Constructionism in Action!
“You
mean we get to make something in class?”
Wow, I remember saying that when I was a student. To be able to create something in class was
such an event, that I can remember many of the large projects I did 20+ years
ago. Maps of the explorers that
discovered Canada, Olympic Villages of my design, a diorama of the northern
Tundra and an anatomically correct knee joint with a removable patella
bone. How is it I can remember making
these projects from so long ago? Oh wait, I know…Constructionism!
Dr.
Orey states that Constructionism is the theory of learning where people learn
best when they get to create something that they can share (Laureate Education,
2010). Apparently the ability to share a creating engages students, and gives
them a greater capacity to learn.
I
was blown
away by Voicethreads this week
) http://www.personal.psu.edu/jun3/blogs/webresume/VoiceThread-WP(2).pdf)
. How can you possibly share your work
with the world in a better way? People
can give their opinions/thoughts/collaborative ideas on your creation through
video, text or voice.
Even
the use of data collection tools and spreadsheets (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn &
Malenoski, 2007) give our students a chance to create something they can share
and interpret with others. It was said
so well in our text, such tools illustrate how technological applications help
teachers to combine the instructional strategies that affect student
achievement (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn & Malenoski, 2007). If I am still able to remember my projects,
which were made of clay, paper browned with tea bags, markers and glue sticks,
will all of this technology that’s everyday available allow students to remember
more of their work down the line?
References
Laureate
Education, Inc. (2010). Behaviorist learning theory. Baltimore, MD:
Dr. Michael Orey.
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K.
(2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works.
Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
Josh,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your enthusiasm about the impact of constructionist learning upon a student. Isn't it a great thrill to see the energy that comes from a student engaged in building and constructing the learning of their own and those of their peers.
The data collection tools that you mention are also of great interest and would be of great use for assessment and self analysis by the student. My concern presently is in the technological limitations that would keep me from implementation. If there were only greater consistancy in software and systems to support broader usage, and technical and political infratstructure to support it.
Thank you for your post.
Jim
Josh,
ReplyDeleteI thought the Voice Thread was great too! I can't stop looking at other Voice Threads. I'm working on having my students (3rd grade) use excel. I am slightly intimidated by it, so I get a little worried about teaching the kids how to use it, but I think its a great tool and one that they could use in the future.
Amy
Josh,
ReplyDeleteIn your last paragraph you stated "If I am still able to remember my projects, which were made of clay, paper browned with tea bags, markers and glue sticks, will all of this technology that’s everyday available allow students to remember more of their work down the line?" I believe that technology can be a tool to add to all of those memorable experiences that students have in the classroom. I teach middle school art and I love art along with the opportunity that I have Mon.-Fri. to spend teaching my students the power of art. Do I ever want to give up the hands on experience that comes along with art like painting, sculpting, printmaking and so on.....NO WAY! But technology can be a tool for students to build on what they have learned in my class and share with others as the Constructionist Theory suggests.
P.S. Love, love, love the cartoon illustration you posted with this weeks blog post! I printed it out and I'm posting it to my cabinet at school! Thanks for the post!
Amanda
Thanks Amanda! I am a big Far Side fan.
ReplyDeleteJosh
Josh,
ReplyDeleteI am a big fan of technology and using it whenever possible in the classroom. As a CTE instructor, I find that it can be a challenge using some of the technology talked about with this program. A few of the projects that I have incorporated technology like CAD to my woodworking class, I get responses like “What does this have to do with wood working” etc. I inform them that they are created the blueprint of the next project that they are building. All the information that they need will be pulled from their blueprint. I am guilty of being narrow minded, but like my students, I have to learn to adapt to new ideas.
Jeremy,