Seymour Papert says that the constructivist learning theory is the idea that learners must individually discover and transform information if they are to make it their own. The constructionist learning theory says that people learn better when they are constructing things related to the information like robots or artifacts. I agree with this theory totally. Our school system does an 8th grade project called History Rocks. The academic teams all pull together their lessons for 3 weeks and the students have to create a project and presentation with visuals to set up for the entire school to view. It is an amazing undertaking and the students do a great job at it. They become lifelong learners thorugh doing this as they become more interested in the product or the sports team or whatever else they have researched the history of.
The learning resources this week relate to the same ideas. When students are able to take information and generate ideas, they learn how to think more critically. I do a project in 7th grade health called "LIFE." The students choose a job, choose a life situation (single, married, no children, children, pets), research how much money they would bring in per week for their job, and learn to pay bills through a check book. The only thing they have to do is never become negative. They are given hidden suprises as the unit continues, with bonuses or job loss or ER visit and they have to factor in all of that information as well. The students love this project and I love running it because it gives them a strong understanding of how to develop a lifelong plan.
Trisha Smart
References:
http://online.sfsu.edu/~foremanitec800/finalprojects/annmariethurmond/home.html
Pitler, H., Hubbel, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007) Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD
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ReplyDeleteHi Trisha,
ReplyDeleteYour project "LIFE" sounds very interesting and your students are bound to love those lessons and certainly learn a lot there. This project reminds me of my youngest daughters game SIMS that also has a economy expansion, one day when I called her for supper she told me just to wait a moment because she was busy becoming a millionaire. She had discovered a fault in the program and was busy making money. Knowing her I am sure that a lesson like yours would really interest her and she would certainly learn a lot.
Maria