I have always strive to be a constructivist in the classroom. I work to provide a community of learners within my four walls. I have always strive to Facilitate and allow my students to make the learning meaningful to their lives. The reading tonight “Constructivism and Technology” gave me an insightful picture of what my classroom should look like with the use of computer as a tool in my classroom. I especially enjoyed the table comparison of the reading. Its presentation not only gave me a comparison of how the constructivist teacher benefits a classroom environment it also showed the relationship of both and how they work hand in hand.
What really hit home for me as a teacher with the readings on design is this: as a teacher I often forget what it means to be a learner. The process of planning poises it unique set of problems for me. I want to produce fabulous products and to often forget to plan, plan, plan… I just jump into a project and forget that like my students in learning a new concept I need to slow down and take baby steps. I learned this in EDT 545 and the unneeded stress the lack of planning took on my understanding.
In writing for the web as teachers we also must remember our audience. The audience as a whole expects “teachers” to be flawless. That is to say, even though we consider ourselves life long learners and allow for ourselves mistakes as room to grow, our critics do not. Making judgments on our abilities to teach based on the errors we make.
7 comments:
I can really relate to you when you said "What really hit home for me as a teacher I often forget what it means to be a learner". I think that there is so much for us teachers to do in and outside of the classroom that we kind of get used to doing things a certain way. I know I have and it is much more difficult for me to change my style after so long. It's important that we continue to give a students a chance to build their own knowledge though.
Very good points. I am the same way, I don't take the time to plan out what I'm going to do before I jump into the product. I too would like to make my classroom more relevant to the students, so they will be interested in completing the material.
I know what you mean about planning. We also get into ruts. I have found that when you run a constructivist classroom you really have the same planning time after a while. Once students are use to it the class will run its self creating less stress for us to make everything happen.
You can be the constructivist teacher this article describes! It is a challenge at first. My school is a constructivist school, and my first year of teaching was difficult, not just because it was my first year of teaching. I would look at how my students were solving their problem, and be so confused as to the strategies they were using to get to their answers. After much observation and student questioning...I finally get it! I love that I can pose questions and allow my students the opportunity to take charge of their learning! It is so powerful!! As educators, it is our goal to make our teaching authentic and student based so they have the ability to apply their learning to the real world.
PS-Thanks for taking care of me yesterday! I don't ever want to feel that way again! YUCK!
Kathleen,
That safe community is a tough one to maintain. I think using a constructivist style in your room will encourage your students. I also agree that the use of technology will attract the mind to the task at hand. Or keep those ADHD kids on track and successful. Keep up the good work.
Hi Kathy,
I totally agree with you that sometimes we forget how important it is to plan when we creating are lessons. Many times I have been focused on the end product but didn't spend enough time on the planning and it would definitely show. I have noticed that my most successful lessons are the ones that took the most planning.
Geraldine
I love the way everyone is participating on this blog and sharing experiences. :O) I truly believe in and use the constructivist approach, however, sometimes it does take more up front planning in the beginning. Since we as teachers have so many learning styles and learning needs to consider the planning is even more important and the lack of it becomes very evident quickly.
A lot of the planning up front, however, makes for my classroom time with the kids much more productive and enjoyable. For example, it might take me 10 hours over a weekend to set up a "simulation" for a two-week investigation, however, that "student engagement" component is much greater and I think the learning experience is much more rich and in-depth. Kids are always coming back and telling me stories about "remember when we...?" :O) As Amanda discovered, the students taking charge of their learning is wonderful to experience as a teacher and the students retain much more information.
You just have to find that balance that suits your teaching style and your students' learning styles and sometimes that means you will make mistakes and have to try again. It's worth the risk though, because over the years I have learned so much from my students when they get that freedom to "discover."
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