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How do you envision discovery learning as part of your teaching and curriculum?

With discovery learning, a student has the freedom to make almost all decisions in regard to their assignment or project. In the assignment we did today, we were to try to convince “Mr. Widget” to expand his business to another country. We were able to pick any Pacific Rim country we thought would be best and were able to approach it however we saw fit. Without even knowing it, we learned about the country’s culture, economy, government, and other aspects. But most importantly, it was enjoyable. I think this could be a great tool for grade school students. If a student has the freedom to make many of the decisions in regard to their assignment, they are more interested and therefore more invested. This could potentially eliminate complaints of boredom as the student is in control. Additionally, if they learn within an area of interest, I believe they will retain the embedded lessons better.

Beliefs

I believe that technology can help enhance learning in the classroom, but that learning is not dependent on it. Additionally, I believe that technology should never be a replacement for a human. But I think some people can learn better through use of technology. For instance, just like some people thrive when working with people, others do better working independently. Perhaps for those who do better independently, technology can give them what they cannot get from a “real” human. In the third grade classroom I interned in, the technology I really believed we used the most was a document camera. We used it constantly. We also used the internet for math games and for doing research. Additionally, we used the laptop computer with the document camera at times. I think technology has supported the learning, but the classroom was never dependent on technology. We could manage without it. But it was helpful to enhance certain lessons or projects.