In the book, Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, chapter eleven focuses on generating and testing hypotheses. Many of the examples used in this chapter support the constructionism theory. First off, generating hypotheses allow the students to use the information they all ready know to be true. Whether they are solving a problem, investigating or analyzing, they will need to make assimilations or accommodations for the information they discover. Students can use spreadsheet software, data collection tools and web resources to interpret data. Using these technology-based tools allow the students to spend more time interpreting data as opposed to gathering it (2007). Having the students generate hypotheses, collect and analyze data, then edit their original predictions allows the student to experience what constructionism theory describes as disequilibration. In the end, the goal is bring the brain back to equilibration by successfully having the students make sense of their external reality and their schema (2010).
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2010). Program nine. Connectivism as a learning theory [Webcast]. Bridging learning theory, instruction and technology. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
You are right, our ideas and connections are very similar but to me it was just what jumped out to me. : ) I felt that the main thing that Dr. Orey was speaking about was the project based learning and how important it is. That has been a big push in my county over the last several years. I think it is one of those things that comes back around every so often. That's how it seems in my county anyway- something works so we change it and then come back to it years later like it is something new and get really excited when it works (again!) Anyway, that's another topic!
ReplyDeleteIsn't sad that we have to reteach teachers how to teach? Students need to be taught how to organize, plan and implement their learning. In my opinion, the educational system has gone the direction of teaching to the test and pumping out the numbers that actually creating project-based learning environments are few and far between.
ReplyDelete"If you teach a child how to think..." kind of follows the same path of the analogy of "If you teach a man to fish...." We need to teach our students how to organize, develop hypothesis', and investigate their own learning environments to make their learning successful.