Constructionism In The Classroom

If there is ever a skill that our students need in today’s society, it is the skill of problem solving.  Constructionism is the tool for achieving this notion.  I remember reading that you learn 90 % of what you teach; I would like to argue that learning by construction may add at least an additional 5 percent.

There are many ways to achieve constructionism in the classroom through technology.  The object of the theory is to have the students to build an artifact from scratch concerning the content or skill set that needs to be learned.  PowerPoint is an extremely popular tool for teaching in the constructionist theory.  Students can use it to build a visual model to present their findings.  Along with this software many of the other Microsoft products can aid in constructionism.  Excel which is spreadsheet software can be used to calculate facts and figures and can also display findings in the form of graphs and charts.  Publisher can be used to generate and create booklets, forms, flyers and other visual propaganda.

All of these technologies are extremely appropriate when you think of applying constructionism in the classroom through technology.  Giving the students an opportunity not only to assess knowledge but to apply it aids in the reinforcement of current and past knowledge.  If experience is the “best” teacher, then using constructionism in the classroom is a method that exceptional educators must use.

Cognitivist Approaches

Cognitive learning theories are extremely important in the classroom today.  Having the knowledge of how information is processed places a teacher several steps ahead in the battle to educate students.  With an understanding of how memory works, educators can modify and create lessons that ensure that student learning reaches its maximum level.

There are several methods for achieving learning in the classroom through cognitive methods using technology.  Since imagery is a very important element to cognitive learning, PowerPoint is a great tool for achieving a good learning experience.  Students then have an image to relate information to.  Excel is software that is good for cognitive learning.  Students are able to process data quickly as well as display what they process in the form for pie charts and ling graphs.  The most effective tool for cognitive learning theories is the notion of concept mapping, through software teachers and or students can present thoughts and correlations in a visual format which allows not only you but others to share in seeing the way things fit together.  Software such as Word and Publisher can also be used to do concept mapping.

Cognitive learning theories are extremely important in the classroom.  They may be even more important today than ever.  The good thing about this theory is that there are many technologies that also exist today to aid us in extracting all of the usefulness of this theory as we can.

Behaviorism’s Place in the Classroom

Behaviorism is not a dead learning theory; it has been proven to work in many classroom and life situations therefore it definitely has a place in the classroom.  The thing we need to pay more attention to is how this theory is applied in today’s classroom, as well as the other theories.  The most successful situation any teacher can be in is one where the right learning theories are used in their most appropriate situation.  Therefore it is whether you use the right mixture not just the right theory.  I am very much on a quest to achieve this mastery.

The online tutorial has been cited as one of the most widely used means of behaviorism technology in the classroom (Laureate, 2008).  I do believe that this technology can be used in a more effective manner that it is in the classroom.  I do not believe it is a justifiable means to snatch electives away from students who have to be remediated.  Elective courses teach valuable life skills which are applications of the coursework a student has learned over the years.  There is also a valuable skill that can be learned which helps a student find their ability thereby reinforcing the need to receive more instruction in the core subjects to perfect their crafts.  I am heartbroken when I see so many students in reading lab working on Accelerated Reader and Plato.  I believe our school district could adjust the schedule to provide all students with a modified homeroom period in which all students are required to receive computerized tutorials.  This not only allows a period for students to be remediated, but a program could also be offered to enrich or reinforce.  The technology utilization alone helps our student acclimate to how things are being done in and more advanced society.

Behaviorism definitely still has a place in classroom management.  These are definitely proven methods for modifying behavior, so why not put them in to practice.  Most of the behavior problems in the classroom exist because some teacher whether before, during, or after they have come through you did not implement a consequence for unacceptable behavior.  An even sadder notion is the lack of support you receive from the Administration sometimes when you have made an effort to modify a student’s behavior.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2010). Bridging Learning Theory, Instruction, and Technology [DVD]. Behaviorist Learning Theory. Baltimore, MD: Orey, Michael.