Constructivism in Practice

I really like the Constructionism Theory. I think that a lot of students need those hands on moments to really build an understanding of something. Even if they are not hands on students, those experiences help to gain more understanding on any given topic. I have always been the type of person that needs to do something in order to learn it. I cannot sit through a lecture and take anything from it. Because I know who I am as a learner, I try to incorporate many different strategies in my classroom for my different learners. Constructionism is no exception.

Through this weeks reading of Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, I noticed that there was one recommendation they made for classroom practice that just stood out. They stated "Make sure students can explain their hypotheses and conclusions." I thought, "Wow! This is so similar to the questions that I always ask my students, 'How did you get this?' and 'Why is this true?'" Those questions really push students to think about how they got their answer. It allows for them to think more about the process of solving a problem rather than focusing on getting it correct.

One strategy that was talked about was that of data collection tools. The math unit that my fourth graders are currently in, is about data collection and methods of organizing it once it has been collected. I think that being able to input data into a computer program and to organize it from there would be a fascinating experience, especially for those kids who are more analytical. I also liked the idea of sharing the information with other people online.

Finally, the using web resources to gain information is valuable. There is so much to learn and it never ends. We are constantly building our knowledge with everyday experiences. The Internet is a great resource to find answers to questions and gain more knowledge on topics. I find myself hooked on Google when looking for answers. I believe that we need to teach our students to use the resources available to them and that the Internet is a great resource if used appropriately.

I believe that the Constructionism/Constructivism Theory allows students to build on what they already know, but to gain knowledge from doing something interactive. They need time to play, manipulate, build, and learn from being creative. That is what this theory allows them to do. Yes, we all make mistakes, and yes, they will too, but we also learn from those mistakes. In order to have those "ah-ha" moments that we get when we understand something new, we need to be put into a situation that allows us to play, manipulate and build.