Evaluating Different Types of Learning Strategies - Essay Example

CIMT 534 Chapter 4 Differentiate between teacher-centered and centered learning strategies. There are different types of learning strategies in the contemporary environment. Different institutions have different viewpoints with regard to the learning strategy to incorporate. There are two major types of learning strategies. One of the most recognized and widespread learning strategies is the teacher centered learning strategy. The other type of learning strategy is the student centered learning strategy. The teacher centered learning strategy focuses solely on the teacher preparing content to deliver to the students through lectures meant to get to a huge group of students at the same time. In this kind of classroom, the teacher is the only one supposed to talk and it is the responsibility of the students to listen. Student centered learning has the focus shifting from the teacher to the student where the student has the responsibility of taking partial control over the learning process. 2. Compare and contrast the advantages and limitations of ten types of learning strategies.   There are certain advantages that come from both the learning strategies. For the teacher-centered mode of learning, some of the advantages include the fact that the classroom is always orderly and thus offering a quality environment. Since the teacher has the responsibility of directing the students, he/she does not have to worry about the students missing a particular topic. There are some downsides to this mode of learning (Smaldino, Lowther, & Russell, 2012). One of the disadvantages of incorporating this method of learning is the fact that it may lead to poor development in communication skills among the students since they are not allowed to work together. In these institutions, it is normal for the students to lack in concentration and this leads to their minds wondering and the consequent of this is the student failing in particular topics. Student-centered mode of learning also has its advantages in the contemporary environment. One of the major advantages of this method of learning is that the students get to develop effective communication skills that will assist them later on in life. Students also learn to ask questions at the points where they do not understand and this is vital for their understanding of the various topics. Students get interest further in the topics and this is because students are interested in activities in situations where they can interact with fellow students. One of the disadvantages of this mode of learning is the fact that the students may develop an ignorant nature and even disrespect the teacher out of the much freedom offered. The classrooms are also very noisy. Since the teacher does not offer all the required instructions, some students may fail to grasp them. 3. Describe how to select technology and media that facilitates learning experiences. In order to select the best technology to facilitate learning experience it is advisable to go through some of the major issues that take place in the contemporary environment. One of the issues to understand is with regard to cyber-security (Smaldino, Lowther, & Russell, 2012). Cyber-security is an aspect that ought to be integrated since it assists the students and protects them from cyber-hackers and other forms of cybercrime. Ease of usage is another issue that ought to be considered. This is vital to ensure that fairness is maintained both for students that have experience in computers and for those that are inexperienced. 4. List the advantages and limitations of integrating free and inexpensive materials into instruction.  One of the advantages of installing inexpensive materials is the fact that during the initial days, the amount of funds to be used for the maintenance and purchase of the commodity is naturally low and this is because of the vast advertisements made with regard to the commodity. However, a disadvantage comes after several months or years of usage and this is because the commodity starts to have faults and the repair of the commodity is generally high. It is thus appropriate to state that the disadvantage of integrating such material is the high costs of maintenance. Another disadvantage of such commodities is the fact there are many people that will have negative issues with the connection if for example it is an internet connection. The area around the learning institutions may file complains stating that the internet is disrupting phone-lines in the surrounding. Chapter 5 There are different methods of integrating information technology products such as computers in the learning curriculum. One of the ways through which an institution can integrate computers in the curriculum is through introduction of the computer course in the institution. With this course, there is the incorporation of computers into the institution and through coordinated lessons; the school will have a well working computer centre. Another manner through which an institution can incorporate computers into the curriculum is through the lecturer using projectors to teach (Smaldino, Lowther, & Russell, 2012). Despite the fact that projectors are not directly computers, the working mechanism is the same and through projectors, presentation can be viewed even better and given the manner in which students are excited about technology, they will pay attention and consequently pass well in the exams. There are different types of software that can be used in a classroom. One of the software that can be used in a classroom is Microsoft word that is effective for writing assignments. Microsoft PowerPoint is effective in making presentations. To make posters there is Microsoft Publisher. For making calculations, there is Microsoft Excel. Microsoft Access is vital software in a classroom for it assists in opening various databases vital to a lesson. There are different issues that arise with the incorporation of computers in a classroom. There are different advantages and disadvantages that come from this. One of the advantages is the fact that the computer is a 21st century commodity and thus the students are interested in it and will make the learning process easier with regard to concentration. Another advantage is the fact that the computer equips the students with information technology skills critical in future employments. However, there are disadvantages that come from the introduction and one of these is having the students learning negative aspects such as pornography. Another disadvantage that comes from the introduction of computers is the fact that these children may spend many hours on the internet rather than researching academic material. An instructional situation for the use of computer resources to support learning is in the study of history. The setting is that the students should be in a large theatre. The topic ought to be the Second World War. Audience is the students. Content of the material is war videos. The rationale of using this media format is by streaming war videos directly from the internet and projecting them to the large screen in front of the classroom. Reference Smaldino, S., Lowther, D., & Russell, J. (2012). Instructional technology and media for learning (10th ed.). Upper Saddle River, N.J: Pearson. Read More