Dr. Michael Orey states that constructivism is a theory of knowledge stating that each individual actively constructs his or her own meaning (Laureate, 2010). This is the unique, personal meaning that one creates for his or her ideas. Constructionism is a theory of learning that states people learn best when they build an artifact or something they can share with others. Build. Create. Discover. Share. Isn’t this how we all really like to learn?
By using approaches that support constructionist learning theories, teachers can use technology tools to help students develop artifacts that develop knowledge and demonstrate understanding. Presentation tools such as Powerpoint, Prezi, Glogster and Voicethread provide an engaging way for students to build and share artifacts of knowledge. Another powerful and analytical cognitive operation is generating and testing hypotheses. In order to generate and test hypotheses, students must apply knowledge. My second grade students are learning about the laws of balance and motion. They use deductive thinking in order to make predictions about the effects of weight, friction, acceleration and gravity. This week they used an online roller coaster simulation in order to build and test their knowledge. After building a roller coaster which was both exciting to the passengers, yet safe, the students were able to test their predictions and knowledge.
Students were then asked to share their knowledge, the hypotheses they generated and why their hypotheses made sense to them. They took a screen shot of the roller coaster that they built and inserted it into a Word document, where they explained their thinking in writing. Watching the students construct, test and then rebuild their roller coasters gave me first hand testimony to the constructionism learning theory and its effectiveness in the classroom.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2010). Bridging Learning Theory, Instruction, and Technology. Program Number 7: Constructionist and Constructivist Learning Theories [Webcast]. Baltimore: Author.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2010). Bridging Learning Theory, Instruction, and Technology. Program Number 7: Constructionist and Constructivist Learning Theories [Webcast]. Baltimore: Author.
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Cindy, What a great project! I'm impressed that you can do this with 2nd grade. It was an excellent example of what Dr. Orey talks about in is video, where students are engaged in learning and in creating an artifact. Sounds like a terrific lesson!
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