Constructivist Consturctionist Learning Theories

With a first glance, constructivist and constructionist almost look like the same word and can be confusing. After going through the resources this week, I got a clearer understanding of the difference and also learned how different instructional strategies can correlate with these theories. In the DVD presentation, "Constructionist and Constructivist Learning Theories," by Dr. Orey, he defines constructivism as "a theory of knowledge stating that each individual actively constructs his or her own meaning." Next, he defines constructionism as "a theory that states people learn best when they build an external artifact or something they can share with others" (Laureate, 2008). Constructionism builds upon constructivist ideals and focuses on the building of an external artifact. This artifact should be something that an individual can reflect upon and share.

A topic in the book, Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, is "Generating and Testing Hypothesis." When students formulate hypothesis and follow through with the steps to testing that hypothesis, it can definitely relate to constructionist theories. One important point made by Pitler is that generating and testing hypothesis can be applied to all content areas (Pitler, 2007). Most of the time when people hear the word hypothesis, they think of Science. I know that is the first thing that pops into my head. One of the recommendations to teachers is to provide a way to guide students through generating and testing hypothesis. This relates to the constructionist theory because it requires the teacher to take on more of a facilitator role. Students are more in control of their learning and the direction of it. This chapter also discussed several different ways that technology could be used to enhance the process of following a hypothesis. Pitler explains that technology allows students to spend more time interpreting data rather than gathering the data (Pitler, 2007). This is an important advancement. Years ago, students would have to "write out" everything. I think that this feature of technology also relates to constructionist ideas because it allows students to create a more unique meaning to themselves. They focus more on what the data means to them and what connections they can make with it rather than "Did I add or subtract something wrong?" I still think it is important for students to be aware of how to do things the long way just to know how they arrive at an answer or how the computer gets there.


There are many instructional strategies that correlate with constructionist principles. I think it's important to remember that there are an infinite number of ways that students can create an artifact, especially with using technology. For example, when you have students make a PowerPoint, they are creating something that they can reflect on and share with others. I particularly liked an example from the DVD presentation I mentioned earlier. A teacher, Lynda Donovan, shared a lesson where she had her students first choose a novel. The students would then take notes on the novel to depict a certain scene they liked. Next they would choose about 20 of those phrases to use to create an artifact on Microsoft Publisher. On Microsoft Publisher, students created a four page booklet. For the first page, they chose an image from Google as their cover. The second page was an opinion poem on what they liked and recommendations. the third page they included their found poem from their novel and were asked to put the poem in a shape that related to the story. Page four was an explanation. I found this lesson to be a great example of letting students be creative and make something that is meaningful to them. this project offered students several choices. Part of the constructionist theory is giving students choices and putting them more in control of what direction they are going to take. Here, we saw that the teacher set up the basic structure, but then students took off with their own original ideas.

Resources:
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2008). Constructivist and constructionistlLearning theories. [Motion picture]. Bridging learning theory, instruction, and technology. [DVD]

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.