Reflection on Student-Centred Learning Environments & Activities

What I already know
From my reading of Connecting Student Learning and Technology, I know that a good implementation of ICT in the classroom supports both independent learning and collaboration. I also know that ICT can play the role of a resource tool, a workstation, or a communication channel. When implemented well, it encourages both active and reflective experiences, empowering traditionally under-served populations with the use of braille and speech software.

What I want to learn
What I want to learn is how to create a learning environment so that ICT can be used effectively and productively to foster student learning.

What I learned this week
I learnt that creating a conducive environment for student learning with the use of ICT is not necessarily rocket science. Sometimes it is as simple as giving clear instructions, assigning roles to students when they are doing group work, electing an IT representative to help with technical problems, telling students where to sit, and modeling appropriate behaviour.

I also learnt that it is better when teachers plan lessons with the assumption that the students are creative, intelligent people with a reservoir of prior knowledge, rather than be frightened that the students will learn nothing if they were not spoon-fed with content.

Through watching the four videos, I observed that the lack of computers is not an obstacle to having a good ICT lesson. It is possible to craft a good lesson even if there is only one computer in the classroom. This is encouraging especially when the schools are not always as well-equipped as we would like them to be.

What questions I still have
How can ICT be used to create an environment where students of different levels of ability can learn at their own pace? What research has been done on the disadvantages of ICT?