According to Dr Orey, the constructionist theory of learning states that people learn best when they create an external artifact or something they can share with others (Laureate, 2008). There are several modes of technology that support this learning theory.
The technology that is the most practical for my kindergarten students is Power Point. We have made many class power points, where they students help write and insert pictures, but we make just one Power Point together as a class. We have made Power Points for each letter of the alphabet, with our site words, we have re written our favorite stories, and we have made Power Points to tell about other specific academic content. While my students are not creating their own Power Point, they still have a major part in creating one as a class. As students get older they can be even more independent in the creation of a Power Point project to share with the class.
Using software to generate and test a hypothesis “enables students to see the bigger picture and recognize patterns” (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007, pg. 210). Microsoft Excel enables the teacher to set the formula so all students have to do is input their data. This allows them to focus on the product instead of the process. I can see how this would really be of benefit for upper grades. I struggle with the idea of having my 5 year old students input data into a spreadsheet. I cannot even think of what lesson that would fit with.
There are several web resources that allow students “to use background knowledge, make decisions, and see the outcome of their hypothesis, often in virtual situations that would be impossible or financially unfeasible in real life” (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007, pg. 212-213). Again, I feel that this is a tool probably better suited to upper grades, but I am curious to explore some of these resources to see if any of them can be used in my class.
In all of these instances students are creating projects that can be shared with others. This fits in with what Dr. Orey states is the constructivist learning theory and in turn will help students to learn better.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Constructionist and Constructivist Learning Theories. [Motion Picture]. Bridging learning theory, instruction, and technology. Baltimore: Author
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
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Amber --
ReplyDeleteYou hit upon an important concept with your concerns about the appropriate use of technology in the classroom. While I think it might be marvelous to do more and more virtual assignments, I also see great value in the tangible products created by students. For example, in my first-grade daughter's classroom, the students celebrate birthdays by having each student create a picture and write a positive message to the birthday boy or girl. Then, all those papers are collected into a book to give to the one celebrating the birthday. My daughter was so thrilled to read the messages from her classmates! That book will be one of the pieces that lives in her hope chest of memories.
With a totally virtual classroom, she would not have had the same experience. True, students can create pictures on the computer, they can type messages on the computer, and those documents could be compiled into one master document and emailed to the student. But, just like a hand-written note to a colleague completely trumps an email for impact, the same can be said for those birthday books.
Additionally, for young children, much of the development they experience at school is in the form of eye-hand coordination, social interaction, and self-expression. While it is true that the States require all sorts of standards to be met as far as content, school is still a place to learn about life, where we also work on spelling and math. So many of those essential skills and personal growth experiences cannot be replaced by technology!
-Andrew
Amber,
ReplyDeleteI really like the idea of a class powerpoint! First of all, it allows the students step by step understanding of how to use the program. Secondly, it allows students to brainstorm and be creative as a whole group. I think its nice for students to gain ideas and understanding from large groups as well as smaller groups.
Amber,
ReplyDeleteYour use of software will pay off for your students in the future. If the trend continues throughout their education, your learners will be building knowledge with technology instead of asking their teacher what to do next. Nice job and thank you for sharing.
Andrew- I really like the idea of a birthday book. I am going to do that next year with my class! I agree that with young children sometimes it is better to do a tangible project than a technological one. You stated it so perfectly, that teaching young children is not just teaching them the standards, but about life. Those kinds of skills cannot be replaced by technology. Using technology is a very fine balance, and one that I still struggle with.
ReplyDeleteJeff and Ken- thank you for the kind words. I believe that my students enjoy making our class PowerPoints. My hope is that it does at least expose them to technology so that they are able to use it on their own with some ease.