Class 7 Chapter 5

Modeling With Technologies

This chapter was looking at concept maps, databases, spreadsheets, and Expert Systems as a way of taking a student further with technology. Students move from more passive learners taught by technology to teaching and modeling their understanding through technology. Technology becomes a medium and a tool in the classroom.

I've thought of, and done, much of what was discussed, especially with concept maps and spreadsheets. I have two points that I would like to make, if I may. First, I love the Expert Systems because it takes students from a constructive ways of thinking to formal ways of thinking. What would it be like to form these systems around basic skills and as a result cement the skills. Students would be naturally lead to think higher order questions related to the implications the systems produce. Second, I am endlessly frustrated with students abilities, rather, a lack there of, to collect, organized, and interpret information. Forget about them having a opinion, they can't even access the information. I wonder if we don't spend too much time in Formal mode. Perhaps teacher should write constructive lessons that have incidental inroads to higher level thinking. And let me just point out that it is not at all unusual for a person to never become a formal operational thinker.

Yes, people build models and tell stories. Why not enhance this reality with technology. Perhaps though, and especially with elementary education, we should focus on pre-formal-operational lessons that can lead to more.