Constructivist Learning Theory
Constructivist Learning Theory Blog
Cordell Wallace
Master of Science in Education, Walden University
EDUC-6771: Bridging Learning Theory, Instruction, and Technology
Professor Kathryn Arnold
April 28st , 2021
“A constructivist classroom fosters critical thinking, flexibility, creativity, active learning, and more. All of which are standards of what a 21st century classroom should reflect. It is not just about technology; to sustain a 21st century classroom educators need to move from a transmittal instructional practice to a constructivist and transactional model. I believe in order for students to be successful in and out of the classroom today we need to create learning environments that give students the permission to construct knowledge, not receive it.” ( Machado , J 2011). The relationship between constructionist learning theories, instructional strategies, and technology tools is that educational environments created from learning theories such as constructivist relies on creating knowledge not just receiving it from an instructor. The instructional and technology tools only assist in the fostering of the learning of the student. Though educators are still facilitators, they still lead the conversations to stimulates interest and conversation on various topics. The GH focuses on using those tools and strategies for students to demonstrate their new found knowledge and to create a product ( artifact ) of their research. This process is similar to Project Based learning where students pick a topic and create an artifact. “Constructionism can be implemented in two forms-- Learning by Design (LBD) and Project-Based Learning(PBL). Because constructionist theories and strategies guide LBD and PBL, they have many features in common; however, they also differ in the kind of tasks that are expected of participants. Both LBD and PBL share a student-centered environment, as stipulated in constructionism. Learners in both environments are expected to take more responsibility for their learning; in both environments, learners have choices and are provided with opportunities to participate in real-world tasks that are meaningful for them.” (Orey, M. (Ed.). 2010 pg 131).
Upon learning new tools within this course , students can also use or create virtual tours to express their ideas. They can make artifacts using digital tools such as google slides, Powerpoint, VoiceThread, and Wiki sites to name a few. The key element in the GH, project based learning, and LBD, is research. Students do not necessarily have to work with other students but can work independently as well. Constructivism relies on being the founder of knowledge based on the individual. Students will research and collect data in order to make interpretations of the meaning of the data. These items are referenced often in the ISTE standards for both educators and students. For students :”Students collect data or identify relevant data sets, use digital tools to analyze them, and represent data in various ways to facilitate problem-solving and decision-making” ( ISTE 2016). Educators , however , facilitate more than instruction in the GH, PBL, and LBD models. Educators will assist to “shape, advance and accelerate a shared vision for empowered learning with technology by engaging with education stakeholders.” ( ISTE, 2018). The scholarly article that I used addressed what is important in regards to 21st century readiness skills. These “skills required by the learners in order to cope up with the realities and conditions of the 21stcentury that are different from the previous century in terms of its focus on technology, digital work and more generally on the meaning and application of knowledge. That is, 21stcentury skills encompass such basic skills as critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, communication, collaboration, innovation, teamwork, decision making, leadership, knowledge application, self-direction and learning how to learn” Anagun , S. Senguil , 2018). These 21st century skills are embedded withing the framework of the GH were students are self directed and are learning “ how to learn through research. I intend on using more opportunities as they are presented to embed it within my classroom practice.
The applications for the sources researched from the Module on Constructivism Learning Theories and how it applies to the Genius Hour( GH) is that students must take the prior knowledge that they had going into the project and must create something new that they never knew at the beginning. This within itself is a challenge for many students as students are accustomed to do what the teacher instructs for them to replicate. GH is not teacher led but teacher facilitated and student lead. As part of the ISTE standards for students . The GH utilizes the 21st century skills by giving students the opportunity to become Knowledge Constructors where they are able to “ critically curate a variety of resources using digital tools to construct knowledge, produce creative artifacts and make meaningful learning experiences for themselves and others” ( ISTE, 2016). Within that competency they also are exploring real world issues, and pursuing answers to their questions (ISTE , 2016)
References
Anagun , S. Senguil ( 2018); Teachers’ Perceptions about the Relationship between 21st Century Skills and Managing Constructivist Learning Environments retrieved from http://www.e-iji.net/dosyalar/iji_2018_4_52.pdf
Csizmadia, A., Standl, B., & Waite, J. (2019). Integrating the Constructionist Learning Theory with Computational Thinking Classroom Activities. Informatics in Education, 18(1), 41–67.
International Society for Technology in Education. (2016). ISTE standards for students. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/standards/iste-standards/standards-forstudents
International Society for Technology in Education. (2008). ISTE standards for teachers. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/standards/iste-standards/standards-forteachers
Laureate Education (Producer). (2016e). Integrating technology tools for instruction and learning [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Machado , J 2011, A constuctivist classroom is a 21st – century classroom retrieved from https://web.tech4learning.com/a-constructivist-classroom-is-a-21st-century-classroom
Orey, M. (Ed.). (2010). Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved from http://textbookequity.org/Textbooks/Orey_Emergin_Perspectives_Learning.pdf
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E. R., & Kuhn, M. (2012). Using technology with classroom instruction that works (2nd ed.). Alexandria, VA: ASCD
Appendix A
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