The Best Ideas Arise from a Passionate Interest in Commonplace Things

The best ideas arise from a passionate interest in commonplace things Mankind has demonstrated a profound ability to draw inspiration from even the most mundane situations and surroundings. Throughout history, the commonplace has often spurred uncommon achievements for impassioned thinkers including Archimedes, Leonardo da Vinci and Isaac Newton. In modern times, the scientific community increasingly gleans groundbreaking ideas from the natural world in the emerging field of biomimicry.Archimedes’ eureka moment in the bath is the stuff of legend, but it is unlikely the great mathematician and inventor would have delivered the famed remark without pursuing his profound interest in hydrodynamics and the intertwined relationships of buoyancy and displacement. On one hand, water was (and remains) a ubiquitous presence for the seafaring Greeks. Likewise, anyone who has watched a child in the bathtub can relate to the simple joys it affords.Archimedes eponymous principle, however, t ook a natural interest in water and floating bodies several steps further to determine whether a crown was made of solid gold and better define the laws of physics. Leonardo da Vinci, the archetypal Renaissance Man, was unquestionably inspired by commonplace things throughout his feverishly productive life. One must look no further than the genius’s manuscripts and notebooks for evidence that da Vinci was intensely curious about some of the world’s most ordinary elements.Studies of the human body, certainly among the most familiar of forms, are likely the master’s most replicated composition. Perhaps it is no coincidence the Italian’s Vitruvian Man pen-and-ink sketch ranks among the most well-known and reproduced drawings in the world. Whether Leonardo’s passion and interest in reproducing the human body contributed to his other innovations and inventions beyond art is difficult to assess, but one thing is certain: da Vinci’s unquenchable th irst for knowledge of his earthly surroundings was inextricably tied to his ability to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.The unlikely course of events that lead Isaac Newton to formulate the theory of gravity offers an example of a revolutionary idea spurred by something as banal as a piece of fruit. â€Å"What is the invisible force that causes an apple to fall to the ground? † the great thinker wondered. While some have disputed the veracity of Newton’s apple incident, there is no doubting the role the everyday world played in conjunction with Newton’s observant and contemplative mind.While the laws of motion took years to fully devise and compose, there is perhaps no better illustration of the nascent brilliance the human mind is capable of revealing when awakened by the natural elements. Many of the world’s leading contemporary minds continue to find inspiration in their environs. Over the last decade, the scientific community has become m ore willing to turn to nature for answers to difficult questions. As it turns out, potentially outstanding ideas have often been tested and confirmed or rejected by the flora and fauna all around us through natural selection, according to pioneers in the biomimicry field.Proponents of biomimicry have studied humpback whale flippers as a means to improve wind turbine performance and plant leaves as a model for â€Å"green cleaning† process that some paints and building materials now incorporate. Clearly there is much still to be learned from nature. It has been a long time coming, but it appears many in the world are prepared to accept that the best ideas arise from a passionate interest in commonplace things. Perhaps necessity is not the true mother of invention – history demonstrates that inquiring minds and Mother Nature herself more often inspire greatness.

Inmates Welfare and Development

Chapter 1 THE RESEARCH PROBLEMIntroductionThe Bureau of Jail Management and Penology envisions itself as a dynamic institution highly regarded for its sustained humane safekeeping and development of inmates. This is indeed a very noble vision which has guided the institution over the last 20 years. With this, the Bureau aims to enhance public safety by providing humane safekeeping and development of inmates.In line with the vision, the Bureau endeavors to formulate policies and guidelines in the administration of all district, city and municipal jails nationwide, provide for the basic needs of inmates, and conduct activities for the development of inmates to ultimately improve their living conditions in accordance with the accepted standards set by the United Nations. Our Constitution provides that any person accused of committing a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.Thus, a person charged with a crime should not be denied of his freedom to choose and li ve at par with other innocent people who are not incarcerated, unless there is a good reason. In connection to this, the government is a party to several Geneva Conventions such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, to name a few.Our government’s formal commitment to principles of human rights and international humanitarian law has been translated into various local laws and foremost is the 1987 Philippine Constitution which has often been referred to as the Human Rights Constitution. However, in spite of all these international and local laws, the government is still unable to comply with its obligations because of very limited resources. As a result, most of our jails are unpleasant and dehumanizing.It dwells stress, boredom and can even harm the individuals and their visiting families in countless ways. It is therefore a great challenge on the part of the administration of the BJM P to efficiently and effectively utilize its resources in the implementation of its mandate. And to address the increasing and recurring problems inside detention facilities not to mention the different personalities and varied needs of inmates, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology has intensified the implementation of the Inmates Welfare and Development Program.Theoretical Framework This study is anchored on the Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs which states that if motivation is driven by the existence of unsatisfied needs, then it is worthwhile for a manager to understand which needs are more important for every individual under his/her management. In this regard, Abraham Maslow developed a model in which basic, low-level needs such as physiological requirements and safety must be satisfied before higher-level needs such as self-fulfillment are pursued.In this hierarchical model, when a need is mostly satisfied, it no longer motivates and the next higher need takes its pla ce. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is shown in the following diagram:Figure 1. