According to Dr. Michael Orey, constructivism is a theory where each person constructs their own meaning. Constructionist states that people will learn best when an artifact is created or built and they can share it with others. So students need to be actively involved in their learning and create a product that demonstrates their knowledge.
In our text this week, Using Technology in the Classroom that Works, we learned about an instructional strategy called generating and testing hypotheses. There are six steps that can lead teachers to generating and testing a hypotheses: 1) system analysis, 2) problem solving, 3) historical investigation, 4) invention, 5) experimental inquiry, and 6) decision making. I think this entire strategy ties directly to constructivist and constructionist learning theories, especially the last three steps. Students look at a need and then attempt to create solutions to those needs. When the students create solutions, they will need to test them to see which ones work and which ones do not work as well and eventually they have to choose a solution that makes the most sense. This is like the students learning information and then testing different ways to create an artifact to demonstrate that knowledge.
Our text recommends three specific technology tools that can be used to generate and test hypotheses. They are spreadsheet software, data collections tools, and Web resources. Spreadsheet software can be used to figure out date. For instance, maybe my students are studying the Great Depression and we decided to figure what people could really afford at this time. I could use a spreadsheet to create a budget and the students could figure out the best way to get the most for the little amount of money that they had at that time. They can explore their best options, choose the option that allows them the most for the money that they have, and somehow present their choice to their classmates.
I do not teach science and seems as though the data collections tools work best with science. I may be incorrect in that assumption. Does anyone have other suggestions on how to use data collection tools?
The final tool was web resources. This was my favorite idea. It is motivating, fun, and educational all tied into one. The students still have to explore all their options, make choices, and create a final product. Our text gave a great example from www.making-history.com where the students become a leader in their country and they have to make policy decisions. The students get to literally experience being an actual leader and will get to see the result of their actions and choices they made.
I need to incorporate more project-based learning into my classroom. It is a successful style that makes a lasting impression. To truly experience what they are learning will help my student move the knowledge into their long term memory. The suggestions our text gives to incorporate technology in a constructionism way are very helpful.
References:
Han, S., and Bhattacharya, K. (2001). Constructionism, Learning by Design, and Project Based Learning. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved March 19, 2012 from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2012). Constructionist and Constructivist Learning Theories [DVD]. Bridging Learning Theory Instruction and Technology. Baltimore, MD: Author
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E.R., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Denver, CO: McREL
My classroom is mostly project based. Using the web resources has been huge in helping students dig deeper into their assignments and give their projects greater meaning. I enjoy the presentation process when students compare their findings and their classmates get to see what they may have missed or discovers something else "cool" using the internet.
ReplyDeleteI am working on creating a lesson using data collection for healthy lifestyles. Students will research essential needs of their age group using ChooseMyPlate-new version of MyPyramid- and then input what those needs are on a daily basis for a week. They would also need to create an exercise/activity routine with times and calories burned. The final part of the assignment would be to prepare menus for entrees and snack options to help implement the healthy lifestyle. Students can use sites such as calorieking.com and sneakychef.com, among others, to perform a nutrition analysis of the food choices they have made.
I like the ideas you wrote about regarding the Great Depression. Students can certainly relate to the cost of the things they want compared to the amount of money they have or what their parents are willing to spend. Furthermore, the lesson could be expanded to discuss the inventions that have been created since that time until present, the evolution of technology, and that necessity brings about change. Maybe this would help our students understand more about the economy currently and the development process in various areas.
I agree wholeheartedly that active learning is the key. Completing an assignment based on a rubric and direction from the teacher is one thing. Using new and innovative tools during the process is another. Both are tremendous learning opportunities and further retention of knowledge.
Thanks for the post!
ReplyDeleteWhere do you find all of your web resources to create all of those projects? Please share!!
I like the ideas you gave for the expansion of my lesson.
Active learning definitely seems to help. I have made some small adjustments the last two weeks to give my students a chance to be more actively involved in learning and so far the results have been much better!
Renee Scott
I love the idea of using a spreadsheet with the Great Depression. I think it is hard for people to understand the price difference from the past compared to now. For example, Thomas Jefferson purchased the land west of the Mississippi River for three cents an acre! Henry Ford paid his employees $5 a day. It would be interesting to see how that compares to money today.
ReplyDeleteRenee, great blog. Isn't it funny how we all write similar posts and agree with each other about the best ways to teach and the most effective way for our students to learn, yet when we get in the classroom, most of the time we do the opposite. I've been thinking about this for a while and cannot pinpoint the issue.
ReplyDeleteI love your ideas about using a spreadsheet to create a budget, and using it as a teaching point for the civil war. The cross-curriculum of math is wonderful. That is a life skill which they will need in the future, creating a budget. Too many students are growing up thinking they can use a credit card, and don't realize the effects it has. Budgeting is a skill and a concept which is essential in life.