How can authentic learning tools improve student engagement and deepen learning? What does the apprenticeship model tell us about learning? (5/19)

It goes without saying that the 21^st century learner is tech savvy and in fact continuously connected electronically. Educators are recognizing that the best way to reach these learners is through the constructivist model of “doing rather that listening”.

The X-Box, Nintendo, text message, ipod, and Youtube generation understands and utilizes technology for their learning. They often get their news; learn new dances and journal their life experiences on Youtube, Blogs, Facebook or Myspace, rather than newspapers, magazines or even television.

Educators must recognize that integrating technology in the traditional curriculum creates authentic learning experience for the 21^st century student. Even more, the new generation of educators, 21^st century learners themselves, recognizes the value of web based, interactive curriculums. These applications provide simulated authentic learning experiences. An excellent example of interactive learning is a program called Froguts. Froguts allows the learner to dissect a frog, squid or owl pellet virtually. This authentic learning experience allows the learner to really engage in the process, unlike the real life experiment, it allows the learner to make errors, which then allows the learner to do it multiple times, until they have a true understanding of the concept, rather than the “one shot”, hands on classroom experiments.

The constructivist model is in fact an apprenticeship model which is based on learning while doing. This model goes back many centuries and in all cultures. Knowledge, culture and traditions are passed on from old to young, from expert to novice. This model exists in many professional arenas such as student teacher/mentor teacher, medical resident-intern/physician. Vygotsky’s, Zone of Proximal development defines our apprenticeship learning even in the early stage of childhood development. Cognitive apprenticeship describes a learning environment where students learn form teacher in a constructivist learning model. Brent would tell you that in teaching his students skills such as horse shoeing or welding, he practices and apprenticeship model or cognitive apprenticeship