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs The Physiological Needs are those required to sustain life, such as air, water, nourishment, and sleep. According to Maslow’s theory, if such needs are not satisfied then one’s motivation will arise from the quest to satisfy them. Higher needs such as social needs and esteem are not felt until one has met the needs basic to one’s bodily functioning.For the Safety Need, once physiological needs are met, one’s attention turns to safety and security in order to be free from the threat of physical and emotional harm. Such needs might be fulfilled by living in a safe area, medical insurance, job security and financial reserves. According to Maslow’s hierarchy, if a person feels that he or she is harm’s way, higher needs will not receive much attention. Then once a person has met the lower level of physiological and safety needs, h igher level needs become important, the first of which are Social Needs.Social needs are those related to interaction with other people and may include need for friends, need for belonging, need to give and receive love. Then, once a person feels a sense of â€Å"belongingness†, the need to feel important arises. Esteem Needs may be classified as internal or external. Internal esteem needs are those related to self-esteem such as self-respect and recognition. Some esteem needs are self-respect, achievement, attention, recognition, and reputation.Maslow later refined his model to include a level between esteem needs and self-actualization: the need for knowledge and aesthetics. Next is the Self-actualization Need, it is the summit of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. It is the quest of reaching one’s full potential as a person. Unlike lower level needs, this need is never fully satisfied; as one grows psychologically, there are always new opportunities to continue to grow. Self-actualized people tend to have needs such as truth, justice, wisdom, and meaning.Self-actualized persons have frequent occurrences of peak experiences, which are energized moments of profound happiness and harmony. According to Maslow, only a small percentage of the population reaches the level of self-actualization. This study was based on the above mentioned theory because it is inherent for Jail Officers to safeguard the conditions of inmates inside jails and to develop their personalities. Jail Officers have a major role to help these individuals help themselves for them to become a law-abiding member of the society and be a productive one.Hypothesis The different programs, projects and activities of the Inmates Welfare and Development Program of the Laoag City Jail are very relevant to the holistic development, welfare and rehabilitation of the inmates during their incarceration through the efficient implementation of the concerned BJMP personnel. Statement of the Pr oblem The study aimed to assess the implementation of the Inmates Welfare and Development Program at Laoag City jail.Specifically, it sought to answer the following questions:1.What are the different programs, projects and activities being undertaken at the Laoag City Jail to address the welfare and development of the inmates?2. Who are responsible in the implementation of the different programs, projects and activities of the IWD Section?3. How does the jail administration source out funds to realize and implement the various programs, projects and activities of the IWD Program?4. What is/are the perception/s of the inmates on the implementation of the different programs, projects and activities undertaken by the IWD Section in terms of 2. Relevance; and 2. 2 Efficiency5. Are the programs, projects and activities of the IWDP effective in advancing the welfare and development of the inmate s during their incarceration? Significance of the Study This study shall be beneficial to the following: The Lawmakers. The result of this study would help our lawmakers in crafting and promulgating laws to improve the living conditions of persons deprived of liberty and promote the general welfare and development of these inmates. The Jail Bureau.The outcome of the study would be of great help to the top management of the Bureau in drawing out and formulating programs and policies for the strict implementation of the IWD Program. The Inmates. The welfare and condition of inmates is the primordial concern of the BJMP. The insights provided in this study will serve as a basis to enhance their situation while being incarcerated conforming to the United Nation’s standard in the treatment of Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL). The Community.The community which is composed of the families, the academe, various government and non-government organizations, cause-oriented groups, several religious groups and other capable and concerned private individuals who are actively supp orting the programs of the Bureau would use this study as a stepping stone towards building lasting partnership with the BJMP, working together as one, sharing a collective, comprehensive and a holistic approach to help the plights of the PDLs. The Researchers.Other than for the compliance for the requirement of the course, this work would satisfy the healthy and curious minds of the researchers on the different activities of the inmates during their incarceration. Moreover, the joy of sharing a humble contribution for the future of BJMP and its clientele is a joy so profound. This paper would also serve as a guide along the way for the researchers who have the same concern and passion for a humane safekeeping and development of inmates and might consider working and building a career with BJMP. Scope and Delimitations of the StudyThe study deals with the determination of the different programs projects and activities undertaken by the Inmates Welfare and Development Section of the jail and the different personalities involved in its implementation. It is also geared to establish the perception of the personnel and inmates on the relevance and efficiency of the different programs, projects and activities of the IWD Section of the jail. In the conduct of the interview, it was limited only for the concerned personnel involved in the implementation of the Inmates Welfare and Development Program of the jail.For the inmates as respondents in the survey, a certain number of inmates from each of the eight (8) cells of the jail were included to represent the total number of inmates’ jail population. The Laoag City Jail was chosen to be the locale of the study. It is interesting to note that the Laoag City Jail has won the Best City Jail award in Region 1 for two consecutive years because of the intensified implementation of the IWD Program. It was also nominated as Best City Jail nationwide for the year 2011. Definition of Terms To better understand the study, the following terms are defined operationally and contextually:BJMP. This stands for