Monday, July 9, 2012

Week Two Assignment: DISCUSSION: Meaningful Learning


1.    What is meaningful learning (Integrating book, p. 51)? 
“According to Ausubel (1963), meaningful learning occurs when new experiences are related to what a learner already knows. It can be contrasted with rote learning, which Ausubel describes as the learning of a sequence of words with little attention to meaning, as in simple memorization. In both cases learners are processing information, but their mental activities are quite different. Meaningful learning assumes that: 1) Students already have some knowledge that is relevant to their new learning. 2) Students are willing to do the mental work required to find connections with what they already know. “

2.    How can technology be useful in this endeavor, whether business/training, workshops, K-12 or higher education? Please give 2-3 examples. (See Emma Winder's class discussion, 6th grade teacher in Aukland, NZ, 2012; Ausubel's Meaningful Learning Versus Rote Learning).