The resources explored this week incorperate the creativity and interaction of students with the curiculumn. To be an effective teacher we know that students must be not involved in the learning process but partially in control of the outcomes. All of the learning strategies have students creating artifacts that go with the subject matter being taught. The main idea of constructivism is having students develop artifacts that are relavent to the subject material that includes the main idea needing to be covered. By no means is this something that the student must stick to a certain format. It is ussually an oppertunity for the students to explore a subject on their own without restriction. With the use of technology there are many resources that the students are able to use to create artifacts and find the information to use in the creation of the artifacts. Where it use to take students weeks of research to find the material with the use of the internet they are able to find true artifacts, articles and even virtual field trips to gain the knowledge needed. This material is then used to share with classmates so that they are able to have the same experience.
With the students being own their own and pulling from prior knowledge and new knowledge we run into the idea of constructionvism where each student has their own idea of the subject matter from previous experiences. This is a good thing in the classroom becuase there is room for debate on the different ideas. In most cases neither student is wrong but just with a different view. With each view experienced the greater the edcuational experience. This can be used to the teachers advantage when the students make an artifact for the content being covered in class. With each person doing individual work or working in different groups different information and views are being brought into the lesson for a great and more in depth understanding.
Jonas,
ReplyDeleteStudents who are able to take control and build or create an artifact/product on their own or within a group, are more likely to learn more than just being lectured to by the teacher. Though not all students like this type of learning and would prefer to be "spoon fed" everything, the outcomes I have seen from my students creating and building on their own, far exceeds any other type of teaching.
In my classroom, we usually learn and research together, but break up into smaller groups to create a final project that answers our guided question. I have found that though each group has the same research/information, they all create a product that is very much different, allowing the entire class to take something new away from each group. I believe that by letting the students teach one another, the learning of all students is enhanced.
Liz,
ReplyDeleteI agree all students like different learning approaches. I use a wide range from students working together, independently and making projects that summarize lesson where the students learn as a whole class. My goal in my room is to teach in a different manner everyday during the week. I agree that learning is greatly enhanced by allowing them to learn from one another.
Jonas,
ReplyDeleteWhen students are on their own they think independently and as you said that they are not wrong and there is a room for debate .sometimes they may go out of the track and teachers act as a guide. This is more beneficial for students who prefer hand on activities and also for getting good grades for the ones who score less in test.
Jonas,
ReplyDeleteThe personal differences that can be built up and highlighted in the constructing of artifacts is a wonderful advantage to this type of learning. I see more and more students afraid to do something differently and feeling like they need to conform to the correct multiple choice answer. By constructing artifacts, it allows them to highlight their skills and interests, but also to see that another student has also made a quality product—even if done differently. This seems to be one of the key components of critical thinking that students struggle with—so highlighting the multiple means to an end is a highly valuable lesson in itself.
Paula
Jonas,
ReplyDeleteI like that you are self motivated to take a different approach every single day. It shows that you are not willing to settle. All of your ideas are great and the use of the technology really creates that bond to make it even stronger.
Everyone,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to see that we all agree that variety is the key to success in the classroom. I think that we need to let our students know that it is ok to be different than others in the room and it is even alright to be wrong! I think that students conform sometimes becuase they fear of being wrong during class. We are the ones that guide them but we should not lead.
Jonas