the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology. Cell. It is a place inside the jail wherein the inmates are confined. City Jail. This refers to the Laoag City Jail which houses detainees awaiting judicial disposition of their cases and prisoners whose sentences ranged from one day to three years. Community. It is a group of interacting people living in a common location. Court Order. This is a legal document or proclamation in which a court orders a person to perform a specific act, prohibits from performing an act, sets a court date, or legally establishes something.Detainee. This refers to the accused person of a crime before a court or competent authority that is temporarily confined in jail undergoing investigation and trials or awaiting for final judgment and conviction. Efficiency. The quality or property of being efficient that is the degree to which this quality is being exercised. Implementatio n. This refers to the carrying out or physical realization of the program. Inmates. This refers to either a prisoner or detainee confined inside jail. IWDP. Inmates Welfare and Development Program Personnel.This refers to a bona fide member of the BJMP. PDL. This refers to persons Deprived of Liberty. These are detainees who are incarcerated pending trial and/or final judgment. It includes all persons who are arrested, detained, imprisoned or otherwise under custody of government authorities. PDLs maybe held in jails, prisons, detention centers, â€Å"lock-ups†, hospitals, rehabilitation centers elsewhere. Relevance. This refers to the applicability or helpfulness of the different programs, projects and activities; applicability to social issues. TCMP. Therapeutic Community Modality Program Inmates Welfare and Development Chapter 1 THE RESEARCH PROBLEMIntroductionThe Bureau of Jail Management and Penology envisions itself as a dynamic institution highly regarded for its sustained humane safekeeping and development of inmates. This is indeed a very noble vision which has guided the institution over the last 20 years. With this, the Bureau aims to enhance public safety by providing humane safekeeping and development of inmates.In line with the vision, the Bureau endeavors to formulate policies and guidelines in the administration of all district, city and municipal jails nationwide, provide for the basic needs of inmates, and conduct activities for the development of inmates to ultimately improve their living conditions in accordance with the accepted standards set by the United Nations. Our Constitution provides that any person accused of committing a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.Thus, a person charged with a crime should not be denied of his freedom to choose and li ve at par with other innocent people who are not incarcerated, unless there is a good reason. In connection to this, the government is a party to several Geneva Conventions such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, to name a few.Our government’s formal commitment to principles of human rights and international humanitarian law has been translated into various local laws and foremost is the 1987 Philippine Constitution which has often been referred to as the Human Rights Constitution. However, in spite of all these international and local laws, the government is still unable to comply with its obligations because of very limited resources. As a result, most of our jails are unpleasant and dehumanizing.It dwells stress, boredom and can even harm the individuals and their visiting families in countless ways. It is therefore a great challenge on the part of the administration of the BJM P to efficiently and effectively utilize its resources in the implementation of its mandate. And to address the increasing and recurring problems inside detention facilities not to mention the different personalities and varied needs of inmates, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology has intensified the implementation of the Inmates Welfare and Development Program.Theoretical Framework This study is anchored on the Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs which states that if motivation is driven by the existence of unsatisfied needs, then it is worthwhile for a manager to understand which needs are more important for every individual under his/her management. In this regard, Abraham Maslow developed a model in which basic, low-level needs such as physiological requirements and safety must be satisfied before higher-level needs such as self-fulfillment are pursued.In this hierarchical model, when a need is mostly satisfied, it no longer motivates and the next higher need takes its pla ce. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is shown in the following diagram:Figure 1. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs The Physiological Needs are those required to sustain life, such as air, water, nourishment, and sleep. According to Maslow’s theory, if such needs are not satisfied then one’s motivation will arise from the quest to satisfy them. Higher needs such as social needs and esteem are not felt until one has met the needs basic to one’s bodily functioning.For the Safety Need, once physiological needs are met, one’s attention turns to safety and security in order to be free from the threat of physical and emotional harm. Such needs might be fulfilled by living in a safe area, medical insurance, job security and financial reserves. According to Maslow’s hierarchy, if a person feels that he or she is harm’s way, higher needs will not receive much attention. Then once a person has met the lower level of physiological and safety needs, h igher level needs become important, the first of which are Social Needs.Social needs are those related to interaction with other people and may include need for friends, need for belonging, need to give and receive love. Then, once a person feels a sense of â€Å"belongingness†, the need to feel important arises. Esteem Needs may be classified as internal or external. Internal esteem needs are those related to self-esteem such as self-respect and recognition. Some esteem needs are self-respect, achievement, attention, recognition, and reputation.Maslow later refined his model to include a level between esteem needs and self-actualization: the need for knowledge and aesthetics. Next is the Self-actualization Need, it is the summit of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. It is the quest of reaching one’s full potential as a person. Unlike lower level needs, this need is never fully satisfied; as one grows psychologically, there are always new opportunities to continue to grow. Self-actualized people tend to have needs such as truth, justice, wisdom, and meaning.Self-actualized persons have frequent occurrences of peak experiences, which are energized moments of profound happiness and harmony. According to Maslow, only a small percentage of the population reaches the level of