The constructivist theory is a theory based on the original ideas of Jean Paiget. In a constructivist theory, "students are engaged in learning and the process of creating an artifact" (Laureate Education Inc., 2008). Robin, a fellow Walden student stated, "Project based lessons are a fantastic way to integrate this theory" (Stimpson, 2010, May 26). I completely agree. I also found that the more I read about the constructivist theory, the more the wheels started turning in my head started turning as I started thinking of the endless ways to incorporate this into my classroom.
One of the supplemental resources for this week explains several thoughts about what a constructivist classroom should look like. The link is as follows: http://www.sedl.org/scimath/compass/v01n03/1.html. Ideas as simple as asking open-ended questions and encouraging dialogue between students are just a few of the thoughts on this website.
The chapter text, DVD, and many of my classmates express their interest in using technologies such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Power Point to have students create projects and complete assignments. I think I would also start introducing technology and designing classroom assignments that involve students using these technologies.
Finally, our instructor, Kathryn Arnold, provided a very helpful website on her personal website. The link to this website is as follows: http://webquest.sdsu.edu/designpatterns/all.htm. This website gives ideas for using WebQuest focusing on higher level thinking.
References:
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). BRidging learning theory, instruction, and technology, Baltimore: Author.
Stimpson, R. (2010, May 26). Constructivist/Constructionist Learning Theories. Message posted to EDUC 6711 discussion board, Week 4.
Online Learning in K-12 Schools
13 years ago
Posts
I felt the same way once I read more and more about all of these new ideas and theories. Also, thank you for the site that included 'easing into constructivism'. Next year, I will have a fresh bunch of students, but (as far as I know) no other teacher teaches with project-based learning. This will take some time for my students to ease into this new style of learning.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you found the website useful. I am going to use this next year as well!
ReplyDeleteJulie,
ReplyDeleteThe website Kathryn provided is great. When you get chance, there is an awesome link that I think you would find useful for your first graders. It is "who is on your money." I know that first graders, including my daughter, get the nickel and dime confused. By using this webquest project, I think the students might be able to distinguish the coins better. It is also a great history lesson as well!
Robin
Robin,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your idea. I have been working with my first graders on money for about two months and some of my students STILL get the nickel and dime mixed up. Thank you for your input!
Thanks for posting the great websites. I really enjoyed reading about what a constructivist classroom looks like. I think that it is important for educators to think about learning in this way. I believe it is important for students to create their own learning and try to solve problems to things that they want to learn more about. I believe learning can move into long term memory by teaching in this way. I liked reading about the fourth grade teacher that was having her students complete experiments dealing with heat.
ReplyDeleteI also enjoyed looking at the different webquests that were on the other website from Kathryn. Many of them were ones that I could incorporate into different units I teach. I really feel that webquests will get students to learn more by doing instead of just reading from a text book or learning from a teacher. Many times students want the answers right away and just want to be told the answer. I think that webquests will help students to do research and to find information on their own. Have you used webquests in the past?
Elizabeth
Elizabeth,
ReplyDeleteI too thought Kathryn's websites were very good resources. I have never used a webquest before so I am actually looking forward to exploring them over the summer. This will allow me the chance to plan ahead and think of some of the learning opportunities I can create and provide for my students.