In the school system today, much is emphasized on student learning and how to get them to learn. I believe the best way is to allow students to experiment and spend much more time than they are already on computers and doing projects that include technology. The more time they spend doing these, the more comfortable they will feel using the technology. Generating and testing hypotheses are great for students. I can remember doing projects like this that really make a person think until it hurts. It broadens the horizon and opens many doors up.
When a student gets into high school, math and science classes become much more involved with theories and ideas that many don't fully comprehend. By assigning projects on the computer, a student can learn how to use that software and become confident when they use it in the future. Since constructionists want to have "hands on" and artifacts from the students, the students need to have more seat time to get to know what to do. With the use of spreadsheets and options in them such as charts and graphs, students can investigate data and compare it side by side. "Spreadsheet activities allow students to gain a deeper understanding of investment basics and requires them to use their critical thinking skills to predict outcomes." (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn & Malenoski, 2007) They can see how it is similar and how it is different and make a hypothesis from this information.
The best way to learn how to do a tedious task is by doing. Doing homework will better your chances of passing the course and understanding the concepts. The same follows for using new programs and ideas. They need to be understood and then practiced in order to understand how to use it without thinking much. Problem solving allows for a mind to become open to new ideas that were never thought of before. That is why group work is important for many students. Ideas are talked about and from this new ones can be thought of. When something is made, such as an artifact, it goes into the mind and will help remember in the long run.
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
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Phil
ReplyDeleteI agree that group work can open our students' minds to different perspectives. Cultural diversity, differing priorities, and varied backgrounds all can lead to a very productive brainstorming session. Our students will be exposed to people who have opposing views throughout their lives, and solving problems together in group projects is a great way to help prepare them by developing strong interpersonal skills.
Wanda
I agree that all students will have different thoughts than others in their groups. However, as you said they need to listen and prepare to fight for what they believe in. The interpersonal skills will be used here and will be used for the future. Disagreement will always happen and they will learn when to give in and when not to.
ReplyDeletePhil,
ReplyDeleteI too believe students should have more access to computers during the school day. I feel this would engage the students tremendously in learning and I also think it would be a great help with behavior problems in the classroom as well. Students would be so focused on building their own ideas they wouldn't have time nor, hopefully, want to full around. I currently teach 10th grade math and couldn't agree with you more that we are teaching harder concepts that students just don't comprehend. They moreless memorize how to "do" the problem rather than really take time to understand it. With the help of technology I think we could change that!
Emily