Improve Your Vocabulary

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Improve Your Vocabulary

• Compare and Contrast
• EDIT 732
• Afua Gyasi
• Kim Monti
• Kimberly Amin

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Objectives

• Using the Objectivist/Constructivist Paradigm -
  Comparison Matrix, we will
• Demonstrate that Quizlet is an example of an
  objectivist learning environment
• Demonstrate that Visual Thesaurus is an example
  of a constructivist environment

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http//quizlet.com/
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http//www.visualthesaurus.com/
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The Learner

• Quizlet
• The learner is able to choose from several
  stimulus/response activities where they can learn
  vocabulary.
• The learner is reactive to the stimuli. (Ertmer
  Newby)
• Visual Thesaurus
• User can explore word maps to achieve a better
  understanding of a word.
• Create meaning from experience (Ertmer Newby)

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Quizlet Flashcards
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Quizlet Learn
Learner must provide correct response after being
given stimulus in the form of a definition
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Visual Thesaurus Word Map
After entering a word, the learner can then drill
down to the desired synonym.
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Visual Thesaurus Drill Down
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The Teacher

• Quizlet
• Call and response type learning (eSchoolNews)
• Provides the stimuli in the form of a vocabulary
  quiz or test
• Displays the score as the learner progresses
• Present stimuli and positive reinforcement
  (Ertmer Newby)
• Visual Thesaurus
• Allows the learner to explore the word
  graphically
• Presents the same information in multiple ways
• Can customize interface to make learning relevant
  
• Align and design experiences for the leaner, so
  that authentic, relevant, context can be
  experienced. (Ertmer Newby)

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The Learning Context

• Quizlet
• Familiarization of meanings using electronic
  tools such as flashcards
• Feedback is provided for practice and testing
  knowledge
• People learn best when they know the correctness
  of their efforts (Wilson Meyers)
• Visual Thesaurus
• Explore words to discover their meaning through
  interactive mapping and visual tools.
• The mind produces mental models that explain to
  the knower what he or she has perceived.
  (Jonassen)

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The Learning Activity

• Quizlet
• Familiarization of definitions using flashcards
• Testing of knowledge using written questions,
  true/false, matching, and multiple choice
• Recalling facts, illustrating concepts, applying
  explanations (Ertmer Newby)
• Visual Thesaurus
• Words are defined by linking them graphically to
  other words that are related
• Learners can explore by scrolling over words and
  word relationships to see their connection
• Provides generative knowledge construction or
  tool kits embedded in relevant learning
  environments that facilitate knowledge
  construction (Jonassen)

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The Content

• Quizlet
• Vocabulary is learned through repetitive trial
  and error (drill and practice, memorize)
• Written questions or Learn mode prompts
  learners for response
• Visual Thesaurus
• Vocabulary is learned through the visual display
  of the initial word, their parts of speech,
  pronunciation, meaning and usage, and
  relationships to other words.

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The Assessment

• Quizlet
• The Learn mode tracks results, retesting
  learner on words the learner has difficulty with
• Play Scatter is a timed game matching the words
  to their definitions
• In the Test mode, the learner can re-test
  themselves once answers are submitted and
  feedback is provided.
• When a stimulus is presented to the learner and
  the learner responds with the correct response,
  they are given a positive reinforcement (Ertmer
  and Newby)

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Quizlet Play Scatter
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Quizlet Test
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The Assessment

• Visual Thesaurus
• There is no assessment imposed by the website,
  but the learner is able to make a judgment about
  whether or not the search has yielded the desired
  response
• There is no distinction between being right or
  wrong. The learner is allowed to explore various
  aspects of a word as much as possible.
• how learners build knowledge rather than
  focusing on a single indicator or product of
  learning such as a test (Dabbagh Bannan-Ritland
  paraphrasing Jonassen)

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Summary

• Based on the fact that Quizlet provides
  stimulus/response learning it lends itself to be
  more objectivist
• Visual Thesaurus affords the learner with the
  opportunity to explore definitions to construct
  their own meaning, thus making this learning
  environment constructivist.

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References

• Dabbagh, N. Bannan-Ritland, B. (2005). Online
  Learning Concepts, Strategies, and Application.
  Upper Saddle River, NJ Pearson Education, Inc.
• Ertmer, P. A. Newby, T. J. (1993). Behaviorism,
  Cognitivism, Constructivism Comparing Critical
  Features from an Instructional Design
  Perspective. Performance Improvement Quarterly, 6
  (4), 50-71.
• eSchool News Online (2007). Site of the Week for
  Wednesday, April 25, 2007 . Retrieved September
  30, 2007 from http//www.eschoolnews.com/resources
  /links/showLink.cfm?linkID341
• Jonassen, D. H. (1991). Objectivism versus
  Constructivism Do We Need a New Philosophical
  Paradigm? Educational Technology Research and
  Development, 39 (3), 5-13.
• Quizlet.com. Retrieved September 30, 2007 from
  http//quizlet.com/
• Visualthesaurus.com. Retrieved September 30, 2007
  from http//www.visualthesaurus.com/
• Wilson, B. G. Myers, K. M. (2000). Situated
  Cognition in Theoretical and Practical Context.
  In D. Jonassen S. Land (Eds.), Theoretical
  Foundation of Learning Environments (57-88).
  Mahwah, NJ Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc.