Karalyn Knibbe
Blog #4

Constructivism is a theory of learning. There are many different theories or styles of learning and especially today, Constructivism is very popular. This style of learning uses the student’s own experiences to gain understanding of concepts. Constructivism says that people construct their own understanding and knowledge of the world through experiencing things and reflecting on those experiences (Concept 1). It is a hands-on style of learning where the student explores and learns on his or her own. The information is not given to them by another who already knows the information. In Constructivism the student uses what he or she already knows and then applies it to different situations they come into contact with.

Some characteristics are that the learner constructs their own understanding, new learning depends on current understanding, learning is facilitated by social interaction, and meaningful learning occurs within authentic learning tasks (Constructivism the theory 1). Especially for the visual, hands-on learners, this style of learning is very beneficial to them. They seem to thrive and absorb so much more knowledge when they engage in the learning style of Constructivism. In instructing, the teacher focuses on making connections between facts and gaining new ides and understanding in the students. Instructors tailor their teaching strategies to student responses and encourage students to analyze, interpret, and predict information (Constructivism 1). Teachers also rely heavily on open-ended questions and promote debate and dialogue between the students. Getting the students involved and comparing what each of them thinks on issues is vitally important as they see other ways to view different aspects of concepts being learned. Constructivists view learning as the result of mental construction (What 1). Students learn by fitting new information together with what they already know. People learn best when they actively construct their own understanding.

In my classroom I will definitely use constructivism as much as possible. Especially at the younger grades, students thrive hands-on projects and visual learning techniques. There has been many studies to prove this. I plan to teach 4th graders, and after observing one classroom of fourth graders for almost two months I realized that this is so true. They loved power point presentations and videos. Going to the computer room was the highlight of their day. When they got to go outside in the field for science class a few times, they were overjoyed and soaked up the lesson on wildflowers. They observed the different types and then wrote a few facts about them. When they returned to the classroom they then identified them. Also collecting insects was very interesting as they worked in teams and caught and identified them. Here we see from these experiences how the students get very involved in the learning process and are excited about it and learn so much more. I think you really need to gain the students interest and they need to like what they are doing at least a little bit or you will lose their attention within minutes.

There are controversies to this theory as they say it takes up to much time and money. Is all the extra work and resources worth it? Does it really pay off? Yes, you do need to weigh the pros and cons, but there are not many cons. The little issue about money and the possibility that some students do not learn better this way is very minor when you look at the entire picture. There will never be one learning style that fulfills all students’ learning styles. There will always be diversity in the classroom.

Constructivism is closely related to technology integration because much hands-on work is done on the computer. This is especially seen when other means are not available, such as a field to go out in and catch insects. Also, as we see our society becoming more dependent on computers, the knowledge of computers is vitally important. Many great things can be done on modern technology today and many times the costs are within the limits of the schools budget too. There are no limits for the things and activities you can find on the computer. Students excel on activates and learning process which include computers and modern technology. Also learning by computer is a very good way to implement one-on-one learning. The computer assesses the student and progressively gets more challenging according to the student’s standards. This is constructivism at work as the student uses previous knowledge to complete new tasks and as they learn more the computer gives them more challenging tasks to fulfill.

I definitely will use the style of Constructivism in my classroom and I think all teachers should learn more about it and keep an open mind and try different concepts in the constructivist learning style. There are many students out there to day that struggle with the learning styles used and may excel with the constructivists view, “Be a part of your learning”.

Biography

“Concept to Classroom”. Constructivism as a Paradigm for Teaching and Learning. http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/constructivism/index.html

“Constructivism”. Funderstanding. http://www.funderstanding.com/constructivism.cfm

“Constructivism, the Theory and the Controversy”. Digital Literacy. http://digitalliteracy.mwg.org/constructivisim.html

“What is Constructivism?” Learning styles and CAE. http://hagar.up.ac.za/catts/learner/lindavr/lindapg1.htm

This is the first online class I have ever taken and I really enjoy it. I will not hesitate to take another if I have the opportunity. I love the flexibility of it and I would much rather type in discussion board than talk in class. I also like the variety in the labs and discussion board and the blogs.
Compared to life sessions the online class has not too much homework but more busy work which I like. I do also like the projects as you dont have as many of those in a classroom. Only two tests is perfectly fine with me! I also like it that the projects are done individually. I do not like group projects due to bad groups in the past. It seems like I always get stuck with the terrible people who dont want to do anything.
There is not much to change accept I think some times things are confusing, but then we can email you anytime about it and you answer very quickly. Sometimes the discussions are a bit “discussed out” but that is usually at the end of the week when we should have our discussion about done anyways.
I noticed there is a on line class for a history course I have to take but I wonder how that would work. It sounds like that would be only tests and then I would do reading on my own. Hmmm, I’ll have to think about that one.
Overall, my cousin was the one who told me to take this class online, and I am very glad I listened to him. I would tell others the same if they asked me how they should take it. On line is the way to go!
Karalyn Knibbe

There are many different applications and they all have their positive and negative sides. I think word processor is the number one though as it is so usefull and necessary in education today. This should be taught very soon to students as they will need the knowledge for sure by 4th grade when they start doing lengthy reports. I would say by 2nd grade they should be introduced to it and by 3rd grade have a good understanding of how to use it.

