Why is it when men work, they need to put up a sign that says "Caution: Men at Work"? You don't see women doing that! I know, it's an old joke, but our real goal here is to get our students to do the work. Yes, we'll probably get plenty of moans and groans, but after a bit of experience with project based, inquiry, problem solving, investigating, and hypothesizing, students will appreciate the hands-on nature of constructionist learning methods.
While I don't necessarily believe that generating and testing hypothesis is the most effective constructionist learning activity for my content area of social studies, I do aspire for my students to be "engaging in complex mental processes, applying content knowledge like facts and vocabulary, and enhancing their overall understanding of the content." (Pitler, et al., 2007). However, I do see technology as a critical part in achieving this goal.
So much has changed even since I was an undergraduate student five years ago in terms of completion and presentation of projects. Using spreadsheets and data collection software are helpful to students like me who don't feel the desire to tediously solve every problem. I always tell my students 'Work smarter, not harder!'. This is important because technology makes essential tasks more manageable. In the past, some students simply would not complete a project because of the sheet amount of work that can go into problem solving that can be completed by programs such as these. Now that this is eliminated, students will be able to better see the 'big picture' or major concept rather than get bogged down by details. Similarly, some of the projects that even middle school students create today are amazing! My colleague and I have had some mind blowing documentaries that have been produced for our National History Day historical investigation. It seems like making a poster is absurd when technologies like Movie Maker and IMovie are available today.
This week's chapter did feature my favorite technology, web resources. Here is where the possibilities are endless for social studies! Especially in the case of simulation software, which "can provide incredibly engaging learning environments, resulting in increased motivation and retention in learning" (Pitler, et al., 2007). I have created several simulations in class such as immersion in Chinese philosophy activities and Life on the Feudal Manor, but they don't hold a candle to the websites such as the example given in our text, Practicing with the Catapult. Students love these types of programs and having access to a SMARTBoard makes it possible for the whole class to participate. Over the summer I plan to collect as many sites with simulations that fit my curriculum as possible in order to ensure that it is the students who are at work, learning and creating their own understanding, and artifacts throughout ancient history.
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
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I agree with you that students need to work smarter, not harder. Today's students are already so tech-savy that they know what phones are smart, what mp3 players are smart, and what computers are they easist to work with. They do fantastic research and will gladly voice their opinions on the best technology. Since they already have the mind-set of working "less hard," teacher need to supply the opportunities to let students work "smart." I can think of a teacher in my school who requires every student to produce a poster as the final project for each unit. It the same thing for each student, each grade, each social studies class. The hallway is plastered with poorly designed and inadequate posters that provide little information and nobody wants to look at. After a few weeks, the posters are thrown away and studnets begin work on the next poster. Sure the students are constructng a project, but is the project helping to solidify the information? These kids should be given the opportunity to design their own presentations that reflect their learning.
ReplyDeleteHi April,
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of what makes a good constructionism classroom is having a teacher willing to let students be creative. Your students are surrounded by opportunities to be creative in sharing their knowledge. When given the chance, students will step up and produce a quality project like the documentaries you mentioned. Then again, like Todd mentioned, when they are not given the chance, there is little quality.
I too use work smarter, not harder all the time. But I think in the constructionist classroom, students work smarter and creatively too.
Don't knock the posters! Work smarter not harder. (However, a poster for every project is redundant.) A poster can be an effective project if the content is propaganda or advertizing. There is only one poster project I do per year and the students love it. It comes from Barry Lane's Wacky We-search book. It is called "Stray Thoughts." Students use the Internet to research public nnd private facts about a historical figure. The advance organizer is a t-chart because it fits the public/private goal so well. Once they have collected these facts, they have to turn them into first person "I" statements and put them into speech callouts or thought bubbles. These are placed on the poster surrounding a picture of the person they researched. The students absolutely love this. They ask their history teachers if they can hang them in the classroom. Or, they ask right away if they can take them home. That's pretty amazing for 7th and 8th graders to WANT to display or take home their completed project. My goal, as a writing teacher, is the research skills. The end product is fun for the kids.
ReplyDeleteHi Everyone,
ReplyDeleteI think you all have a valid point about giving students the chance to use technology. Like Todd mentioned, some teachers get into a rut with certain projects and instead of fostering creativity, it hinders the students. Also Virginia, I think that posters when used properly can be an effective product of constructionist education as well. Your description sounds like a great idea!