Group Activity #1 - Review on "Waste Recycling"
This reason we pick this topic is because we find the “Waste Recycling” is something of a hot topic at the moment, governments and local authorities around the world are trying to impose a significant recycling targets upon the worldwide communities. In addition to that, waste recycling is also related to our day-to-day living and hopefully by reviewing its content, we could acquire correct information and learn to bring up a right attitude in the context of recycling waste.
Things that I like about this site:
1) Simple and easy to understand for someone who has no prior knowledge or background of waste recycling.
2) It includes game activities which is a good way of learning this topic because computer-based interactive activities could stimulate learners interests and students can also be rewarded if correct answers are selected. Although the hyperlinks to the games are not working, we could tell the site author is applying both the learning theory of “Behaviorism” & “Cognitivism” into this learning environment.
Room for improvements:
1) Too simple and the information provided on the site is not deep enough for someone who are really interested in knowing this topic
2) It emphasizes the “3R” (Recycling, Reuse and Reduce) are being covered in the site right at the beginning, however it seems to me it mostly focus on the impact of waste recycling process and different types of waste, it doesn’t provide too much of information on the “Reuse” & “Reduce” sections.
3) Too many hyperlinks to take me out of the site to other sites which easily get me off track of the original purpose of being here.
4) Adding animations or powerpoint presentation will boost up my experiences while I’m visiting this site and help me understand the material better
3 comments:
I am totally agree with you. I would like to add 2 more advantages.
-It is comfort to use even though there is no prior knowledge of computer.
-It provides hyperlink in meaning words, there is more easily to refer the further meaning. It can understand the topic more.
My opinion as below:
Advantage -
1. The structure of the webpage is consistent, through cognitive processes, the variety of information to be stored and organized to easy to master the techniques used.
Disadvantage -
1. The hyperlink color habitually in blue, the topic use the similar color, the reaction of the behavior is link to other website, this will be confusing.
2. This is information website only, the lack of attractive elements.
I suggest provide more multimedia element in there. e.g.: movie, sound, animation attract them, and stimulate them with the question of rational thinking, encourage them identify the problem, and promote them to seek solution about waste recycling.
As Esther has mentioned, the site author has applied both learning theories of ‘Behaviourism’ & ‘Cognitivism’. I think, the application of ‘Behaviourism’ is however occupying a prominent proportion. As you may see, explicit objectives are stated in the introduction (home page). The site contains mostly facts and the 2 games are served as an assessment on the knowledge obtained AFTER reading the site. A hint of ‘Cognitivism’ can also be observed as the project is about setting up a group blog for learners to interact. This can lead learners to proactively involve in gaining more knowledge about the topic in their own paces.
Some more points I can think of :
- A project which requires learners to create a group blog. This can provoke active engagement by encouraging learners to study examples and refreshing their own experiences. Cooperative learning is introduced at the same time. The group can share, discuss and challenge. Different perspectives can be gained and the memory of learnt knowledge can be reinforced.
Suggestions : Can further extend the discussions to a broader dimension in the group blog. For example, what are the different recycling technologies, their advantages and disadvantages or the role of government and citizens in the waste recycling process.
- A topic bar at a significant position of each page can facilitate learners to easily jump across different topics for referencing.
- An introduction at the home page can help learners to gain a basic concept on what kind of information will be provided subsequently and what goal is expected to be gained. Also, the learning material under each topic is sub-divided to sections with titles stated. This, not only make the knowledge more easily to be digested, but also promote endurance of learners’ memory.
Suggestions : The introduction should cover and include hyperlinks of all the topics of the site.
As this is a rather simple website which provides a fundamental knowledge on waste recycling, using behaviorist as the principal approach is appropriate as learners can easily and rapidly capture the basic concepts for further studies.
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