CONSTRUCTIVE TOOL

  CONSTRUCTIVE TOOL

source: slideshare.net

         The constructive tool is one of the learning tools that can be used to manipulate information, construct own knowledge or visualize understanding of any content as the learner. The computer itself can be used for manipulating information, visualizing one’s understanding, and building new knowledge. Constructivism believes in the personal construction of meaning by the learner through experiences in exploring the technology. Therefore, integrating ICT in every class plays a vital role in developing students towards creative and useful resources in society.  

        

          As emphasized by Piaget and Bruner, learning is more effective when a student is made to construct their understanding as it develops critical thinking, retention power, and even motivates independent learners. It is basically leading towards student-centered pedagogy whereby learners are made to take an active role in their learning. In this tool, learners are given more opportunities to explore their learning through research using a wide range of resources on the net. Technology makes learners more visual and creative thinkers by exploring deeper than their existing knowledge.  

Example of Constructive tools 

 1. Concept mapping  

source: pt.slideshare.net

 It helps learners brainstorm and visualize their understanding to make the concept lively and it even helps in drawing relationships among collected concepts. 

 

 2. Desktop publishing program

It is the creation of documents using page layout software on a personal desktop. It helps in organizing and presenting the ideas in attractive forms. 

 3. MS Office program

source: en.wikipedia.org

source: javaclue.org

 It is a set of interrelated desktop applications, servers, and services, collectively known as an office. They are, excels, words, power points, and publishers which are used to create useful work like; organizing, recording, manipulating, and presenting the ideas in an attractive way. It can be in the form of memos, reports, letters, and presentations where information was presented. 


My experience and usefulness of it in learning.

So far I was frequently using ICT as constructive tools like in preparing PowerPoint presentations, creating short videos and editing in some modules, using word office, excel, and other programs while doing assignments. However, I only came to know that those programs are authentically used as constructive tools after attending the ICT lesson. Moreover, I even learned other constrictive tools called simulation which actually burdened me without enough knowledge to use it effectively and efficiently. However, I understood that simulation is one of the effective constructive tools where we can put lots of information in graphic, audio, and even video form to make the concept clear to the audience. So, we can even use this type of tool in giving information to students so that we can make the lesson more engaging and boost their interest in the learning.

These types of tools are very useful in schools where it can be used for teaching any lesson on a daily basis as a teaching and learning material or as one of the lesson components. For example, the use of simulated videos related to the topic will make the lesson more understandable and moreover, learners will love to learn from it. Likewise, letting student make a PowerPoint presentation and letting them present will motivate their learning and becomes active learners. When we let them use these MS programs, they are learning by constructing their knowledge using the correct tools and helps in becoming self-directed learners.