HFOSS - Quiz 2 Pedagogy

This is a quiz post for my HFOSS class.  The quiz is on what we've learned for our OLPC projects about learning styles and how the OLPC program implements these aspects.

0) Expand the Following Acronyms:

1. FOSS - Free and Open Source Software
2. OLPC - One Laptop Per Child
3. tl;dr - Too Long; Didn't Read
4. LGTM - Looks Good To Me
5. RTFM - Read The Fun Manual
6. PEBKAC - Problems Exist Between Keyboard And Chair
7. LOL - Laugh Out Loud

1) Define the following instructional theories:

1. Didactic - Didactic theory states that the teacher has all of the knowledge and students pay attention and passively receive this concrete knowledge given by the teacher.  This requires students to be alert and receptive of all that is imparted to them, and students that do not continuously comprehend the information are often left behind.  This is more based around the teacher.
2. Dialectic - Dialectic theory (I kind of remember by associating "Dialectic" with "Dialogue") states that the teacher guides the students through discovering and understanding the knowledge by themselves.  Information is actively discussed and reasoned with through a dialogue between the teacher and students.  This is more based around the students.
3. Constructivist - The Constructivist theory states that students learn best through experiencing concepts in a way that they can grasp an understanding.  They then further this understanding through repetition and meditating on results.  This is kind of what we mean when we talk about a "hands-on" learning experience.
4. Multiple Intelligences - The theory of Multiple Intelligences suggests there are more than one intelligence and these intelligences can be categorized.  Some examples of these categories are "Musical Intelligence", "Interpersonal Intelligence", "Intrapersonal Intelligence", "Mathematical Intelligence", "Linguistic Intelligence", and so on.  Some students will excel in certain areas but struggle with others.  By focusing on certain categories, students can become more intelligent in the corresponding area.

2) Describe the role of the instructor in each theory.

1. Didactic - Teacher has all the knowledge and students passively absorb.
2. Dialectic - Teacher has most of the knowledge and guides students actively.
3. Constructivist - Teacher creates an environment for students to learn on their own.
4. Multiple Intelligences - Teachers focus on actively honing certain skills.

3)What are the three key aspects of a lesson plan?

• Method - how do we get to where we want to be?
• Objective - where do we want to be ultimately?
• Evaluation - how did it go?  how can we do better?

4)How does Sugar integrate and implement constructivist learning theory?

The OLPC Sugar environment perfectly integrates every aspect of the constructivist learning theory.  It provides the student with not just an all knowing teacher that constantly sends concrete information, but with a platform, a toolbox, and an environment for the student to explore on his/her own.  Sugar is designed with icons that the student can understand and click to explore more about the icon's corresponding topic.  As the constructivist theory suggests, students learn through hands on applications literally named "activities".  Through these activities, students can practice subjects and freely gain knowledge and experience at their own pace.  For example, the music applications present the student with keyboards and instruments that can be played however the student wants.  After experiencing the music applications, students will eventually familiarize themselves with how the keys correspond to different sounds.  After some time messing around, students will understand how music is made with different instruments, which will be taught to them completely at their own pace.  Ultimately, the student is able to construct their own way of learning.

Bonus: Where can new Sugar users and contributors go to find out more information, ask questions, and get involved?

• While I assume there are a multitude of ways for new Sugar users to do this, I would suggest checking out the Sugar website here: https://www.sugarlabs.org/
• Of course, I would also suggest asking any questions on the RIT HFOSS IRC on freenode: #rit-foss
• Or they could check out the XO Laptop site here: http://one.laptop.org/