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Using Technology to Transform the Classroom

 

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 Constructivism and Constructionism

There are many reasons that teachers should engage students in a different kind of learning experience that promotes a more engaging learning environment.  In this week’s resources, Dr. Orey  presented  two theories which positively help to make .  They are the Constructionist and Constructivist theory.  Both theories allow the students to construct their own knowledge and understanding of things.   When a teacher implements the theory of Constructivism, he/she  is allowing students the opportunity to construct in their own minds a hypothesis which is unique to the student. Constructionism, on the other hand, promotes the students ability to build an external artifact or something that the student can share with others.  It allows the student to get involved first hand in building something.     (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011).    

In the Reading, Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, the recommendation on page 204 states that teachers should “engage students in a variety of structured tasks for generating and testing hypotheses,” and “ask students to explain their hypotheses or predictions and their conclusions.” Pitler, Hubbel, and Huhn offer a multitude of resources to assist teachers in making the learning experience for students more interactive and thought provoking.  Sites such as Kidspiration and Inspiration offer templates to help organize higher-level cognitive tasks.  Other sites offered are Windward, which is an interactive game that helps students learn about weather and wind patterns, and Hurrican Strike, which is a simulation from the university Corporation for Atmospheric Research.  There are too many resources to mention, but each one makes for a gratifying lesson for the student and the teacher. Such resources allow students to think in ways that are unique to today’s classroom environment.     (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011).    

 

References

 

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2011). Program seven: Constructionist and constructivist learning theories [Video webcast]. Bridging learning theory, instruction and technology. Retrieved from  

 

Orey, M. (Ed.). (2001). Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved

from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Main_Page 

 

Pitler, H., & Hubbell, E. R. (2012). Using technology with classroom instruction that works (2nd ed.). Alexandria, Va.: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.