Constructivism Theory in Practice

According to Constructionism Theory, knowledge is “actively constructed in the mind of the learner” (Hans & Bhattacharya, 2001).

We have a concept in our mind (a schema).  When new information is presented, that schema needs to be assimilated or accommodated so our mind can be in equal balance (equilibration).  A child knows that a four-legged, furry animal is a dog.  The child comes upon a dog and says, “dog.”  The child comes upon another four-legged, furry animal and calls it “dog” (assimilation).  But when another four-legged, furry animal comes by and is a “cat” the child still calls it a dog until it climbs a tree, which a dog cannot do.  The mind will accommodate that new knowledge and come back into equilibration. (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011).

In a classroom setting, students who are actively engaged in learning new information by questioning, discussing, and creating an artifact, change a concept to fit their new schema. Students question and generate a hypothesis about this new knowledge.  They test their hypothesis and form conclusions so this new knowledge will fit into their schema and they will be in equilibration again.  Teachers can use technology tools like Excel Interactive spreadsheets, Webspiration, and data collection tools like digital probes to help students construct new knowledge.  In a 21^st century classroom students are not memorizing and digesting facts.  Students are constructing new schemas by collaborating and making an end product to show their learning. They have a targeted audience for their artifact.

Projects are student centered.  The teacher can set the focus from the standards.  The teacher can ask a few questions but the students set the path they take to answer those questions.  The students decide on how their information will be presented to their class or audience.  The teacher is a facilitator and can be a learner with the students.

There are many technology tools students can use to learn new things.  I plan to use some of the STEM activities that I found at http://www.gk12.org/resources/stem-activities-and-resources-for-k-12-teachers-and-students/ .  I plan a butterfly unit each fall and will add project based learning with the Monarch Butterfly Project, Journey North http://www.learner.org/jnorth/monarch/.

When projects are student centered, students are motivated to learn.

Technology Tools to use in Primary Classrooms

iPad app Angry Birds – players learn about laws of physics (trajectory, gravity, thrust)

www.plimoth.org  - thousands of elementary students take tours of the Plimoth Plantation each November.

References:

Han, S., and Bhattacharya, K. (2001). Constructionism, Learning by Design, and Project Based Learning. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved 23 July 2013, fromhttp://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2011). Program seven: Constructionist and constructivist learning theories [Video webcast]. Bridging learning theory, instruction and technology. Retrieved from http://laureate.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=5700267&CPURL=laureate.ecollege.com&Survey=1&47=2594577&ClientNodeID=984650&coursenav=0&bhcp=1

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E. R., & Kuhn, M. (2012). Using technology with classroom instruction that works (2^nd ed.). Alexandria, VA: ASCD.