Co-constructive Tool

Co-construction is a distinctive approach where the emphasis is on collaborative work which includes interactional process such as cooperation and coordination among the learners. Learners can use co-constructive tools to work cooperatively to develop knowledge instead of working individually. Co-constructive tool are applications that support the construction of knowledge through a shared understanding that is collaboratively consolidating ideas. It in fact supports the constructivist and social constructivist paradigms of constructive learning.

Co-constructive tool includes Google docs, electronic whiteboard, blogs and wiki, discussion forum like Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) that we use are some of the examples of tools which we can use to co-construct our knowledge. I felt, it is imperative to integrate such tool in the field of education and educate students on such tool to create an avenue for the learners for collaborative work whereby they can co-edit other’s work, communicate to share ideas which in turn promote collaborative learning. In a way, learners are involved in series of cognitive process like explanation, problem finding and problem solving. Here, learning becomes more active and intentional as students participate to edit, refine and construct their work.

Co-construction is the concept that students can use to help them learn from one another and expand their knowledge. One way of effective co-construction is through the use of Google docs. For example, working collaboratively on creating lesson plan via Google docs. It was quite interesting and a new experience for me to work on assignment collaboratively with my group members. It was very helpful as it created active interaction among the members, whereby we were able to generate new knowledge through shared understanding, formative feedbacks, discussion, and editing friend’s work on the spot. Moreover, I found myself commenting, providing feedbacks, and receiving formative feedbacks from the group members as well which helped us to produce a good quality lesson plan. 

The most interesting thing about this tool is we need not have to come together physically rather we can do it from anywhere. Not only does co-construction among learners assist them to learn better but it also help them to develop relationship with peers and teachers. Facebook and blog is another way of using co-constructive tool where participant post and comment one another’s work which helps to improve the quality of work. For example, posting a video on Facebook and publishing blog helped me not only to refine my post after receiving formative feedbacks from the tutor and mates but also I found myself supplementing and providing feedbacks on my friends work enhancing collaborative teaching and learning.

I believe ICT serve as a teacher’s tool in the sense that the teacher use ICT tools as their instructional materials in supplementing the cognitive development of the learners. It has a great advantage for both the teacher and the learners; for educator it facilitate their instructional methods and for the learners it contributes a lot in their learning experiences. Thus, ICT tools are also transformational tools which, when used appropriately, can promote the shift to a learner centered environment.

The link given below will take you through the lesson plan that we worked on collaboratively using Google Docs
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mZVDbw4iaTHLMQaq8bUqUID2Xk92jn_SJWd6QAKIDec/edit?ts=5eb4329b