Using a Constructivist Approach to Develop Self-Learning Materials and Promote Learner Engagement for Out-Of-School Children in Sri Lanka

View/ Open
PDF (239.3Kb)
Date
2016-11Abstract
Addressing the issue of access to quality education is a matter of urgency, and yet the formal education
system has not tended to provide education for all. For out-of school children, therefore, distance and
open learning methodologies have been adopted by developing countries as an alternative path to address their educational needs. The challenge is how to bring them back to the learning process again and how to motivate and engage them for active learning. // The purpose of this study was to investigate how constructivist approach and principles support for the development of self-learning materials that promote learner engagement and motivation of out-of-school children. Utilising case study method the research was carried out. Ten course writers and ten out-of school children were selected through purposive sampling as participant and target group of this study. By conducting training program made the course writers aware of constructivist approach and assisted them to develop skills of writing learning activities embedded constructivist design principles. At the end of the training program the course writers tested the sample materials developed with a targeted group of
out-of-school children. The data were collected using multiple data gathering techniques and results were
presented as individual stories of the children. // The overall findings have provided conclusive evidence that constructivist approach and design principles
do support the creation of active, constructive and meaningful learning and learner-motivated learning
materials. The findings indicate that this type of material was practical and meaningful and students were excited when they were learning what they deemed relevant. The materials were able to engage the students in a continuing learning process and they were successful in integrating the whole environment into students’ learning, successfully providing multiple avenues and multiple resources for students’ learning processes. The study concludes with a recommendation for a paradigm shift in educating out-ofschool children – a shift from traditional instructional design methods to a constructivist approach. // Paper ID 160
Collections
Metadata
Show full item recordRelated Items
Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.
-
Study on Learners' Preparedness for Digital Learning Materials (DLMs) as Supplement of Self-Learning Materials (SLMs) of the Open School of the Bangladesh Open University
Yeasmin, Sabina; Murthy, C R K (2010-11)The main aim of this paper is to discuss the implementation if digital learning materials are feasible for the Open School programs. The specific objectives of the current research are: • to promote the key concepts, ... -
Demonstrating the Quality of Learner’s Experience and Engagement: Issues in Constructing Effective Evaluation Approaches on the English in Action Project, Bangladesh
Kirkwood, Adrian; Rae, Jan (2010-11)The purpose of the DfID English in Action Project (EIA) currently running in Bangladesh is to ‘increase significantly the number of people able to communicate in English, to levels that enable them to participate fully in ... -
Addressing the Learning Needs of Out-of-School Children and Youths through the Expansion of Open Schooling
Mays, Tony; Singh, Rajiv Kumar (Commonwealth of Learning (COL), 2020-12)At any one time, about 300 million children of school going age are not in school. Experience indicates that when schooling is disrupted, whether by a pandemic, a natural disaster or other reasons, not all children return ... -
Out-of-School Children: A Contemporary View from the Pacific Island Countries of the Commonwealth
Narayan, Sharishna; Mays, Tony; Naidu, Som; Perris, Kirk (Commonwealth of Learning (COL), 2021-04)This publication on out-of-school-children (OOSC) in the Pacific is a timely and important contribution to consider interventions to ameliorate educational disparities in the region. A contemporary view of the nine Pacific ... -
Out-of-School Children and Youth: A Contemporary View from Selected African Commonwealth Countries
Commonwealth of Learning (Commonwealth of Learning (COL), 2022-06)This publication on out-of-school children (OOSC) in Commonwealth Africa is already informing priorities in COL’s work in open schooling. The report provides an overview of key indicators for all nineteen Commonwealth ...