Constructivism in Practice
According to Pittler, H. Hubbell, E. Kuhn,M. & Malenoski, K. there are six task students use to create and test hypotheses; 1. System analysis, 2. Problem Solving, 3. Historical Investigations, 4. Invention, 5. Experimental inquiry, and 6. Decision Making. All of these complex mental processes are generally present in project based learning.
Mrs. Omar's lesson on Savings, Investment and Interest Rates with her interactive worksheet is an engaging lesson. But I can't help thinking it could be better by tiering her lesson. She may be surprised that some of her students could create their own Spreadsheet. I believe the lesson is not truly a project based activity for the student, for the teacher, YES! A student just plugging in information to the premade sheet does not create higher level of thinking skills.
Mrs. Schwartz's lesson on Water ph Predication does require students to be actively engaged, make predictions, analysis and synthesis the information. Schwartz is using different instructional strategies to promote student achievement.
I was not surprise at the results of McDivitt's experiment. Video games are a huge part of a student's world. Also it is hands on and a form of competition, very motivating factors for students.
Educators need to realize just because a computer or some form of technology is being used does not mean it is automatically Project Based. We need to ask what is being created? To what degree? What is the outcome we are looking for? How will it be judged by process or product?
Or a combination?
My class is centered around project based learning and to be honest I do not know any other way teach. My students are engaged and motivated to learn. PBL allows my students to frequently make discoveries of new skills and knowledge.
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
I Am Elated!
13 years ago
Joy,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post. I like what you said about the use of a computer does not mean it is automatically project-based. I also liked the example about the ph level that was given. This would be a good lesson to incorporate into a lesson which would improve higher-order thinking skills. What kind of projects do you do in your classroom?
Joy,
ReplyDeleteThat was an interesting observation you made about Mrs. Omar's project. When you think about it she really was the one that did most of the technological set up work. However, her students did work with the programs and did see the results listed in linguistic and non linguistic form so the lesson did produce varied results with make the learning process a bit deeper for the students. But then again I also see your point. I use Excel to keep my fundraising and fee accounts and I students have come to my rescue many a time with their knowledge of the program.
Hello Joy,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your thoughts that Mrs. Omar could have allowed students to set up their own spread sheet.At least giving them the option as a homework assignment so its completed in time for her project. She may have been surprised at their creations. I also think like Mrs. Omar and try and prepare organizer as much as I can but after reading your post I think I will give my students more input into their projects.
Thanks for the insight,
Dawn
Hi Joy,
ReplyDeleteI agree with the idea of the spreadsheet lesson not being a higher level thinking question. What I did in my class, even before I read about this lesson, was to give my kids jobs. They then had to budget their own amounts for each area I gave them. This included utilities, house payments and more. They could choose not to pay things, but later in the lesson this might come back to bite them. (If they didn't have car insurance, they might not get money if they wreck their car)I feel that this created a lesson that was more student created and higher level in thought!
Boonz
ReplyDeleteCalendars, PhotoStory Projects, Brochures, Power Point, Spreadsheets, Wanted Posters,and Podcasts are some of the student's creations.
Some of the units I have developed for my my students are: Internet Safety, Creating a Product with a Marketing Plan, Technology Trauma (students relocate to another state, using only primitive forms of technology, plus all existing technology has disappeared). Family History, When I Grow Up (career exploration)
.My students love doing Webquest, and Scavenger Hunts. Next year I plan to have my students create Scavenger Hunts, Virtual Field Trips and Web Quests for their other classes.
Joy
Dawn,
ReplyDeleteIt does depend on your students age and readiness level. But I am often surprise at how profecient some students are and on the other hand how little others know.
Arielle,
ReplyDeleteGreat Idea! If you have a student that needs a bit of a challenge, make him/her the Banker. They will have to have other stidents report to them their spend and such to balance the books.
One year (before I had student computers) all my students had checking accounts, they paid for everything and received Burroughs Bucks for attendance, responses, assignment, citizenship...
The kids loved it! I did not know of the existence of Excel,it would have made this so much more manageable.
As I was writing this I decided I will do this with my students next year. Rotating the role as Banker every 2 weeks. Students will get paid for doing task and expectations of the room, and will pay for everything, i.e. printing, using the computer, bad attitude, using the chair, bathroom. Oh it will be fun, plus the skills they will gain!!
Thanks for refreshing my mind!!
Joy
Joy,
ReplyDeleteYou brought up a very good point about the students not creating a spreadsheet. Where as I do think it would take a lot of time to teach the students how to create a spreadsheet there may be a way to incorporate it. Perhaps it could be a form of differentiated instruction, the more advanced students could create an entire spreadsheet, where as those that are struggling with the basic concepts could use a template.
Joy,
ReplyDeleteI like your comments about our textbook and I always enjoy reading comments from people that are actively challenging all that is presented to us as being prototype lessons. I love challenging things and what not. It allows me to get more in depth with regards to checking resources and furthers knowledge of the subject / topic regarding particulars. I like your points made regarding the excel lesson from the book. It may be a legit project based lesson if they are instructed on how to create a spreadsheet and insert formulas, then they create what they did from scratch. However, that was not done and I agree that giving them a template and just having them enter in digits is not a project-based assignment that involves contructionism. Thanks for your posting.
Kevin
Kevin and Markeeta,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments.
I was thinking about cooperative learing and differentiated instruction,both of these provide social interactions but can also be used incorrectly.
I have gone into classrooms with so called cooperative learning was happening. But the students were not academically engaged. The teacher confessed that he had assigned tasks to the groups and thought they would do them. As with any strategies the teacher has to be up and moving around. A differentiated instruction saying is the teacher needs to be the "Guide on the Side not the Sage on the Stage."