“Generating and testing hypotheses is a strategy, I use in my 5th grade math and science class almost daily. When students generate and test hypotheses, they are engaging in complex, mental processes, applying content knowledge like facts and vocabulary enhancing their overall understanding of the content” (Palter, Hubbell, Kuhn, Malinowski, 2007, p. 202). The first goal of a teacher is to help students process and organize the content they are expected to master. The second goal is for students to take what they have organized and processed and learn how to apply it.
The instructional strategy generating and testing hypothesis provides students the opportunities to problem solve and make decisions. Students can take the information they have learned and processed and apply it to solve a problem. This particular strategy supports the idea of constructionist and constructivist. The constructionist/constructivist theory visualizes students actively constructing his/her own meaning. Generating and testing hypotheses enables students to predict or make an educated guess and then test it which in turn will provide meaning to the students.
Technology is a big part of our students’ life and in society. Anytime we may incorporate technology as a learning tool we are giving our students an advantage. In my classroom, I have used Microsoft Excel for students to utilize to collect and analyze data. Students have learned how to average, find the sum, and graph data using the spreadsheet. Another technology tool I use in my classroom is web resources. Considering my students have their own individual laptop in my room they have easier access to web resources. One site my students enjoy is www.edheads.org. Students have to take on a leadership role to perform certain tasks but before they make the decisions they must generate a hypothesis in order to test it. This will guide them into making good decisions and become better problem solvers.
Constructivist/Constructionist is about taking what you know and build upon it by interacting with the learning process. The achievement process begins with processing and organizing the information, but the actual learning process grows and becomes meaningful when students can interact and construct something of their own. Ultimately we want students to become self-directors, self-managers, and self-monitors which will produce successful citizens for tomorrow.
References
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2010 [Webcast]. Bridging Learning Theory, Instruction, and Technology. Baltimore , MD
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria , VA
I was having trouble connecting Constructionism and Constructivism. Constructivism seemed like a theory on who people were and Consrtuctionism seemed like a method of teaching. I like how you wrote them together and said that they work hand in hand as students create their own understanding and meaning. It makes a lot more sense to me now. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteYou are right on, when you said that anytime we can incorporate technology in our classroom, it will be an advantage for them. Technology is a huge part of our lives now, and the future will be even more. Good post!!
ReplyDeleteToby,
ReplyDeleteI had a difficult time as well trying to decipher the difference between the two. However, after much reflection I decided you couldn't separate the two. They went hand in hand. You have to take what you know and be able to apply it in order to process the true meaning.
Thank you for your post!
Dawn,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your statement about technology. Students have access to so much in their everyday lives and it should be a requirement to incorporate it into the classroom curriculum. Technology is going to continue to grow and if we want students to be prepared for the future, then we must ensure they are ready by integrating technology into the classroom.
Thank you for your post!
I especially like your last paragraph when you refer to how we want our students to be "self-directors, self-managers, and self-monitors." It is our job to help prepare them for the future and one way we can do it is through constructivism/constructionism. My students enjoy edheads too!
ReplyDeleteJill,
ReplyDeleteIf we do not prepare our students for the future, then we are creating a society that will not be productive. Our students are our future and we will depend on these faces we see every day. With that being said, it is critical that our students are prepared with the life skills of being good decision makers and problem solvers. Students need to be owners of their learning in order for it to be meaningful and engaging so they may retain and apply it in life.
Thank you for your post!
Kim,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that it is very important for students to develop their own meaning of the content so that it will better their understanding. I see that the students that are entering the classrooms know information but are not able to process the information and put the information into practice. I tell my students that they have mastered a skill when they are able to explain and complete the actual skill with no problem. This gives room for students to create their own meaning and way of understanding in order to help them complete the skill on their own without assistance. Adding technology into learning processes only expands their understanding which makes learning fun and engaging.
Ms. Tate,
ReplyDeleteWhen students can take a concept and be able to explain it in their own terms correctly, then I feel they have an understanding. Being able to take their understanding and apply it in a situation is as you stated, "mastery the skill." Just about anybody can memorize information, but truly understanding comes from being able to utilize the information in a situation.
Thank you for your post!
I also agree with Jill in applauding your comment on developing our students into self-directed learners. When they are involved in activities such as yours, they not only are exposed to the opportunity to direct their own learning, they feel empowered. Sometimes the emotional spark generated when a student realizes he has mastered the skill or understands the concept is as important as athe learning itself. This emotional spark is what it takes to become the self-movitated learner.
ReplyDeleteTheresa,
ReplyDeleteThank you! It has been a change from how I began teaching almost 16 years ago, but I have found myself enjoying the profession of teaching more today than I did in the beginning. When students become motivated it sparks the same within ourselves.