self-actualization. This study was based on the above mentioned theory because it is inherent for Jail Officers to safeguard the conditions of inmates inside jails and to develop their personalities. Jail Officers have a major role to help these individuals help themselves for them to become a law-abiding member of the society and be a productive one.Hypothesis The different programs, projects and activities of the Inmates Welfare and Development Program of the Laoag City Jail are very relevant to the holistic development, welfare and rehabilitation of the inmates during their incarceration through the efficient implementation of the concerned BJMP personnel. Statement of the Pr oblem The study aimed to assess the implementation of the Inmates Welfare and Development Program at Laoag City jail.Specifically, it sought to answer the following questions:1.What are the different programs, projects and activities being undertaken at the Laoag City Jail to address the welfare and development of the inmates?2. Who are responsible in the implementation of the different programs, projects and activities of the IWD Section?3. How does the jail administration source out funds to realize and implement the various programs, projects and activities of the IWD Program?4. What is/are the perception/s of the inmates on the implementation of the different programs, projects and activities undertaken by the IWD Section in terms of 2. Relevance; and 2. 2 Efficiency5. Are the programs, projects and activities of the IWDP effective in advancing the welfare and development of the inmate s during their incarceration? Significance of the Study This study shall be beneficial to the following: The Lawmakers. The result of this study would help our lawmakers in crafting and promulgating laws to improve the living conditions of persons deprived of liberty and promote the general welfare and development of these inmates. The Jail Bureau.The outcome of the study would be of great help to the top management of the Bureau in drawing out and formulating programs and policies for the strict implementation of the IWD Program. The Inmates. The welfare and condition of inmates is the primordial concern of the BJMP. The insights provided in this study will serve as a basis to enhance their situation while being incarcerated conforming to the United Nation’s standard in the treatment of Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL). The Community.The community which is composed of the families, the academe, various government and non-government organizations, cause-oriented groups, several religious groups and other capable and concerned private individuals who are actively supp orting the programs of the Bureau would use this study as a stepping stone towards building lasting partnership with the BJMP, working together as one, sharing a collective, comprehensive and a holistic approach to help the plights of the PDLs. The Researchers.Other than for the compliance for the requirement of the course, this work would satisfy the healthy and curious minds of the researchers on the different activities of the inmates during their incarceration. Moreover, the joy of sharing a humble contribution for the future of BJMP and its clientele is a joy so profound. This paper would also serve as a guide along the way for the researchers who have the same concern and passion for a humane safekeeping and development of inmates and might consider working and building a career with BJMP. Scope and Delimitations of the StudyThe study deals with the determination of the different programs projects and activities undertaken by the Inmates Welfare and Development Section of the jail and the different personalities involved in its implementation. It is also geared to establish the perception of the personnel and inmates on the relevance and efficiency of the different programs, projects and activities of the IWD Section of the jail. In the conduct of the interview, it was limited only for the concerned personnel involved in the implementation of the Inmates Welfare and Development Program of the jail.For the inmates as respondents in the survey, a certain number of inmates from each of the eight (8) cells of the jail were included to represent the total number of inmates’ jail population. The Laoag City Jail was chosen to be the locale of the study. It is interesting to note that the Laoag City Jail has won the Best City Jail award in Region 1 for two consecutive years because of the intensified implementation of the IWD Program. It was also nominated as Best City Jail nationwide for the year 2011. Definition of Terms To better understand the study, the following terms are defined operationally and contextually:BJMP. This stands for the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology. Cell. It is a place inside the jail wherein the inmates are confined. City Jail. This refers to the Laoag City Jail which houses detainees awaiting judicial disposition of their cases and prisoners whose sentences ranged from one day to three years. Community. It is a group of interacting people living in a common location. Court Order. This is a legal document or proclamation in which a court orders a person to perform a specific act, prohibits from performing an act, sets a court date, or legally establishes something.Detainee. This refers to the accused person of a crime before a court or competent authority that is temporarily confined in jail undergoing investigation and trials or awaiting for final judgment and conviction. Efficiency. The quality or property of being efficient that is the degree to which this quality is being exercised. Implementatio n. This refers to the carrying out or physical realization of the program. Inmates. This refers to either a prisoner or detainee confined inside jail. IWDP. Inmates Welfare and Development Program Personnel.This refers to a bona fide member of the BJMP. PDL. This refers to persons Deprived of Liberty. These are detainees who are incarcerated pending trial and/or final judgment. It includes all persons who are arrested, detained, imprisoned or otherwise under custody of government authorities. PDLs maybe held in jails, prisons, detention centers, â€Å"lock-ups†, hospitals, rehabilitation centers elsewhere. Relevance. This refers to the applicability or helpfulness of the different programs, projects and activities; applicability to social issues. TCMP. Therapeutic Community Modality Program

Constructing On Constructivism The Role Of Technology Education Essay

