Book Summaries Chapter 9

Reading chapter 9 was a very eye-opening expereince for me. I wish that in the first weeks of our class we could have talked about what this chapter is explaining. It surveys various programs and tools that are used to construct open-ended learning environments (OLE).

OLEs emphasize solving meaningful problems, experimenting, interpreting, analyzing the whole rather than parts, taking multiple perspectives on problems, learning from errors, testing and revising knowledge, and usually owrking collaboratively with other learners. They are well-integrated collections of tools, information resources, and sometimes pedagogical supports that facilitate learning in flexible, somewhat learner-controlled, and motivating ways.

An OLE program is one that permits learning in natural and flexible ways. Learners and instructors can bend or modify them to accomplish a variety of goals and use them in conjunction with other on-line and off-line learning materials.

The chapter explained examples of OLE like Jasper Woodbury, CSILE, Earth Trails, Rainforest Researchers, and Pueblo Lindo. I think it will be very beneficial for students starting this course to learn and practice using these e-learning programs to get a feel of what is being used in education today. It is also very meaningful when they know that many professors like Dr. Hannafin and Dr. Rieber are on the forefront of researching these methodolgies and working on projects that are based on OLE and other learning tools.

I hope in EDIT6210 we get to develop meaningful projects like these examples shown in this chapter.