Affordances and Constraints

Concepts of affordances and constraints which support the use of ICT

The concept of affordance in Information Communication Technology simply means that it is the possible actions that a person can perform using a particular programmme /app . There are three types of affordance pedagogical, social construction, and technical. An example of social construction is the email. The email provides effective communication which foster learning and socialization in a more quick and reliable manner. Pedagogical affordance allows for guidance and feedback of learning for example, hyperlinks, or hotspots that can be clicked to access another linked page, may provide pedagogical affordance (EDTK2030). According to Wang (2008) the technological perspective refers to reliable systems where the online environment is available continuously, with fast operation and easy access. For example the ease and less stress with which the system can be uses by individuals and can also be effective in the outcome of getting the job/task done.

In the case where affordance is all about the guided and necessary actions that can take place using a particular programme/ app, constraints are the limitations or restrictions of that particular programme/ app. For example the email allows for social communication by constructing, sending and receiving messages but it is limited to how the messages are being created. A picture has to be taken with a camera then attached to a file in order to send an email or a messages that has to do with accounting has to be done in excel then attached in email before sending off. The numbers can be typed in email yes, but it would not have the format as it should using MS excel.The email does not allow one to create an animated video (constraint) but it allows to attached the video as a file to send it as a message (affordance). So therefore all programmes / app and tools where Information Communication Technology is concerned has their affordances and constraints.

Learning theories that supports the use of Information technology

The learning theories that supports the use of Information technology are the constructive, activity based, reflection based and the social oriented theories. These theories aid in explaining how individuals learn in a learning environment and hence provide feedback as to whether to improve or adjust the learning environment in order for learning to be meaningful and effective.

-The constructivist theory, learning is most effective when situated in a context where new knowledge and skills may be shared in an interactive environment (Kerka, 1998). This type of learning is not about the traditional transmission of knowledge from just the teacher to student but it is more student centered interactive learning approach.

The activity based theory is just as it sounds, it is all about learning through activities. You see(learn) do after learning/seeing (activity) hence learning through practical for self discovery thus developing your own understanding . Krasnyand Roth (2010), states that activity theory places greater emphasis on the instrumental nature of activity and on transforming the material environment in order to achieve a particular goal.

-The reflection based theory is allows for one to reflect using previous knowledge and apply to ‘experiments’ and hence add or make adjustments in order for improvements to occur hence providing new and better understanding .

-The social oriented theory allows for a group of persons who share a common goal to research, make inquires and share their findings hence improve their level of understanding in a much more affordable , quicker and easier way with the uses of technology.

Example of affordances and constraints

An example of affordances in my classroom where technology is concerned is a technology tool – the computer. The computer affords me to easily do research via the internet and help to find interactive learning activities in which I can use to improve the delivery of my daily lessons to my students and also to develop the subject’s content. It also aids in finding information quickly to a student’s question in which I sometimes don’t know the answer. Plus at the same time use the integrated approach by letting the student use the computer him/herself to surf the net to find the answer to his/he question once time permits depending on the student’s ability and situation at the set time. The computer also affords me to quickly communicate with other teachers via skype, email or facebook in teaching my students. For example if I have to teach something in terms of the ‘historical past of the island’ and my resource person cannot come in to the classroom for some reason (maybe the person is off island at that particular date) then I can use Skype so that the person can still make his/her delivery of presentation on the historical topic.

Example of constraints within your classroom and professional environment.

However though, I face the constraints of not having speakers and a projector. As a result for Skype presentations students have to be very quiet in listening and can’t all see the video well from one little computer. If I happen to find a learning video for a particular lesson I cannot use it effectively because the student would not be able to see and hear well hence causing then to lose interest in what is going onthus not grasping concepts they are supposed to learn. In the case if there is an activity where the students has to use the computer all at once for example education city.com, they cannot do it because of just having once computer and ‘time’ wise for each student to go on one after the next wouldn’t work out well. Also to send helpful information to all students via email cannot be done because all of them do not have access to a computer at home hence all of them don’t have an email address or have access to an address via their parents.

Possible solutions that can realistically be implemented to work around the constraints which were described above.

One possible solution in which I can realistically implement to work around the constraints which I have to deal with on regular bases is that I can have a fund raising activity and ask for the head teacher’s assistance in signing off letters in seeking out donations from the businesses community in which will aid in purchasing a projector and speakers to work with the computer in order to make learning more effective, meaningful and fun in the classroom where technology is concerned. Based on my past year at the school I saw that there are helpful concerned parents, and in putting/ setting out a plan for the fundraising and donation activities to them, I am sure to get the help and support in order to help with my technology constraints in my classroom.

The steps which can be taken to proactively implement the solutions.

The steps in which I can take to prepare to implement my solution to the constraints are

First throw out the ideas to the staff and parents

Once they agree then give out the letters via parents help, to the business places in the community for donations of speakers, projector or mone

After donations are collected from business places, then decide if a fundraiser will still be needed in terms of getting the extra money to meet the total cost of the technology tools needed to improve learning

After this is done and once successful then the next step is to set up email addresses for the students so further social educational communication can take place with students and parents. I plan to do this with the students after gaining the parents’ permission and once the computers are upgraded and back up and running, so that students who don’t have a computer at home, can have a schedule time to use the computers in the computer room and use email plus do individual set activities using education city.com for the main subject areas along with practicing what they are learning where Information Communication Technology is concerned so that there is a wide range of both traditional as well as technology interactive learning approaches are taking place so that the students can benefit more in terms of their educational needs and self development.

Reference:

affordance. (n.d.). Definitions.net. Retrieved September 13, 2015, from http://www.definitions.net/definition/affordance.

Krasny, M. E. & Roth, W. (2010). Environmental education for social–ecological system

resilience: a perspective from activity theory. Environmental Education Research, 16, 545–558

Kerka, S. (1998), New perspectives on mentoring. ERIC Clearinghouse on Adult Career and

Vocational Education. Retrieved September 13, 2015 from website http://www.guidancechannel.com/default.aspx?M=a&index=1103&cat=9

Wang, Q. (2008). A generic model for guiding the integration of ICT into teaching and learning. Innovations in Education and Teaching International, 45, 411–419