The constructivism and constructionist learning theories support learning where students learn through direct experience or discovery. Dr. Orey (2008) summarises constructionism as a theory of learning that asserts that students learn best when they build an artifact or something that they can share with others. Inherent in this definition is the idea that teachers should be facilitators that provide the enabling learning environment through which students can derive their own meaning through discovery. The constructionists go a step further and suggest that students learn best when they construct something tangible.
The study materials for this week recommend several technology based tools that teachers can utilize to facilitate instructional activities where students can discover and create artifacts of their learning. Pitler et al. (2007) recommend software that students are able to use to generate and test hypothesis. They describe a number of interactive software that allow students to spend more time interpreting data rather than gathering data.
In addition, there are a number of project based learning technology that can be used to facilitate discovery learning. Project based tools enable students to improve skills such as, communication skills, presentation skills, organisational and time management skills, as they plan and develop their projects. There is very little doubt that these technological tools correlate well with constructivist and constructionist learning perspectives.
Reference:
Laureate Educational Inc., (Producer). (2009). Bridging learning theory, instruction, and technology. Baltimore: Dr. Micheal Orey
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E. & Kuhn, M. (2007) Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Virginia: ASCD.
With the limited technology I presently have in my classroom I am not able to do some of the suggested activites that are mentioned in the textbook. I can see in the picture that you posted above that you have activities that involve the constructionist theory and those are always fun for the children to do. I was curious, are there lesson that you complete with your students that encompass the theory of constructionism and would you share some of your ideas with me?
ReplyDeleteThere are lots of activities which can be done without the use of technology that do not require extensive use of computers to display the results. In the past, I have had the students create shadow boxes, dioramas, mobiles, models and other 3D items. The students have been able to work collaboratively or individually to represent their work in a tangible way. One of best projects I gave was for the students to create a law game that had to have a game board but other than that requirement they were left to their own devices. Some of the results were truly amazing and I was impressed both by the level of content and by the creativity. No computers needed.
ReplyDeleteAnother assignment that I gave was based on a novel study that had the students examine how the society in the book looked at law and justice. It was up to the students to decide how to represent the material. The most notable examples were a musical based on the Magna Carta, an interpretive dance based to music another student composed, and a video made with a camcorder. Again, I was amazed by the creativity and scholarship of the students.
I think that besides the technology not being available in some schools to support some of the constructionists tools in our resources that there is the question of time. The idea of the constructionist theory is that the student is actively engaged in order for effective learning to take place. I think that by viewing your student's project photo that this was accomplished. It does appear as though Word was utilized to include an explanation of the project. So in the end some type of technology was used in the final artifact. What was the arifact and lesson it represented posted on your blog?
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