What do they mean make it meaningful?
As up and coming teachers of the future we are continually being told to make learning meaningful to students. Rightly so! As a student that has come through primary and secondary school, and gone on to tertiary studies, I myself know all too well what lessons will stay with me for a life (or a while at least!) and what I must simply memorise to get by on a test or achieve a certain grade. The Jonassen article, What is meaningful learning?, highlights the need for learning to be engaging, where students interact in a cooperative manner. We should not simply be announcing the necessary information, but rather letting the students seek the information for themselves.
Technology allows for such activities to occur easily within the classroom. It’s not the only way it can be done, however it’s not always possible to leave the school environment to go on an excursion, or do activities elsewhere. Using technology within the classroom allows the students to actively research their topic and find their own answers. Being involved in this process helps the students to retain the information. For example, teaching year 9 gegraphy about synoptic charts and weather patterns in a class discussion simply did not have the same impact as when they accessed the Bureau of Meterology site for themselves and examined the interactive charts and found their own information. I was still there to assist, although it made my job easier, more importantly the students were satisfied in themselves that they had found the answers. Making a lesson meaningful doesn’t mean it’s always more difficult.
Source: Jonassen, D. et al (2008). What is meaningful learning? In D. Jonassen et al.(Eds). Meaningful learning with technology. (3rd Ed). pp1-12. Pearson/Merrill Prentice Hall: Upper Saddle River, N.J.
