Virtual session 2:

Virtual session 2-Different learning methods

And our topic was ‘what do terms progressive inquiry and project based learning mean? Ok what do these terms mean? I am hearing the term ‘progressive inquiry’ for the first time and I can only guess what project-based learning means. First I did what most humans do: google search and WIKIPEDIA. Boy what would I have done if it does not exist? I found the definition referring to the article by Kai Hakkarainen etal from the university of Helsinki. I went through the link at the university:

http://www.helsinki.fi/science/networkedlearning/eng/delete.html - pi

This model is new for me and the the method too, as I am a biologist believing in facts, proofs and experimental evidence. Here I read abstract things and try to imbibe them. I was anxious, as I was not able to figure out many ideas by the writer and how this has to be applied in vocational education? I was looking for more guidance. My group mates discussed these at length but we could meet only a few times as we all had other duties to perform. I prepared some slides and Satu made the IVideo trailer. That was a very nice innovative tool. Although we had mixed reviews from the Ivettains and tutors about the relevance of the video in the presentation, I thought it was perfect to begin the session on a lighter note. We also used popplet for the brainstorming session after the presentation. This idea was great according to us as we can see what each person thought at the beginning of the discussion which would have been lost as 'sound waves' otherwise. This was also received with mixed reviews from the groups but hey, we applied a new method of brainstorming that we learned at the Edutech bootcamp!

Here is the discussion from our breakout 

Our presentation was followed by a deliciously delicious presentation about the implementation of progressive inquiry and project-based learning. They chose the practical example of making chocolate to take us though their topic. I understand that may be both PI and project-based learning are slightly different. But to understand them better I atleast need thorough reading. I usually understand anything if there is a practical example. Their idea working for me perfectly! I also understood that these are cyclic processes of learning.

Saturn had the topic about ‘How lecturing can be enriched in virtual learning?’ now I probably get an idea of the session: first about the two topics, then how they are implemented in learning and finally how can the lecturing in VL enriched? So how? Depends on what we are teaching in my opinion. When we were in the Edutech Bootcamp, we went to the carpentry department and the fashion designing or tailoring department. They mentioned that they do not use any cutting edge technology in their learning. So it really depends.

The motive behind the whole session is to get flow from one topic to another. But we are all so different individuals and every persons learning is unique. This applies to the students in a class be-it vocational or regular, so it is based on the situation that I would try to apply these pedagogical methods in my teaching (if I become a teacher).

All the presentations went well and I had some technological problems with my computer again, the processor gets hot due to the long virtual session and takes time-off to cool. But I was there for most of the time and happy.