Constructionism

This week, we explored various resources pertaining to the constructionist theory, which is the thought that students learn best when they are building and finding out information for themselves. One of the instructional strategies that align with the constructionist theory is that of project-based learning. With project-based learning, students research and find out information on their own, and then present it in a meaningful way. The teacher is there to provide guidance and help the students when questions arise.

We recently finished a unit on the Native Americans. When looking through the resources this week that support the constructionist theory, one of the websites had a unit on the Native Americans. It has some great ideas for students to explore what life was like for the Native Americans and how they responded to the Lewis and Clark expedition. It allows for the students to explore culture and many aspects of the expedition. It is more than students listening to a teacher lecture, they are finding out for themselves what is was like during the time when settlers began exploring North America. This is a great example of students constructing and exploring new information and then processing the information based on their discoveries. I want to incorporate more activities like the one mentioned above so that learning is more meaningful and productive for the students.

Cognitive Learning Theory

This week, we are studying the various cognitive learning theories. One of the cognitive learning theories is to effectively use images when teaching a new lesson. I really like the idea of using graphic organizers to present new information to the students. I use them all the time in my classroom. It not only organizes the new information, but allows for the students to visualize the new connections they are making in their minds.

In Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, and Malenoski (2007) give several examples of graphic organizers that have been made with Inspiration software. The organizers can be filled in by the students as they are working or can be presented to them beforehand with new information. In the future, I also want to include pictures in my graphic organizers. Then, students will make even more connections in their minds so that they will remember the information on a more long-term basis.

By allowing the students to visualize their new information, and make connections with previously learned material, they are learning by cognitive learning styles. I really find these theories effective because the students are able to put information into long-term memory.

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

http://www.inspiration.com/Educators

Behaviorism in Practice

This week, I read a chapter in Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, and Malenoski's text, Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, and I found it to be very informative. The chapter discusses how teachers can use spreadsheets to teach students the connection between putting forth effort in their school work and seeing good academic results. The students rate various aspects of the effort put into the assignment, and then compare the amount of effort with their grade on a test or project. The concept seems very simple to me, but so many of my students need to understand the idea that effort equals results. This idea is a great example of behaviorism. The more they put into an assignment, the better the grade they will receive, which is the positive reinforcement. Hopefully, students will continue the pattern of putting effort into their school work and as a result, will continue to receive good grades.

Chapter 10 discussed many ideas for using technology to reinforce homework and practice skills. There are many web resources to utilize in the classroom. One great resource mentioned in our text is the Brain Pop videos. I use these in my science class a great deal. They are excellent resources to introduce new concepts. After the lecture, there are a series of questions pertaining to the video lecture. If the student enters in the correct answer, they "celebrate" the right answer. If they answer is wrong, they have to try again. This concept is another example of behaviorism used well in technology. The students want to get the answer correct because they are positively reinforced. Here is a link from Wikipedia explaining the Brain Pop movies a little further: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BrainPOP

I believe that behaviorism is still very useful in the classroom today, although I do not believe it to be the only learning theory that should be used. However, students love technology where they can be positively reinforced and it promotes a supportive atmosphere in the classroom.

Resources

http://www.wikipedia.com

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