Second I would say search engines like Google via the internet would be very important in the learning process as they research and learn more. Databases also fall under this category. I think this is a knowledge that should be learned around 3rd grade as they will need it for sure in 5th grade when they are doing research reports.

Thirdly I would say powerpoint is important and used often today in the daily learning of students. I think it is an organized way to relay information to students. It is different from the normal lecture and often catches the students attention easier. I would say this could be used in 4th grade on up as they have to be able to read and comprehend the facts on their own. IT will not be benificial to younger ones as they learn the best when it comes from the teachers mouth.

Fourth I would say is the use of Multimedia as there are some really cool videos and pictures out there that will add greatly to the subject being taught. One down side of this is that often it is over the level of understanding of your students and then it is not useful. Also, it is not a reliable source as often you will not find multimedia help on some topics. I would use this already in 1st and 2nd grade if it is relavent and beneficial to the topic and within the students understanding.

Fifth, I would chose spreadsheet as it is very helpful and a necessary skill on some careers, but not as common. Spreadsheets can get very confusing and complex especially when you work with equations and things like that. I would not start teaching this until around 9th grade when they will have more knowledge of where and when it is used. They will also understand the different functions within it better and will be able to better comprehend the function and use of it.

karalynknibbe

There are many different applications and they all have their positive and negative sides. I think word processor is the number one though as it is so usefull and necessary in education today. This should be taught very soon to students as they will need the knowledge for sure by 4th grade when they start doing lengthy reports. I would say by 2nd grade they should be introduced to it and by 3rd grade have a good understanding of how to use it.

Second I would say search engines like Google via the internet would be very important in the learning process as they research and learn more. Databases also fall under this category. I think this is a knowledge that should be learned around 3rd grade as they will need it for sure in 5th grade when they are doing research reports.

Thirdly I would say powerpoint is important and used often today in the daily learning of students. I think it is an organized way to relay information to students. It is different from the normal lecture and often catches the students attention easier. I would say this could be used in 4th grade on up as they have to be able to read and comprehend the facts on their own. IT will not be benificial to younger ones as they learn the best when it comes from the teachers mouth.

Fourth I would say is the use of Multimedia as there are some really cool videos and pictures out there that will add greatly to the subject being taught. One down side of this is that often it is over the level of understanding of your students and then it is not useful. Also, it is not a reliable source as often you will not find multimedia help on some topics. I would use this already in 1st and 2nd grade if it is relavent and beneficial to the topic and within the students understanding.

Fifth, I would chose spreadsheet as it is very helpful and a necessary skill on some careers, but not as common. Spreadsheets can get very confusing and complex especially when you work with equations and things like that. I would not start teaching this until around 9th grade when they will have more knowledge of where and when it is used. They will also understand the different functions within it better and will be able to better comprehend the function and use of it.

karalynknibbe

There are many different applications and they all have their positive and negative sides. I think word processor is the number one though as it is so usefull and necessary in education today. This should be taught very soon to students as they will need the knowledge for sure by 4th grade when they start doing lengthy reports. I would say by 2nd grade they should be introduced to it and by 3rd grade have a good understanding of how to use it.

Second I would say search engines like Google via the internet would be very important in the learning process as they research and learn more. Databases also fall under this category. I think this is a knowledge that should be learned around 3rd grade as they will need it for sure in 5th grade when they are doing research reports.

Thirdly I would say powerpoint is important and used often today in the daily learning of students. I think it is an organized way to relay information to students. It is different from the normal lecture and often catches the students attention easier. I would say this could be used in 4th grade on up as they have to be able to read and comprehend the facts on their own. IT will not be benificial to younger ones as they learn the best when it comes from the teachers mouth.

Fourth I would say is the use of Multimedia as there are some really cool videos and pictures out there that will add greatly to the subject being taught. One down side of this is that often it is over the level of understanding of your students and then it is not useful. Also, it is not a reliable source as often you will not find multimedia help on some topics. I would use this already in 1st and 2nd grade if it is relavent and beneficial to the topic and within the students understanding.

Fifth, I would chose spreadsheet as it is very helpful and a necessary skill on some careers, but not as common. Spreadsheets can get very confusing and complex especially when you work with equations and things like that. I would not start teaching this until around 9th grade when they will have more knowledge of where and when it is used. They will also understand the different functions within it better and will be able to better comprehend the function and use of it.

As a teacher, you are the role model for your students, and especially in these serious issues, you need to remain strong and do the right thing.
I feel you should talk to your students and explain to them what happened and ask them for their imput. Especially if they have fears, it is good for them to talk about the event. They then find out that they are not alone. You can ask them why they think it happened, and what we should be doing, and other questions on that order. I would go on line to these different websites to get help on how to introduce the issue in class. But, after that I think it really depends on the response of the students as to how the conversation goes after that.
Through doing this all many can overcome fears or speak out about things that would have sayed inside and weighed heavy on them. You need to remember that the students have different views and backgrounds which will really effect the way they think if catastrophies like these.
I would end on a positive note by asking them how we can help and then choosing something that the class can work on together to help.

Karalyn

I’ve been trying forever to log-in and now I think it finally worked.
Its a trial run.
karalyn