AbstractionA complementary relationship exists between engineering and constructivism, the execution of each one profiting the other. Constructivism is a philosophy saying that larning takes topographic point in contexts, while engineering refers to the designs and environments that engage scholars. Recent efforts to incorporate engineering in the schoolroom have been within the context of a constructivist model ( e.g. , Richards, 1998 ) . The intent of this paper is to analyze the interrelatedness between constructivism and engineering as revealed by empirical research. The instances include a assortment of surveies in a assortment of scenes – instructor instruction, on-line acquisition, and K-12 instruction ; constructivist schemes include collaborative and concerted acquisition methods, prosecuting in critical and brooding thought, rating through electronic portfolios, and a critical expression at emerging instructor functions within constructivist paradigms. Success has be en reported in the development of constructivist class faculties utilizing engineering as cognitive tools, profiting both pupils and module. However, many instructors do non utilize constructivist patterns, and those who do are non wise in their choice of engineering usage ( Rakes, Flowers, Casey, & A ; Santana, 1999 ) . Technology needs to be viewed in a 3-dimensional position: semiotic, epistemological, and matter-of-fact, enabling the â€Å" building of cognition † by scholars through a procedure of socialization.Introductionâ€Å" Once cognizing is no longer understood as the hunt for an iconic representation of ontological world, but, alternatively, as a hunt for suiting ways of behaving and thought, the traditional job disappears. Knowledge can now be seen as something that the being builds up in the effort to order the as such formless flow of experienceaˆÂ ¦ † von Glasersfeld ( 1984, p. 39 ) The usage of computing machine engineering to back up acquisition has been hard to document and quantify ( Clark, 1994 ; Russell, 1999 ) , go forthing the function of computing machines in the schoolroom unstable. In the past decennary, a sudden revival of involvement was markedly observed in the schoolroom usage of technological inventions, along with the increased usage of the Internet and other digital engineerings ( Reiser, 2002 ) . The field of Instructional Design and Technology, excessively, saw the development and outgrowth of alternate attacks, such as cognitive and constructivist theories, that deviated aggressively from traditional patterns, such as behavioural theoretical accounts. New accents, like electronic public presentation support systems, web-based direction, and knowledge direction systems, non merely agitate the cognition base of the field, but besides widened its skyline across concern and industry, the military, wellness attention and instruction, worldwide ( Reiser, 2002 ) . Enterprises, such as located larning theory and constructivism presented fresh attacks to convey about reforms in the spheres of public instruction and higher instruction ( Anderson, Reder & A ; Simon, 1996 ; Brown, Collins & A ; Duguid, 1989 ; Jonassen, 1999 ; Reiser, 2002 ) . To understand the potency of engineering execution in heightening the teaching-learning procedure, the impact of constructivism on schoolroom patterns has been studied by many research workers ( e.g. , Black & A ; McClintock, 1995 ; Richards, 1998 ; Brush & A ; Saye, 2000 ) . Other research workers have suggested that constructivist schemes exploit engineerings for greatest impact in larning ( e.g. , Duffy & A ; Cunningham, 1996 ) . A complementary relationship appears to be between computing machine engineerings and constructivism, the execution of each one profiting the other. Constructivism, derived chiefly from the plants of Piaget ( 1970 ) , Bruner ( 1962, 1979 ) , Vygotsky ( 1962, 1978 ) , and Papert ( 1980, 1983 ) , is both a philosophical and psychological attack based on societal cognitivism that assumes that individuals, behaviours and environments interact in mutual manner ( Schunk, 2000 ) . Constructivism is a philosophy saying that larning takes topographic point in contexts, and that scholars form or construct much of what they learn and understand as a map of their experiences in state of affairs ( Schunk, 2000 ) . More late, research workers ( e.g. , Lave, 1990 ; Saxe, Guberman & A ; Gearheart, 1987 ) have presented more qualitative certification of larning in context. Technology, harmonizing to Jonassen, Peck, and Wilson ( 1999 ) refers to â€Å" the designs and environments that engage scholars † ( p. 12 ) . The focal point of both constructivism and engineering are so on the creative activity of larning environments. Likewise, Hannfin and Hill ( 2002 ) depict these larning environments as contexts: in which knowledge-building tools ( affordances ) and the agencies to make and pull strings artefacts of understanding are provided, non one in which constructs are explicitly taughtaˆÂ ¦ a topographic point where scholars work together and back up each other as they use a assortment of tools and larning resources in their chase of larning ends and problem-solving activities ( p.77 ) . The intent of this paper is to reexamine the research on the integrating of engineering in the schoolroom, foregrounding the connexion between constructivism and engineering. The focal point is on the constructivist position of larning as an active procedure of building instead than geting cognition, and direction as a procedure that supports building instead than pass oning cognition. The reappraisal is followed by a series of instance surveies, stressing constructivism and engineering ‘s relationship. Finally, deductions for instructors and instructor pedagogues are presented.Review of Related LiteratureIn order to understand larning within a constructivist model, as an activity in context, the whole acquisition environment must be examined. However, the broad diverseness of constructivist positions makes the task really complex and beyond the range of this paper. These positions normally emphasize the function of the instructor, the pupil, and the cultural embeddedness of ac quisition ( see for example, Duffy & A ; Cunningham, 1996 ; Honebein, Duffy, & A ; Fishman, 1993 ; Simons, 1993 ) . Using these commonalties as guidelines, this reappraisal outlines the relationship of constructivism with engineering by looking at ( a ) engineering as cognitive tools, ( B ) constructive position of the thought procedure, and ( degree Celsius ) the function of the instructor in engineering enhanced environments. Technology as Cognitive Tools A cardinal premise of constructivism is that larning is mediated by tools and marks ( Duffy & A ; Cunningham, 1996 ; Ezell & A ; O'Keeffe, 1994 ) . â€Å" Culture creates the tool, but the tool changes the civilization. Participants in the civilization appropriate these tools from their civilization to run into their ends, and thereby transform their engagement in the civilization † ( Duffy & A ; Cunningham, 1996, p. 180 ) . The computing machine is an example of mediational agencies that has facets of both tool and mark. The computing machine ‘s function in instruction has been mostly viewed as an instructional tool and for supplying a richer and more exciting acquisition