Introduction
Learning is about obtaining new information and using it to tackle a problem. Whether it is learning a skill that helps you solve a problem you are facing, or out of pure interest or enjoyment about the topic, learning is all about seeking information, and putting it to use.
Computer Science 375
I have learned many things throughout university, and I still have much more to learn. My best learning experience thus far has to be from the Fall 2024 semester, in the third year of my Health Information Science (HINF) program. During that semester, I had my best learning experience in communication and teamwork. One course sticks out, “Computer Science 375: Introduction to Systems Analysis” (CSC375), taught to us by Professor Roberto A. Bittencourt. Teaching CSC375 was a learning experience for Professor Bittencourt as well, as it was his first time teaching it, but I digress.
In CSC375, students were divided into 24 groups of six, and were instructed to work on a large-scale group assignment that would total 70% of our grade by the end of the semester. The assignment was broken into 9 components, and all six of us were involved in those components. When starting the semester, I had a difficult time assimilating with the group, especially since I was meeting some teammates for the first time.
A Constructivist Approach to Communication
However, throughout the semester, I took on a constructivist approach to learning how to communicate and work in a team. To elaborate, a constructivist approach to learning means I took on new experiences and advanced my learning using a hands-on approach (Ertmer, P. A., & Newby, T., 2018). I created an Instagram groupchat to facilitate inter-group communication, and I chose a leadership position in the group to cultivate my communication with all other members. More specifically, we all had different roles, and I was the Project Manager.
As a Project Manager, I progressively learned to create in-person meeting times and locations, discuss/allocate responsibilities, and communicate with all team members. This not only allowed me to know my teammates much better, but it also improved my communication skills, a category I previously underperformed on.
Conclusion
Overall, I believe that taking CSC375 has taught me how to communicate more effectively. This occurred through a constructivist approach of persistently communicating with multiple people throughout the semester. Ultimately, I learned how to communicate better, and I will continue to learn more.
References
Ertmer, P. A., & Newby, T. (2018). Behaviorism, Cognitivism, Constructivism: Comparing Critical Features From an Instructional Design Perspective. Foundations of Learning and Instructional Design Technology: https://edtechbooks.org/lidtfoundations/behaviorism_cognitivism_constructivism
Good post.
Hi Bashar,
I really enjoyed reading your prompt! I liked how you described your constructivist approach to learning and how it helped you develop your communication skills to a level that allowed you and your partners to excel. Being assigned the role of Project Manager also seemed to naturally push you into adopting a constructivist style since the position required strong communication and leadership skills.
Overall, your learning experience sounded very educational and is a great example of applying the concepts we’ve been studying. Great job!
I found your reflection on the course structure interesting. I’ve never encountered a course like that, so it’s given me something to think about.
Hi Bashar!
I really enjoyed your blog post! It’s great to see how you were able to collaborate with a team, even though it was your first time working together. I think that’s one of the valuable lessons school teaches us — working with people we’ve never met before, understanding their ways of working, and finding ways to motivate each other. It’s definitely something that will carry over into the workforce!
Your reflection on learning through a constructivist approach is insightful, especially in the context of teamwork and communication. As a software engineering student, I relate to the importance of collaboration in large-scale projects, where effective communication can make or break a team’s success. Your initiative in creating an Instagram group chat and stepping into a leadership role as Project Manager demonstrates how hands-on experience fosters growth. Learning by doing, rather than just absorbing theory, is a key takeaway here. Your experience in CSC375 mirrors real-world software development, where iterative learning, role delegation, and structured communication are crucial. It’s great to see how you embraced challenges and turned them into learning opportunities!