Constructivism in Practice

Problem-based and project-based learning experiences can be powerful when incorporated into the classroom. I have always believed that learning this way rather than lecturing and notetaking was more effective, I just did not know exactly why. After Dr. Orey spoke about constructivism and construction.....I understand how the students learn through these experiences. Constructionism is important in the classroom, because is all about first hand personal experiences, and that is what learning is all about. We, as teachers, want our students to relate their learning to their lives and make it personal.  The mechanism that go along with this are; assimilation, equilibration, and accomidation.  All of these mechanism should be incorporated in the methods of how we teacher. We need to make sure our teaching can fit for intpretation, achieve balance, and allow for understanding of new concepts.

Generating and testing hypotheses is a strategy that can help students learn and greatly related to the constructivism theory.  Ever since I was in my undergraduate study, I have always related hypotheses to science concepts and teaching. However, after reading Using Technology With Classroom Instructions that Work.... I have changed my thinking.  There are six ways that teachers can help students to test and generate hypotheses. I see myself using three of these in my Social Studies class. One of the tasks I use is; problem solving. Problem solving is crucial in any subject area, it helps students to be sound and responsible citizens in Social Studies. I try to teach my students about the constution and historical concepts, then I ask them to put themselves in another type of situation and problem solve. The second one I use is; historical investigations. My students especially love to "mysteries in history". We recently did these in social studies on major unsolved American mysteries, like the disapperance of Amelia Earhart, Salem Witch Trials, Linberg Baby Kidnapping, JFK assassination, Lincoln Assassination, and many more.  My kids truly enjoyed this learning experience and it matched the constructivsm theory is several ways. First, the students felts as though they were gaining insight and investigators on the case, first hand. This also allowed them to come up with their own interpretation of what happened....another powerful experience for them.  Also, decision making is another strategy I use when teaching in Social Studies. I am often asking my students to make their own decisions and what they would do if they were in a certain type of situation......usually this requires them to do some higher level thinking skills.

Technology plays a very vital role in engaging students and incorporating the above strategies. I am constantly having my students use internet resources for research, practice, and even review. Pitler et al, describes "When teachers vary the processes in their classroom, they are following the classroom recommendation that their students be engaged in different types of hypothesis generation". I believe that if the same routine is constantly followed for learning experiences, students will get bored and stop learning.   Muzzy Lane's "Making History" is a great website to allow for assimilation in the classroom with historical concepts and understanding, this is something I would like to use. It reminds me of the "Oregon Trail" game I use to play when I was in elementary school, it engaged me in learning about historical concepts, and required me to use economic skill and decision making was encouraged...very powerful!