When discussing constructionism, one should focus on the significance that people develop and demonstrate understanding by building artifacts. But, to create these artifacts, we must have firsthand experience with new content in order to understand it. Overall, constructionism is constructing anything, using any tools, as long as the learner is actively engaged in the construction of artifacts.
In this week’s resources the authors focused on the importance of generating and testing hypotheses. Technology related sources which related to this tactic were PowerPoint, spreadsheet software, data collection tools and Web resources. When working with these medias, the main objective in the lesson should be having the student clearly explain their hypotheses and conclusions. Instead of having the student create an artifact from scratch, it is sometimes necessary for the teacher to develop the “bones” of the project or spreadsheet and then let the students manipulate it to find their results. Experimental inquiry will naturally take place when students are allowed to explore the many avenues to prove their hypothesis.
Constructionism will take place in any lesson when students are able to analyze a problem, problem solve, conduct an investigation, decision make and finally create an artifact centered around the objective of the lesson.
Stephanie Coultrip
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Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteI am glad that you linked new knowledge with a constuctionist activity. I have seen teachers attempt to have students learn new content through an activity and have it fail. It is very difficult to create an artifiact when the knowledge about the subject is not present.
Phil