environment ( Duffy & A ; Cunningham, 1996 ; Jonassen & A ; Reeves, 1996 ; Taylor, 1980 ) . However, by concentrating on the scholar, the function of engineering can back up new apprehensions and capablenesss, therefore, offering a cognitive tool to back up cognitive and metacognitive procedures. For i llustration, an electronic exchange plan between pupils of a category in the U.S. with a similar schoolroom in Northern Ireland shared multiple cultural positions through images, narratives, letters and multimedia plans ( Duffy & A ; Cunningham, 1996 ) . The experience was enriching, increasing their apprehension. Further, clear uping the function of engineering in acquisition, Duffy and Cunningham ( 1996 ) province: Technology is seen as an built-in portion of the cognitive activityaˆÂ ¦.This position of distributed knowledge significantly impacts how we think of the function of engineering in instruction and preparation, the focal point is non on the person in isolation and what he or she knows, but on the activity in the environment. It is the activity – focused and contextualized- that is cardinal†¦ The procedure of building is directed towards making a universe that makes sense to us, that is equal for our mundane operation ( pp. 187-188 ) . Therefore, the undertaking of the scholar is seen as dynamic, and the computing machine makes available new larning chances. The position of engineering as cognitive tools is besides shared by other research workers ( e.g. , Jonassen, 1994 ; Jonassen & A ; Reeves, 1996 ; Lajoie, 2000 ) . The traditional position of instructional engineerings of direction as conveyers of information and communicators of cognition is supplanted with active function the scholar plays in larning with engineering. Technologies, chiefly computing machines, help construct cognition bases, which will â€Å" prosecute the scholars more and ensue in more meaningful and movable knowledgeaˆÂ ¦ Learners map as interior decorators utilizing the engineering as tools for analysing the universe, accessing information, interpretation and forming their personal cognition, and stand foring what they know to others † ( Jonassen, 1994, p. 2 ) . Technological tools such as spreadsheets, databases, adept systems, picture conferencing and others can be used by pupils to analyse capable affair, develop representative mental theoretical accounts, and so transcribe them into cognition bases ( Jonassen, 1994 ; Jonassen & A ; Carr, 2000 ; Jonassen & A ; Reeves, 1996 ) . An illustration is the development of fake microworlds and games by kids utilizing Logo scheduling. Logo scheduling has evolved since the early text-based medium conceived by Seymour Papert and his squad at MIT in the 1970 ‘s, to a well easy, digitized format. Kafai, Ching, and Marshall ( 1997 ) gave an introductory preparation plan to fifth and sixth grade pupils one hebdomad before the design undertakings. The Logo version included support for modern computing machine characteristics like multimedia, sprite life, sounds, films, and pigment tools. Harmonizing to Kafai and her co-workers ( 1997 ) , the multimedia package proved to be a good context for pupils to larn through coaction and undertaking direction. The interaction between squad members, the flow of thoughts and loud thought encouraged the kids to experiment and happen alternate ways for planing and work outing jobs. For illustration, the pupils worked on different characters separately, but so worked together to inc orporate all the characters, and in debugging ( Kafai et al. , 1997 ) . Cognitive tools do non prevent the usage of computing machines to increase productiveness for larning. Off-loading insistent undertakings and lower order undertakings to cognitive tools frees cognitive resources for deeper thought ( Duffy & A ; Cunningham, 1996 ; Jonassen, 1999 ) and reduces mistakes. Harmonizing to Swain and Pearson ( 2001 ) , instructors and pupils must be educated to utilize the computing machine as a productiveness tool, every bit good as a tool for acquisition, research, networking, coaction, telecommunications, and problem-solving. Using computing machines as a productiveness tool is one of the six National Educational Technological Standards ( NETS ) ( hypertext transfer protocol: //cnets.iste.org/ ) for instructors which states that instructors will â€Å" utilize engineering to heighten their productiveness and professional patterns † ( Morrison, Lowther, & A ; DeMeulle, 1999 ) . Constructive position of â€Å" Thinking † The procedure of thought in constructivist paradigms requires higher-order accomplishments, diging deeper and harder into content and context ( Black & A ; McClintock, 1995 ; Jonassen, n.d. ; Manzo, 1998 ; Swain & A ; Pearson, 2001 ) . Traditional schooling, harmonizing to Manzo ( 1998 ) , really discourages constructive believing with ends of conveying bing cognition that conflicts with any existent effort to bring forth new apprehension. â€Å" Constructivist thought combines both the critical and originative rational procedures. It can be practiced by promoting critical analysis in activities. Schools, instructors and pupils can be conditioned to swerve away from traditional schooling regimen to promote constructive thought † ( Manzo, 1998, p. 287 ) . Cognitive tools, along with constructivist larning environments, usher and activate cognitive acquisition schemes and critical thought ( Jonassen, 1994 ) . Cognitive tools help in cognition building and non knowledge reproduct ion. The cognition constructed by the scholars reflects their comprehension and construct of the information. To exemplify, when pupils build cognition bases with databases, they need to analyse the content sphere and engage in critical thought. Black and McClintok ( 1999 ) emphasis the importance of reading as being cardinal to knowledge and acquisition. Their design of Study Supported Environments ( SSEs ) based on constructivist design rules called Interpretation Construction Design ( ICON ) focused chiefly on the interpretative building of reliable artefacts in the context of rich background stuffs, and crossing across different Fieldss of survey. Their survey showed that in add-on to larning specific content, pupils were able to get generalizable reading and debate accomplishments. For illustration, in learning 6th grade antediluvian history, a plan called Archaeotype A © was used that presented pupils with a in writing simulation of an archeological site. Students who worked collaboratively in groups, had to delve up artefacts through simulation, observe and mensurate them in fake research labs, and eventually through a procedure of reading and debate, arrived at the apprehension of general rules behind what they were making. In a follow-up rating survey, it was found that there were important additions in the interpretive and debate accomplishments of pupils who had participated in the survey against a control