4.32 Exploratory Learning - Part 2

As discussed in Part 1, exploratory learning can benefit a student by allowing them to explore information, and that the online extension allows this exploration to an even larger degree. The exciting part about online exploration is that it often leads students into VLEs, or Virtual Learning Environments. These are worlds that instructors can use to help facilitate learning in the online sphere. As Freitas points out, exploratory learning will still involve some instructor based information, which should work to balance the online forum for students exploration. This means that instructors have to understand and be able to follow a student exploration online, and become just as interactive in the learning as the student is.

A virtual classroom full of students.

An example of a VLE is Edmodo (Check out the "Learn More" button at the bottom of the screen!), which is a website similar to Facebook. Another is Whyville, which is an interactive website geared more towards young students. In addition, many schools now have an online extension of the classroom such as Blackboard in order to help students get involved in the information by creating discussions, or allow access to more information through posting and linking.All of these sites help to encourage student exploration and development of information.  


For more information on Blackboard, the Center for Excellence in Leadership posted this clip of a talk about the benefits of the system.

By allowing the students to become more engaged in their learning, VLEs "encourage the development of student-centered, independent learning and [creates] a deep approach to learning" (Mimirinis). The key part to both exploratory learning and VLEs is that it is a student-driven way of learning. This is important, because as examined in a look at students today, students prefer to be online. If students prefer this online medium, and are able to drive their own education through that online format, it stands to reason that this is a beneficiary way to educate students.

Mimirinis' study focused on students who were engaged in learning through VLEs, and the results showed that VLEs help to build student independence, problem solving skills, and solution-based approached when dealing with information. It also states that online environments encourage "student motivation" in learning, as their interest in online information is much more engaged through these environments.

VLEs can help facilitate exploratory time, as learning is no longer limited to the classroom. Students are able to access their learning information outside of school times, and are able to continue that learning experience on their own time. Rather than confining learning to a singular space, VLEs and online forums are enabling students to expand their learning opportunities and gain more knowledge.

In the end, if students are more willing to become engaged in their learning through online exploration of VLEs, hyperlinks, or other mediums, then instructors should not inhibit these forms of learning. As Wolk states, "Exploratory time could be the most powerful learning segment of the school day because it is the most personally meaningful to the students [...] We must give them the time to do their own learning." Through VLEs, hyperlinking, and exploratory time, students are able to control their education and become better learners, both on and off the internet.

Return to: 4.0 Advantages of Interactive Websites
Previous Page: 4.31 Exploratory Learning Part 1
Next Page: 4.4 The Online Community

Sources: 

Freitas, Sara de, and Neumann, Tim. "The use of 'exploratory learning' for supporting immersive learning in virtual environments." Computers and Education. 52.2 (2009): 343-352.


Mimirinis, Mike, and Bhattacharya, Madhumita. "Design of Virtual Learning Environments for Deep Learning." Journal of Interactive Learning Research. 18.1 (2007): 55-64.


Wolk, Steven. "The Benefits of Exploratory Time." Educational Leadership. 59.2 (2001): 56-59.

Pictures from: Elganet and Ianinsheffield