Learning+Model+Comparison

Learning Model Comparison by Laauren Mansfield and Jessica Oetinger
 * **Comparison Criteria ** || **Generative Learning ** || **Play ** ||
 * Student Centeredness || Student is an active participant that “interacts” with subject matter to develop understanding of meaning and relationships between subjects || Student is the focus; they get to determine what they are going to say, do, and with whom they are going to play with. ||
 * Ease of Implementation || Implementation would involve creating lesson plans where the students can chart/explore relationships. Teacher launches the students to create their own meaning. || Implementation would include creating lessons that allowing for play. Along with this, the teacher would need to ensure there are several types of play activities to ensure the children get to choose. Not only that, but the teacher must also decide what “type” of play they wish to offer; such as scaffolding, teacher play, and student choice. ||
 * Use of 21st Century Skills || This model can be paired nicely with the technologies of today. In fact, the use of site elements, organized sites, and network elements are suggested for use as a resource. || There are a lot of opportunities to incorporate technology into student play. Students use their 5 senses to learn. ||
 * Assessment || Assessment will mostly consist on formative assessment. It would be difficult to put a score on the meaning created by a child. || Assessment will be formative assessment. The teacher will observe and then use that information to guide further learning. ||

 When we attended school we were never given the opportunity to create our own meanings or just play. Rather our learning consisting of sitting in a desk and listening to the teacher tell us what things were and what they meant. The idea that appealed to us about these different types of learning models was that the student was at the center of the learning rather than the teacher. Play and generative learning are similar but also quite different.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Learning Model Comparison Article **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> When comparing the two, it is easy to see the similarities. First off, both the generative learning model and the play model are very student centered. Both models place the child at the center and focus on the child finding their own meanings and connections of the material. However, generative learning is based on the teacher presenting the subject matter and then letting the students make meaning, while the play model is all about the child’s choice. Another similarity both these models have is the type of assessment. Since both of these model focus on the child and the act of them making their own meanings and choices, the main type of assessment will be formative. We can agree with this because how can you tell a student that their self assigned meanings or choices are wrong? You can’t, and therefore the assessment needs to be based around observations and then tailoring the learning activities to the behaviors observed <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> The major differences to us between these two activities were the ease of implementation and the 21st century skills. In terms of implementation we felt both would be easy to include but play learning would take a lot more planning. Generative learning seems to follow basic teaching but rather the teacher needs to provide opportunities for the students to chart/analyze relationships. The play model would require a lot of planning to ensure you have enough choices for all the students to choose something they want and to ensure the students are engaging in the types of play the teacher is hoping to see. Both models also appear to pair with modern day technology very well. However, the types of technology used in each model differ. For generative learning there are only a few types of web based technologies that are beneficial but with play, there are several because it is the child’s choice.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Both models have a time and place in the classroom. We feel that each has their benefits and that with the proper instruction and tools both can enhance the learning environment. We feel students should be allowed to play a role in their education and both these models will allow for this.

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