Constructivism in Practice

This week Dr. Orey discussed the constructivism theory. In short, the constructivism theory is when students are engaged in their learning and are creating an artifact to demonstrate their learning.

I feel there are many different ways to incorporate constructivism within classrooms today, with and without technology. I do know that some teachers are still hesitant to use technology based projects with students due to lack of teacher knowledge or training on the program, lack of time, and lack of technological resources. Most artifacts can be done with or without technology. However, technology can sometimes increase student motivation as well as creativity. For example, if students took a virtual field trip to an animal shelter, they may create a brochure to demonstrate their knowledge of a community helper that works there, a veterinarian. Students can surely create this on paper using different media but they can also create it on a template created in PowerPoint. Through the use of PowerPoint, students will more easily be able to search for real pictures that can connect their learning and aid with their memory. With paper, this may be a bit more difficult, but not impossible. Students can also demonstrate their creativity by choosing color schemes, placement of information and pictures, as well as fonts.

I feel with technology, students need to really know the information before they are able to apply it to an artifact. They cannot pretend to understand it and complete the artifact well. By using technology and creating artifacts students will need to use the primary mechanisms for learning through accommodation, assimilation, and equilibration. Teachers have a responsibility to provide examples, pictures, and experiences to aide in a student’s learning and through the mechanisms for learning. This will create a better understanding of new information, which will result in a quality artifact.