Theme 1: Knowledge building for a Knowledge Society
Organizational Structure, Strictures, and Knowledge Building
Fostering
epistemic agency:
Innovations using handhelds in a Grade Two knowledge-building classroom
Latika Nirula, IKIT, OISE/University of Toronto
Innovations using handhelds in a Grade Two knowledge-building classroom
Latika Nirula, IKIT, OISE/University of Toronto
This poster reports work-in-progress of a design experiment examining the use of handheld (PDA) computers in a grade two classroom. Specifically, the focal problem under investigation asks, how can the technological affordances of inexpensive “always on” and “always ready” handhelds be directed toward the support of knowledge-building and epistemic agency? Researcher observations are documented over a six-week period as a number of innovations are examined within a technologically enriched grade 2 classroom (N=22). Such innovations using handheld technology supported individual reflection and small group collaboration in a unit of study on weather. Preliminary findings suggest the handheld can be an effective technological assist in the knowledge-building classroom and there is some evidence to suggest that the handhelds may have a role in fostering epistemic agency.