Constructivist and Constructionist Learning Theories

In this week's video Dr. Orey stated that constructivism is when students "construct" their own meaning of something, while constructionism is when they build on something that they have already learned about (Orey 2007). I view constructivism as a theory in which students have the opportunity to get their hands into and actually build a knowledge base by being involved. Educators are fortunate in that there are several technological resources that make this learning construction possible. The first example given in the text "Using Technology With Classroom Instruction That Works" is spread sheets. When most of us this of spread sheet we think of a program called Microsoft Excel, but there are several different programs that have grown in popularity (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, Malenoski, p.204, 2007). When I think of spread sheets I have some anxiety. This tool can be very overwhelming at first, but with just a little training it may be used for seemingly endless possibilities. It can get you from point A to point B with out having to do all of the dirty work in the middle. I actually used a spread sheet in a class to track work out habits and caloric intake. It actually helped me to build a plan and a certain knowledge about energy intake vs. energy out put. What was most impressive to me was that I could create any type of graph that I wanted, so that I had that visual reassurance that my work actually had some positive results.

I believe that if students are actively involved and almost teaching themselves Then there is a high change for retention. Most students will remember their science projects from elementary school for their life time. The reason that they do is simple, because they had to develop a hypothesis and test it. The out come was not always what was expected, but the experience of actively learning about a specific subject was defiantly memorable.

Resources
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenowski, K. (2007). Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2007). "Constructionism and Constructivism". Presenter: Dr. Orey

Cognitive Learning Theory

Whenever I think about cognitism I think about brain activity and the brain's ability to retain and retrieve information. This week in my masters program I am learning to incorporate new learning tools in what I teach. I am currently working on a conceptual map(http://www.bubbl.us/) that will correlate with a virtual field trip. These tools are great for creating an interactive approach to new subjects that I may have expected students to read about instead. A concept map is sort of like a brain storm that starts with a central node or idea that is built upon based on what we want our students to learn. By using a concept map students may develop words or cues that will hopefully trigger memory receptors in their brain in order to relate to a central idea. The virtual field trip seems to me to be the icing on the cake. A visual and interactive activity to reinforce what ideas were developed within the conceptual map.
I love the cognitive learning theory because I can relate my field of education (p.e.) into the process. Based on several studies done on blood flow to the brain after physical activity, students reading scores are higher if they are physically active for 20 min. each day due to their ability to retain information. The University of Michigan has a good website with information relating physical activity to brain activity at
http://sitemaker.umich.edu/356.speregen/physical_education_and_school_performance .

Behaviorst Learning Theory

I have to say that in the environment that I teach, there is not much room for the behaviorist learning theory. In the aquatic environment, tutorials described by Dr. Orey do not have any real place. I do not use computers as a part of everyday lessons. Once in a while they are used to download information from heart rate monitors, but never really to teach new material. I do however use this theory as a disciplinary tool. Using praise to encourage student’s behavior and skill progression has proven to be very effective. The only problem that I have with this strategy is that I don’t know if students are simply hungry for praise or if they are actually being trained to do the right thing. I have to say that having read chapter 10 of the text “Using Technology With Classroom Instruction That Works” and reading the online article “Behaviorism Tutorial” from Athabasca University, I have learned of another way that I continuously utilize the behaviorist theory of learning. That area is practice. Within the subject of physical education, students are expected to perform certain skills at various times throughout their career as students. To narrow the subject down even more, when students are asked to perform certain swimming skills within a set amount of time, much of the unit is dedicated to practice and repetition. When I talk about using this method I feel like it sounds lazy or monotonous, but it actually works, and with a little bit of creativity students can practice skills without actually knowing it. I guess that my point is that no matter how badly educators want to push this theory to the side, I think that it would be difficult to find a teacher who does not use the behaviorist learning theory in one way or another.

Back to Blogging

I want to apologize for my lack of posts for the last couple of months. However, I have just begun a new course on my path to a master's degree. I will be required to post every so often so there will be something new for anyone interested in checking. I look forward to all of the discussions that will take place over the next few weeks!