"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" (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn & Malenoski, 2007, p. 202). Generating and testing hypotheses is very much a constructionistic strategy. Constructivism/constructionism requires that students build their own meaning by building "something that they can share with others" (Laureate Education, Inc., 2009). Hypotheses are, by nature, meant to be shared and analyzed by others, leading to additional hypotheses. By posing a possible solution to a problem, students are retrieving information that is already known to them and synthesizing how this knowledge might fit with new observations.
"Technology can play a vital role in generating and testing hypotheses because new developments in probeware and interactive applets allow students to spend more time interpreting the data rather than gathering the data - a process that can be tedious and error prone" (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn & Malenoski, 2007, p. 203). Technology can be used to preform the multitude of calculations needed, accurately, allowing the student to focus on what the calculations and data show. Technology can also facilitate the exploration of possible alternative outcomes. By simply changing some of the data, students can explore the positive/negative changes that occur.
Instructional strategies like these and others correlate with the principles of constructivist/constructionist learning theories.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2009). Program seven. Constructionist & Constructivist Learning Theories [Motion picture]. Bridging Learning Theory, Instruction, and Technology. Baltimore:Orey.
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
More Adventures in Ed Tech with ESL learners
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I am not the greatest in math and I always depended upon my calculator to help me figure out basic computation - simply because it was easier than having to figure it out by hand. As we enter the 21st century, our society has become more dependent of technology in various aspects of our lives. I understand the importance of being able to perform basic math without the use of a calculator, however, there are so many students that will never be able to perform this basic skill on their own ever.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the section in the book about the teacher who provided her students with the mathematical formulas for Excel made me think about this concept (Pittler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007 p 207). If it is okay to do this, then why do we make such a big fuss about using calculators in math class? Why wouldn't we continue to implement this standard across the board?
Pitler, H. Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD
Constructivism or constructionism on Century 21 by Juan Delgado
ReplyDeleteI would like to post this information in your blog as a compliment of your thoughts
What is constructivism? A theory of knowledge stating that each individual actively constructs his/her own meaning.
What is constructionism? A theory of learning that states people learn best when they build an external artifact or something that can share with others.
The process of constructionism has four specific mechanism of learning as follow:
Assimilation: Assimilation occurs when external reality is made to fit when one’s current beliefs and understanding. (Scheme)
Accommodation: Accommodation occurs when one’s current believes and understanding (scheme) is altered to fit the external reality.
Equilibration: Is the process of achieving a balance between differences in external reality and one’s current beliefs and understanding. (Scheme).
Scheme: A Scheme is a representation of an n outline of a system or object.
All this mechanism are connected and balance during the learning process.
When a teacher plans a constructionist activity, students are engaged in learning and with the process of “building” using tools and technology.
Assimilation, accommodation, equilibration and scheme are definitely, mechanisms that we all apply when are trying to acquire new knowledge.
Constructionist activities should be include on teachers weekly activities in order to develop students skills about using technology and braking with the daily routine of using pencil and paper.
My thoughts about Constructionism:
I believe in constructionism and proof of that is my students have a mandatory assignment, every marking period; when they need to use technology. Foe example, I have my students construct a project-based or a problem-based, original and creative on a determine topic; the common ones are the projects that consist of creating a power point presentation or simply writing an essay. The time allows for each project can vary from 90 minutes to a week; and student gets involve with the mechanism of learning as: Assimilation, accommodation, equilibrium and scheme. The most productive are the project where students have not a strong scheme. For example, last week, one activity consisted of do research about common alloys; students have idea about stainless steels and brass these students were more confident searching because they have an idea about this alloys, but the reaction was different when students were ask to do research about pewter and amalgam because they have no scheme about them. During this activity students are engage creating something. At times is a real challenge for students to work with Power Point.
My thoughts about Constructivism:
Students are not too familiar with doing invention or analyzing experimental inquiry. This week students are finishing with a project based on problem based, they did choose a topic and need to apply the steps of Scientific Method and write an essay about it. A group student were interested in finding out about peer opinion regarding the use of “uniform” instead of regular “outfit” and the effect on learning. During this activity students are engage constructing they own meaning or knowledge about the situation... At times is a real challenge for students to do data analysis to show experimental results.
Juan Delgado.
Susan,
ReplyDeleteEven though I don't use spreadsheets like Excel with my third graders now, I'm planning on doing it next year. I personally use Excel for many purposes. One is to keep my grade book. It is so easy to let the system average everything for you. One thing I also find useful in Excel is the feature of adding comments. That way if I'm allowing my students to redo work I can always note what their first score was. In addition to planning on using Excel with my class next year, I'm also planning on using concept maps. These two types of learning tools can help my students manipulate the information and visualize it at the same time. That type of learning experiences will help our students understand ideas and content in a more meaningful way. I'm excited about the new things I will learn and share with my students next year. Are you too?
Thank you.
Yolanda
I like your Science based approach and having your students test hypothesis and correlations. This will get students engaged in the probelm and have them inturn activley seek to solve definatley Constructionist approach. Technology as you pointed out is a great tool for sutdents to use to do calculations adn make visual representations of their data.
ReplyDeleteEric
Jaclyn - I hope in time we will stop making such a big fuss about using calculators. We should be pushing our education standards to keep up with current technology. I'm all for teaching students how to think, but I don't think blugoning them with basic skill drills is doing it. I believe all students should be exposed to how to perform basic operations, but then we must move beyond that with the help of current technology if we are truly to expect higher level thinking & reasoning.
ReplyDeleteSusan R.