Constructivism in Practice

The most important moment in a child’s education is when he connects with something that will engage his interest and encourage further exploration.
—Howard Gardner, Address at Brigham Young University, March 1998

To understand constructivist and constructionist you first have to know the meaning of each.  Constructivism as Dr. Orey puts it is, “A theory of knowledge stating that each individual activity constructs his/her own meaning” (Laureate Education, Inc., 2010).  As for constructionism Dr. Orey states its, “A theory of learning that states people learn best when they build an external artifact or something they can share with others” (Laureate Education, Inc., 2010).  Project based instruction correlates with the principles of constructivist/ constructionist in many ways such as allowing students to construct their own ideas of learning.  For example, “Constructionism is when students are engaged in learning and the process of creating artifacts” (Laureate Education, Inc., 2010).  With project based learning you are engaging students with authentic learning activities by connecting student’s interest and motivation.  Dr Michael Orey states, “If your students are engaged in creating something even if their writing a word processing document their engaged in creating something and whatever tool you choose to use if the students are the people creating it that’s constructionism” (Laureate Education, Inc., 2010).

“A teacher who incorporates technology greatly expands the pool of resources, means of instructional presentations and support, and modes of product creation available to students, and is thus better equipped to meet varying student needs” (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007, p. 219).  Kindergarteners show a great amount of interest and motivation when they are allowed to use or play on the computer.  With that being said, I believe by incorporating technology into my classroom and allowing my students to build something whatever that may be, they are making the most of the constructionism approach.

Construction Activities:

http://www.innovativelearning.com/educational_psychology/constructivism/activities.html

Project, Problem, and Inquiry-based Learning: http://eduscapes.com/tap/topic43.htm

Reference:

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2010). Program seven. 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.

Using Cognitive Tools to Enhance Learning Experiences

Growing up I always thought of myself as being a visual learner.  I thought of a visual learner as being the hardest person to teach because things didn’t come easy for me.  I remember the teacher’s explaining an assignment or activity and not really being able to process the information.  This was very disturbing for me and I always thought there was something wrong with me.  The fact is, you could not tell me how to do something but, instead you had to show me.  I always thought, when I become a teacher I will make sure my visual learners know what they are learning and doing before just assigning an assignment.  The idea here is not to teach one way but instead teach to all students.  Cognitive learning is the product of listening, watching, touching or experiencing.  If we select one over the other in terms of what to teach, we are leaving so many students behind and that is not what we as educators should be doing.    

The instructional strategies that I explored this week correlate with the principles of cognitive learning theory in many ways.  “The instructional strategy cues, questions, and advance organizers focuses on enhancing students’ ability to retrieve, use, and organize information about a topic” (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007 p73).  Cues are direct and given by the teacher.  Questions are targeting prior knowledge.  Advanced organizers are given before an assignment to help understand content.  “The instructional strategy summarizing and note taking focuses on enhancing students’ ability to synthesize information and distill it into a concise new form” (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007 p119).  Students are doing that by utilizing the resources they have and building on skills.  The cognitive learning theory is connected because the information is modeled using technology and later put to use by students.      

These instructional strategies will help me teach for understanding by allowing my students the opportunity to learn the way they do whether it’s auditory, visual or kinesthetic.  “The technology, in turn, provides you with editable visual aids and multimedia resources that appeal to a number of learning styles” (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007 p79).  Technology will be integrated into my classroom so that my students get the best education they can receive.   “One of the powerful things we could do from a cognitive theory perspective is we could create a rich experience and this rich experience could be the foundational experience in this network of ideas that a child could have when their learning a content” (Laureate Education, Inc., 2010).  I will teach my students how to process and remember information with the help of the web tools that are available.  “For many students, multimedia is very effective because it helps them both activate prior knowledge and develop a mental model to help them understand new information” (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007 p82).   

     

Reference:

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2010). Program six. Spotlight on technology: Virtual field trips [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.

Learning Styles URL:

http://www.learningrx.com/types-of-learning-styles-faq.htm

Reflecting on some strategies that relate to behaviorist learning theory

I believe the two instructional strategy of reinforcing effort and homework and practice are related to behaviorist theory in many ways.  “The instructional strategy of reinforcing effort enhances students’ understanding of the relationship between effort and achievement by addressing their attitudes and beliefs about learning” (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoskil, 2007 p155).  Students are in control of the effort that they apply to a task or any given assignment, however; when the effort they apply is very minimal or lacking, reinforcing the effort is required.  “Reinforcement is the cardinal motivator.  Positive reinforcers like rewards and successes are preferable to negative events like punishments and failures” (Smith, K. 1999).  In order for students to realize how important effort is a relationship between effort and achievement needs to be made.  If students know they will not receive the maximum points because of their lack of effort, they will increase the amount of effort to maximize their achievement.  

Giving students a chance to practice what they learned at school with homework materials is a great way of extending the school day.  “Having students practice a skill or concept enhances their ability to reach the expected level of proficiency.  Multiple exposures to material help students deepen their understanding of content and become proficient with skills” (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoskil, 2007 p188).  A higher level of achievement is obtained when students are given extra practice that they can apply and review.  “Behaviorist techniques have long been employed in education to promote behavior that is desirable and discourage that which is not” (Smith, K. 1999).  For those students that do not take advantage of the extra practice at home the consequence is not obtaining a higher level of proficiency.  Students then make the connection and try harder for the better grade and the behavior is rewarded. 

For more information on the two strategies I talked about please visit the following websites.  For homework and practice http://www.netc.org/focus/strategies/home.php and for reinforcing effort http://www.netc.org/focus/strategies/rein.php

Reference:

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.

Smith, K. (1999). The behaviorist orientation to learning. In The encyclopedia of informal education. Retrieved from http://www.infed.org/biblio/learning-behavourist.htm