Constructionism in Practice

Constructivism in Practice

Constructionism engages a student in learning and creating. This creating and experimenting allows students to make their own assimilations and accommodations for the concepts that they are learning (Laureate, 2009). In doing so, students are building a better understanding.

I think the idea of project-based and problem-based strategies being used in the classroom is very beneficial for the students. When I assign a project to the students, they become very excited. This excitement opens their mind for more learning. The students are much more aware of what they are doing and what they are learning, when they are interacting with the concept. My students enjoy making Powerpoints, Imovies, and simply using the Internet to research for their assigned topic. When telling the students that they were going to research and write a report for what we were learning, I expected them to moan and groan, but found that they were extremely excited, partly because they were able to use the computers to as a learning tool.

We also read this week about generating a hypothesis. As I was reading this, I was thinking about how it was a great strategy for the students. The process of doing this can help “increase motivation and retention in learning” (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, Malenoski, 2007, pg 213) for the students. By creating a hypothesis, the students are in a way challenged to find if it is correct or not. For them to determine the validity of their hypothesis, they are going to need to collect data and research. Then after collecting the data students can record it in a Microsoft Excel program or a table. After being placed in these programs, they can manipulate the information to decide if their hypothesis is correct or not. If it is not correct, they can use their information to form a new hypothesis.

Not only is can constructionism benefit the student themselves, but it can also allow them to help their peers. By allowing students to construct their own project or solve the problem on their own they understand the process that they went through to find the resolution. After finding the solution, they are able to share their project with their peers. In having the students share with one another, students are learning not just about their project, but about all of the projects in class. At times, it is beneficial to let students work and create with a partner. When students work together with a peer or in a small group, they are able to bounce ideas off of one another, which gives them the opportunity to create a great project or solve a problem differently than they normally would have solved it.

I feel that constructionism is a strategy teachers should use when possible in class. It is a strategy that can be incorporated and integrated into the classroom in a variety of ways. When applying this technique in the classroom, children are able to create their own understanding and knowledge of the given topic.

References:

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Bridging learning theory, instruction, and technology. Baltimore: Author.

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