This week’s video and reading assignment were very informative. In the video, Dr. Orey discussed constructivism and constructionism. Constructivism is the idea that everybody creates their own meaning associated with a word based on prior experiences. Constructionism is the theory that people learn best when they build something they can share with others. We learn through experiences or project-based learning. Our reading assignment from Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, was focused on “generating and testing hypotheses”.
True learning takes place when students are asked to think about a problem, formulate possible solutions based on their prior knowledge, and then use hands-on materials or simulations to test the solutions. This process will help the students develop higher order thinking skills. I see this as something that is lacking in many classrooms. Students are not being expected to think or make decisions on their own without depending on their parents or their teachers to give them the answers. How can these students ever know what success is, if they have never experienced failure? I think it is critical for student to be taught to use what we called “the scientific process” in order for them to succeed in the jobs of the future.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2010). Constructionist and constructivist learning theories [Webcast]. Bridging learning theory, instruction and technology. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
If students are always told what the answers are to their questions the material will never reach their long term memory. It is when they actually get involved in their own learning that the information can then be stored into their long term memory. People learn best by doing. We as teachers need to create an environment for them so that they can experience things on their own and solve problems to find the answers. Having students generate a hypothesis gets them to think about what the outcomes could be. Then they are able to use technology to help them find the correct answer. By doing this the information will be more likely to stick with them because of the memorable experience.
ReplyDeleteWell said. We as teachers must find a way to get the information to stick. Students must take responsibility for their own work. They can't expect others to do it for them. The more interesting and involved the lessons are, the more our students get out of them.
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