CSILE by J. Dudley

CSILE

 

CSILE stands for Computer Supported Intentional Learning Environments.  Computer Supported Intentional Learning Environment was created by Carl Bereiter and Marlene Scardamalia in 1983.  Originally, students were given specific topics from their teachers to discuss on a computer data base.  The students had to enter text and/or graphics on the given topics.  All students were able to read each other’s comments and respond to them.  Notifications were sent to the students when new comments were made.  Another version was created for universities in 1983; in 1986 the CSILE full version was used in an elementary school for the very first time.  All the computers would be linked together on a local area network (LAN).  (Harasim, 2012)  

It was established as a method of scaffolding.  CSILE was invented in order for students to learn from one another.  Instead of only learning from the teacher, CSILE allowed students to learn from their peers. (Harasim, 2012) CSILE provided a way for the students to take responsibility in their own learning.  It is knowledge based.  The purpose is for students to gain a deeper understanding of the given topics/skills they were introduced to and responsible for knowing.  It was a way the students to contribute to learning while the teacher facilitated.  (Harasim, 2012) I feel that is a great way to ensure that learning is taking place and that allows the students to retain more information on the skills since they were involved in the process. 



CSILE would fall under constructivism.  Constructivism requires problem solving and integration, as well as compiling new content.  Constructivism involves self-reporting, e-learning and group cooperation which also intertwines with CSILE.  Constructivism is also project-based and requires creativity; CSILE requires creativity and is project-based, especially since it involves graphics in the nodes.  (Harasim, 2012)  CSILE reminded me of discussion boards and black boards, as well as small groups within the classroom. 

Students will benefit from utilizing CSILE.  The students will contribute to one another’s learning.  CSILE are more engaging than traditional classroom settings.  In today’s society, students are different from prior generations; therefore, they learn differently.  As teachers, we must keep up with the changing society and become more technology savvy.  Integrating CSILE will give students different perspectives which will also provide knowledge to other students. 

CSILE can be used in different ways to teach a lesson.  It can be used as a way to discuss higher level questions and/or discussion questions to discuss a novel that is being read during class.  A wiki for the class can be created as a way to review skills, discuss questions, and check for understanding, etc.  A blog can be used, too.  For an example, I could start a discussion question on suicide before reading the novel, Tears of a Tiger by Sharon Draper.  It would allow the students to become engaged before we even started reading the novel; therefore, I would get more cooperation and engagement in class from the students.  If a student is lost in class, miss something in class for some reason, or if a student was absent, they can still get caught up from the wiki and discussion questions.  I can also assess the students in that way so we can have more time reading discussing the book in class.  I would also use the wiki to give the students homework or extra credit. 

Link

http://www.webenglishteacher.com/wikis.html

 

Resources

Harasim, Linda. (2012). Learning Theory and Online Technologies.  (1^st ed.) Routledge, NY:     Taylor and Francis, Inc.