Thursday, March 25, 2010

Constructivist/Constructionist Learning Theories.


The students are destined to be a part of the creative technological age. There is absolutely no avoiding this. it is therefore imperative that students within the classroom learn by using the technology around them ti inspire their creative skills. According to Dr. Michael Orey he states that the use of technology to construct anything, where students are being engaged in creating artifacts if one of the foundational rule of constructivism (Laureate Education, Inc., 2008). When students are engage they can reach a state of equilibration, by assimilating information, and accommodating schema, that will build external artifacts.


The instructional strategies does correlate with the principles of constructivist/constructionist learning theories. According the book Using Technology in the Classroom Instructions that works, the author states that , When Students generate and test hypothesis, they are engaging in complex mental process. (Pitlerr,Hubbell, Kuhn Malenoshi, 2007)


From experience students who use other software's such as productivity software, web resources or audio tools assimilate information at a faster pace than those who don't.


Students adores the opportunity to generate an hypothesis, by using problem solving techniques, inventions, experimental inquiry. Using the concept of constructivism they gain more information that will last throughout a lifetime.


References

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2008). Program 6. Constructionist and Constructivist Learning Theories. [Educational video]. Baltimore: Author


Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandri, VA: ASCD.


4 comments:

  1. I decided to try Excel to test how it can support the development of a hypothesis. I created a number machine spreadsheet organized into 3 columns. The students typed a number of their choosing into a "mystery cell" that was programmed with a mathematical equation. The students had to write a hypothesis as to how the number was being manipulated. They then chose a second number to test the hypothesis. After testing several times, the students drew a conclusion as to how the cell was programmed. The students then created an Excel pathway maze for numbers to go through. I think the hypothesis stage is critical as it creates a risk taking, safe learning environment.

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  2. First I wanted to say how great your blog page looks. I am definitely taking some tips. What do you teach? In the picture above your students seem to be enjoying the learning process and the use of technology. Do you do a lot of group work in your classroom? What do think is important for students to know when you give a project?

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  3. You are right in saying that technology is all around us. One cannot ignore it anymore. It would be detrimental to our students if we did so. The workplace needs employees who can not only use technology, but think for themselves. I think that the constructionism approach satisfies those two needs. When students create their own projects, they learn about the subject they are researching as well as how to go about solving a problem. Therefore, construtionism aids students learn and helps prepare them for a better future.

    Nancy Custeau Chidester

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  4. Diana,

    After reading your blog I am thinking of how to apply constructionist learning to technology itself. I realized that I don't really know how a computer works. If the students could construct a representation of a computer, they would gain a better understanding of how it works and be able to use it better. As far as the hypothesis project, the students could make predictions about search engine statistics and test them out.

    Thanks,
    Richard

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