group ( Black & A ; McClintock, 1999 ) . Brooding thought, that requires careful deliberation, is besides encouraged by constructivists ( e.g. , Kafai et al. , 1997 ; Swain & A ; Pearson, 2001 ; Walker, 2000 ) . Metacognition, or the self-monitoring and self-denial of the acquisition procedure, is emphasized. New cognition which is composed is added to old representations, modifying them in the procedure. This normally requires external staging in the signifier of people, books, or engineerings such as computing machines. Swain and Pearson ( 2001 ) recommend the pattern of brooding thought by instructors to measure their engineering usage. They stress the importance of certification of brooding ideas to find the extent and quality of personal versus instructional utilizations of engineering, organisation and execution of environments and activities. Jonassen ( 1994 ) describes technological tools as â€Å" rational spouses † and â€Å" powerful accelerators † in the procedure of acquisition, â€Å" scaffoldin g the all important procedures of articulation and contemplation, which are the foundations of cognition building † ( p. 5 ) . The Role of the Teacher in Technology Enhanced Environments The function of the instructor as a facilitator is seen as most of import in a constructivist context ( Witfelt, 2000 ; Richards, 1998 ) . Within a constructivist schoolroom, the instructor engenders societal and rational climes, where collaborative and concerted acquisition methods are supported. In parallel, technology-enhanced schoolrooms tap constructivist schemes ( Jonassen, 1999 ) , set uping problem-based undertakings where pupils actively construct cognition, associating knew cognition with old cognition. In non-traditional schoolrooms such as the open/global schoolroom ( Walker, 2000 ; Witfelt, 2000 ) , the function and duties of the instructor have changed. The instructor, as an agent, has to invariably update information and engineering for doing learning reliable and relevant. For illustration, while developing a class faculty for instructors and taxonomy for instructor competences in the usage of educational multimedia, Witfelt ( 2000 ) observed that it was of import to unite several theories such as constructivism, postmodernism, situated intelligence and multiple intelligences. However, the theoretical model would be constructivist in nature with the instructor presuming the function of the facilitator, supplying an environment for self-generated research, understanding the societal and collaborative nature of acquisition, assisting kids concept cognition and initiate problem-based, project-oriented work. With this passage in functions and duties, Witfelt ( 2000 ) listed new in structor competences in constructivist contexts that include supervisor makings, protagonist and facilitator of pupils ‘ work, adviser and subject-matter expert, galvanizer and encourager, supreme authority at group treatments, critic in mobilising greater attempt when aims are non being met, and judge to better general larning capacities of pupils.Case StudiesAfter analyzing the literature on engineering integrating and constructivist rules, a complementary relationship between engineering and acquisition within a constructivist model seems sound and advantageous to instructors and scholars. To exemplify these rules discretely, model instances are presented that reflect the doctrine established above. Teacher-trainees at Winthrop University in South Carolina undertook a meaningful technology-based activity to carry through literacy ends ( Richards, 1998 ) . They developed an electronic portfolio around a literacy-related subject, including informations, contemplations and critical responses, which they shared with their equals and other pedagogues. The extract of engineering was helped by implementing constructivist-based activities, such as coaction and cooperation in a group, prosecuting in job resolution and building possible solutions to social quandary, and pass oning the deeper processing of content and the critical development of literacy accomplishments and schemes ( Richards, 1998 ) . Student perceptual experiences were determined through formative and summational appraisal methods. Students responded positively toward achievement of concerted and collaborative acquisition, the engineering constituent maps and the relevancy of the activities to future callings in schools. However, they recommended that more clip be provided for treating thoughts and synthesising them in the portfolio. Research conducted at the Open University, U.K. besides demonstrated a positive relationship between constructivism and engineering integrating ( Walker, 2000 ) . A distance-learning class was developed maintaining in head the experiential and constructivist positions of larning. The intent was to assist pupils in a distance-learning class learn in better and more effectual ways, to be active scholars, building their ain apprehension. Assignments and appraisals were besides oriented towards constructivist ends. Their attempts culminated in a new paradigm of class development. A study of all the pupils who completed the class and took the scrutiny revealed that the bulk felt that they had improved their acquisition accomplishments to a considerable extent. A follow-up study was undertaken the undermentioned twelvemonth. These findings revealed a high proportion of positive responses to inquiries sing the continued usage of contemplation to better assignments, based on teachers ‘ feedback and rating standards. However, pupils were less positive about their usage of contemplation in general. These pupils like those described above ( Richards, 1998 ) struggled with maintaining and utilizing contemplation efficaciously. Students were non the lone donees of the mixture of constructivist schemes with engineering tools. Harmonizing to Richards ( 1998 ) and Walker ( 2000 ) , the development of class faculties based on constructivist patterns and the integrating of engineering were besides good to the module, as they had to be after and revise to incorporate engineering so that pupils could be helped to go more capable and mature scholars.Deductions for PracticeThese instances have important deductions for instructor pedagogues and instructors. In the country of instructor instruction, Kim and Sharp ( 2000 ) observed that the planning of instructors consistent with constructivist patterns was extremely variable with most preservice instructors cognizing really small about the effectual integrating of engineering in instruction. Since instructors tend to learn as they were taught, it is indispensable that both preservice and inservice instructors must be exposed to constructivist-based direction, which wo uld so ease the development of learning schemes consistent with recent reform motions ( Kim & A ; Sharp, 2000 ) . An exposure to constructivist learning methods and coincident