Application Week 4 ~ Constructivist/Constructionist in Practice
Instructor: Kathryn Arnold
EDUC-6711I-1 Bridging Learning Theory, Instruction, and Technology
What does constructionism look like in the classroom? I believe it is a learner-oriented environment in which the teacher is the facilitator (Orey, 2001). In this room you would hear a low hum of students engaged in constructing an external artifact that can be shared. The students are collaborating, communicating, and working towards a hands-on task.
This week’s educational strategy Generating and Testing Hypotheses is a way for students to enhance their understanding of information (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, Malenoski, 2007). This strategy correlates with the constructionist learning theory because it will produce an artifact that students can share with one another.
Students could use a variety of technology applications for their final artifact. Spreadsheet software, data collection tools and web resources are different methods of generating and testing hypotheses (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, Malenoski, 2007). I agree with Mrs. Omar that although learning how to set up a spreadsheet is a skill students should learn it is very time consuming (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, Malenoski, 2007). I would rather have my students focus on the final objective. I have not used spreadsheets with my students but after reading Mrs. Omar’s lesson I can think of different math lessons that would be enhanced by this technology.
Using data collection tools students can visualize the information and correlate it to real-life events. In my classroom we do a year long unit of collecting sunrise and sunset data. I think it would be interesting to have my students compare our data to another states sunrise and sunset data. Then they could set up a web based data collector for the students to interact and discuss their findings.
The web has an infinite number of resources students can use to help generate and test their hypotheses. The one site I enjoyed exploring was Explorelearning (http://www.explorelearning.com/) (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, Malenoski, 2007). The site had different interactive qizmos for students to explore. Teachers could use the gizmos to introduce concepts like plate tectonics and rock cycles.
I believe constructionist theory strategy will put the spark back into the learning environment. By using this strategy students will no longer be passive consumers. Instead students will be active participates in their education. Students will create unique final products that will make a lasting connection.
Reference
Orey, M.(Ed.). (2001). Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved on May 25, 2009 from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
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