Inquiry-based Learning

As we all know that a good teacher always wants to improve his teaching methods and techniques, besides having mastery of his/her subject before anything else. In addition, as an elementary school teacher I can say that children have different strategies for learning and achieving their goals. In this paper I will talk about one of these learning strategies which is "Inquiry based learning".

According to what I have learned in the ICT2 class, I can define the inquiry-based learning, as that it is the approach where the students learn through asking questions, gathering information and ideas, examining relevant issues (big ideas), and making systematic attempts to answer the questions they have identified. The questions and possible answers may lead to possible actions.

Unfortunately, our traditional educational system has worked in a way that discourages the natural process of inquiry. Memorizing facts and information is not the most important skill in today's world. Through the process of inquiry, individuals construct much of their understanding of the natural and human-designed worlds. Inquiry based learning is not just asking questions, but it is a way of converting data and information into useful knowledge. A useful application of inquiry based learning involves many different factors, which are, a different level of questions, a focus for questions, a framework for questions, and a context for questions.

In conclusion, I can say that a good teacher's worksheet enables the student to increase its study skills by providing different ways of viewing the world, communicating with it, and successfully introducing new questions and issues of daily life and finding answers of them.

Student-Centered Learning (Advantages and Disadvantages on the Student)

In this reflection, I will continue talking about the student-centered concept. Student-centered learning has advantages and disadvantages for both students and teachers, but here I will discuss this issue from the student perspective. As we know, in this approach, the responsibility of learning is basically depends on the student. Student-centered learning focuses on how students learn, what they experience, what they bring to the classroom and how they engage.

There are many advantages for student-centered approach on the student. First of all, students learn how to learn through discovery, inquiry, and problem solving. Beside developing student learning, they also develop other skills that will help them through their life, such as: the communicational and team work skills, since they are cooperating, negotiating and working all together in the class. In addition, they develop tolerance, understanding and respect of other’s opinions by listening carefully to each other. Since all the students are involved in the learning process, they become more confident and independent.

In contrast, there are many disadvantages of this approach as well. The students might find the problem of misconception, when they prepare themselves for the class. They sometimes read some ideas or concepts and construct the wrong knowledge in their minds. This why, it would be better if the teacher explain the materials on the CD, or give the students the material in a clear and easy way. Moreover, some of the students do not like such way in learning, because they love to learn in alternative ways and styles like what the teacher does in the traditional classes. Furthermore, some students do not have the team work skills. This why, they may complain about being on teams. I suggest giving the student some session to teach them the team work skills at the beginning of the semester to overcome such problem.

 I think that the student centered learning can be really an opportunity for those students who love to be fully involved in the learning and teaching processes in the class.

Student Centered Approach (Advantages and Disadvantages on the Teacher)

Among the greatest of all services that can be rendered by men to Almighty God, is the education. The learning style is one of the important concepts that deserve to talk about deeply. The term student-centered learning became widely used in the teaching and learning literature. But most of people, especially here in Bahrain, still do not believe in this approach and its effectiveness. This why, they rarely use it. In this reflection I will talk about some advantages and problems that the teacher may encounter when using this approach according to what I have learned in ICT2 class.

First of all, the teacher will have less traditional work to do in the class, so the teacher focus will be on building the student confidence, self-esteem, and strong relationship with the student. In addition, complains about unfairness will absolutely decrease since everyone in the class is involved in the learning process. Furthermore, teaching will be more interesting and fun for the teacher, because it is not going to be only passing knowledge but also student and teacher experiences are exchanged. On the other hand, there might be some problems that the teacher may face when using this approach. One of the most important problems is that the teacher might not be trained to teach the students the team skills. In fact, it is not difficult to overcome such problem. There are a lot of programs, articles or books that can help the teacher to be better in teaching team skills. Moreover, there can be some disruption in the class since it is based on student cooperation. To avoid such problem, the teachers must have the class management skills. In fact, this can be easily acquired even by observing other experienced teachers.

This is what I wanted to explain briefly about the student-centered approach and its impact on the teacher.

Computer as Tutor, Tutee, and Mind Tool

As we all know that the computer becomes the core element in facilitating a lot of applications every where in our life. Banks, companies, universities, ministries, schools, etc. They depend on the computers in accomplishing all the tasks. Computers seem to be everywhere. Nowadays, we can not imagine our life without them. In the following paper I will discuss the modes of using computers in education according to what I have learned in teaching and learning ICT 2.  

First of all, the computer can be used as tutor, tutee, and mind tool in education. When the computer is used as a tutor. It gives the student the subject and waits for the response, and then the tutor evaluates the student response to go for the next task. In addition, when the computer is used as a tutee, the learner here taught the computer something by programming it. On the other hand, the computer is used as a tool, and here the computer is used in providing functionalities that can make the learner easier.

                                           

As a software engineer, I enjoy using a computer as a tutee. As a teacher I save effort, time and energy when I find an appropriate software as a tutor. As an individual I can not imagine the world without a computer as a tool!

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About me

Welcome ...

I'm Ebtesam Salem Mohammed, I am 23 years old. I was born in Riffa in 19^th of September, 1988. I live with my family in a big house in East Riffa. I am married, and I have one daughter. My daughter name is Alhanoof. She is one year old. I love food, and I like to taste all types of food. I am interested in computer science, swimming, and playing tennis.  

I had my bachelor degree from University College of Bahrain (Canadian University before) in 2006 in Software Engineering with the 3.96 grad point average. Before this, I was sent by the ministry of education to study medicine in King A.Aziz University in Jeddah in Saudi, but I left and came back to Bahrain. After I finished my studying I was accepted in the Ministry of Education, and I have been working in teaching for two years in an elementary school. Now, I am joining the post graduate diploma in education program in BTC (Bahrain Teachers College).I am really happy to have this opportunity. I am a hard working and dedicated student. I am friendly and sociable, and I love to work with others in groups.

My dream in life is to see peace and love everywhere in the world.