multimedia acquisition experiences influenced the planning of constructivist behaviours and extract of engineering ( Kim & A ; Sharp, 2000 ) . Technology may besides act upon teacher pattern to integrate constructivist rules. Rakes, Flowers, Casey and Santana ( 1999 ) study that as the sum of engineering available, the degree of engineering accomplishments of the instructors, and the usage of engineering increased, the usage of constructivist schemes in the schoolroom besides appeared to increase. â€Å" Technology can supply the vehicle for carry throughing constructivist instruction patterns † ( Rakes et al. , 1999, p. 3 ) . So, increasing the accomplishment degrees of instructors with respect to computing machines and supplying extra chances for instructors to incorporate engineering into lessons may promote the usage of constructivist behaviours. Availability, skill degree and usage may non, nevertheless, warrant purposeful usage of engineering nor constructivist rules. Rakes et Al. ( 1999 ) reported many instructors concentrated on the drill and pattern type of package, pretermiting basic computing machine accomplishments development, or dealt merely with presentation accomplishments and Internet resources. These research workers recommended concentrating on staff development and preparation in engineering usage and constructivist patterns that moved beyond literacy accomplishments to turn to more thoroughly application and curriculum integrating issues. When turn toing the function of the instructor in constructivist paradigms, there should be no misconstruing sing the importance of the instructor. Yet, many instructors feel uncomfortable with the deficiency of a chiseled content and the displacement of venue of control to the scholars ( Brush & A ; Saye, 2000 ; Duffy & A ; Cunningham, 1996 ) . Making suited contexts is non simply supplying scholars with resources and allowing them discover things for themselves, but forming resources in such a manner to breed cognitive disagreements in the heads of the scholars, animating them to larn how to larn through a procedure of coaction and defendable apprehensions ( Duffy & A ; Cunningham, 1996 ) . As a facilitator of acquisition, the instructor is non ineffective and on the out of boundss. On the contrary, the instructor is free to utilize a assortment of constructivist schemes, such as coaching, mold, and scaffolding, to help each scholar ( Collins, Brown & A ; Newman, 1990 ) . Scaffolding may include support from other persons and artefacts, every bit good as the cultural context and history that the scholars bring to the environment. Scaffolding, nevertheless, does non intend guiding and learning a scholar toward some chiseled end but back uping the growing of the scholar through cognitive and metacognitive activities ( Hannafin, Hill & A ; Land, 1997 ) . Therefore, the instructor assumes the function of a manager and ensures common apprehension of the positions of the scholar. In utilizing collaborative and concerted groups, the instructor must be careful in guaranting that they are non merely schemes for acquisition, but means to advance dialogical interchange and reflexi veness ( Duffy & A ; Cunningham, 1996 ) . As Morrison, Lowther, and DeMeulle ( 1999 ) competently suggest, â€Å" Technology and a constructivist attack need non be at odds with each other. If we change our position of computing machines from simply a agencies to present direction to one of a tool to work out jobs, so the reform motion can act upon the usage of engineering, and engineering can act upon the reform of instruction † ( p. 5 ) .DecisionConstructivist positions assert that acquisition is the active procedure of building instead than passively geting cognition, and direction is the procedure of back uping the cognition constructed by the scholars instead than the mere communicating of cognition ( Duffy & A ; Cunningham, 1996 ; Honebein, Duffy & A ; Fishman, 1993 ; Jonassen, 1999 ; ) . Truth is determined by the viability of the scholars ‘ apprehension in the existent universe, where viability is culturally determined. The constructivist model seeks to understand multiple positions, and challenges the s cholars ‘ thought ( Duffy & A ; Cunningham, 1996 ; Jonassen, Mayes & A ; McAleese, 1993 ) . It examines the societal beginnings of buildings, whereby it acknowledges larning as a procedure of socialization. Therefore, the survey of societal and cultural procedures and artefacts becomes a cardinal issue. Context is a dynamic whole including the person and sociohistorical facets ( Duffy & A ; Cunningham, 1996 ; Ezell & A ; O'Keefe, 1994 ) . Thinking is ever dialogic, linking heads, either straight or indirectly. The indirect or semiotic agencies are the marks and tools appropriated from the sociocultural context ( Duffy & A ; Cunningham, 1996 ) . Within this displacement in focal point from the objectivist to the constructivist context sphere, engineering can play an built-in portion in the acquisition environment ( Duffy & A ; Cunningham, 1996 ) . â€Å" The profusion of the engineering permits us to supply a richer and more exciting ( entertaining ) larning environmentaˆÂ ¦ our concern is the new apprehensions and new capablenesss that are possible through the usage of engineering † ( Duffy & A ; Cunningham, 1996, p. 187 ) . By incorporating engineering with constructivist methods, such as problem-based acquisition and project-based acquisition, scholars are more responsible for and active in the acquisition procedure ( Grant, 2002 ) . Additionally, mundane applications, such as word processors and spreadsheets, become powerful instruments for reliable acquisition. Constructivism offers flexibleness to instructors to individualise larning for each pupil while utilizing engineering tools to augment cognitive and metacognitive procedures.SubscribersAloka Nanjappa is presently a doctorial campaigner, Instructional Design and Technology, Department of Instructional Curriculum and Leadership, University of Memphis, Tennessee. She was Assistant Professor in a college of instruction, affiliated to the University of Bombay, India, learning Experimental Psychology, Educational Technology, and Methodology of learning Mathematicss. She has besides taught in the K-10 and undergraduate degree ( Zoology ) in India. Aloka was late awarded the Outstanding ID & A ; T Graduate Student Award by the University of Memphis, Tennessee. Her research involvements lie in teacher instruction with a focal point on engineering integrating in the schoolroom. Michael M. Grant is an Assistant Professor at the University of Memphis in the Instructional Design and Technology plan within the teacher instruction section. His most recent research has focused on suiting single differences and constructionism. He has worked with both preservice and inservice instructors on incorporating engineering.

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