Wikis and their many uses...

This week the task at hand was to take part in a "wiki" that focus' around the topic of cellphones being used in the classroom. This activity was laced with many different learning tools, however the largest learning tool used was that of the De bono thinking hats, with the many different styles available it was hard to choose one particular point of view, which in all is the point of these particular hats. Not only did this allow me as a student to think about the many options available to including cell phones in the classroom, it also allowed me to witness and grow to understand the rest of the groups opinions and ideas about this particular topic, which leads me to the topic of the learning Theories incorporated into using the wiki. 

There are two very prominent theories used with in this activity and these are that of Constructivist and behaviourist theories. This particular activity allowed us as learners to construct our own intellectual ideas about the topic at hand whilst sharing our thoughts to the other students, therefore allowing the constructivist theory to be presented within the activity. The wiki also allowed us to respond to the stimulus (debono hats) which in place stimulated our learning therefore making this activity also behaviourist theory. 

By taking part in this activity it has allowed the digital pedagogy as well as the productive pedagogy to come through within the activity. With the digital pedagogy allowing the learner to experience new ways of learning via technology and the productive pedagogy allowing us to draw from our background knowledge on the topic in relation to the question presented, should mobiles be used in schools. 

In conclusion by joining both the wiki and debonos thinking hats together, it has allowed the activity to directly support many different learning techniques. Overall I found that the activity allowed me to think differently as well as being a more "hands on" approach to learning. Which in part would be very useful to use in my future years of teaching.