Constructivism in Practice

From this week’s resources, I have learned new strategies that correlate with constructionist/constructivist learning theories and embed technology. Constructionism as Dr. Orey explained, “is a theory of learning that states people learn best when they build an external artifact or something they can share with others” The instructional strategies presented in this week’s readings provide educators with valuable tools that allow students to learn through generating and testing hypotheses. The six tasks that can be utilized by teachers to help students generate and test hypotheses as presented by (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, Malenoski, 2007) are: “systems analysis, problem solving, historical investigation, invention, experimental inquiry, and decision making. “ (p.203) When students are engaged in one of these six tasks, they are actually, “engaged in learning and the process of creating an artifact.” Moreover, generating and testing hypotheses is correlated with Project-Based Learning that was explained by Han, S., & Bhattacharya, K. (2001), “Project Based Learning is a teaching and learning strategy that engages learners in complex activities.” Also, (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, Malenoski, 2007) stated that, “when students generate and test hypotheses, they are engaging in complex mental processes, applying content knowledge like facts and vocabulary, and enhancing their overall understanding of the content.” (p.202)

This week’s readings provided us with examples of how to implement the strategies in our classrooms. One of the examples that attracted me is the example by Dave McDivitt. In this example, students investigated the causes that led to the war by using web resources and gaming software in the form of interactive applets and simulations (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, Malenoski, 2007) Each student takes on the role of a country leader who makes policy decisions for the country his/her are leading.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Program seven. Constructionist and Constructivist Learning Theories[Motion picture]. Bridging learning theory, instruction, and technology. Baltimore: Author.
Han, S., and Bhattacharya, K. (2001). Constructionism, Learning by Design, and Project Based Learning. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved May 27, 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.