Dr. Orey (Laureate Education 2009) reiterated how learning is more effective when students build meaning through their own artifacts. Students also attain knowledge through connections and real world experiences. “Generating and Testing Hypotheses” is one way in which learners can construct meaning and develop knowledge. According to Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn & Malenoski (2007) “when students generate and test hypotheses, they are engaging in complex mental processes, applying content knowledge like facts and vocabulary, and enhancing their overall understanding of the content” (p. 202). When utilizing technology, students have the opportunity to generate and test hypotheses in probeware and interactive applets, spending their time interpreting the data rather than gathering the data (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn & Malenoski 2007). This practice can be accomplished with spreadsheet software, data collection tools and Web resources. Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn & Malenoski (2007) also mentioned how interactive applets and simulations “allow students to use background knowledge, make decisions, and see the outcome of their hypotheses, often in virtual situations that would be impossible or financially unfeasible in real life. This type of higher order thinking through the use of these Web resources, are artifacts that can also prepare the student for “real life” situations that involves the use of analyzing and problem solving skills that are vital in the “real world.”
References:
Laureate Education, I. P. (2009). Bridging learning theory, instruction, and technology. Baltimore: Author.
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Denver: Mid=continent Research for Education and Learning.
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You seem like the perfect person to ask this question since you are a K-4 teacher of technology. I was wondering what are some of your favorite lessons to teach children of such a young age that uses technology to generate and test hypotheses? I do not current have the technology that I need at this time but I am always preparing myself for when the technology arrives to my classroom. I am a collector of advice and wisdom, at this time.
ReplyDeleteProblem Solving is so important for students to learn and practice. We have just added
ReplyDeletehttp://abcya.com/kindergarten_computers.htm
to our web pages. The students love the interactive buttons and animation.
Making student learning relative to real world is so vital in helping them actually learn. We talk about students who can recite and retain information for a test but after the test they forget. When learning really takes place, students will remember for a lifetime. Using real world topics and things that relate to their lives helps students create that mindframe to remember and "really" learn.
ReplyDeleteCreating real life situations is extremely important to student learning. I use power point presentations in my classroom and have the students act as the teacher for a lesson. This engages the students and motivates them to do well in front of their peers.
ReplyDeleteSimulating real world moments and events will better prepare students for the real world. In the real world we run into problems that our schooling did not tell us how to handle or deal with them. But as a teacher who teaches the students problem solving techniques, we can teach them not how to solve a particular problem, but how to solve any type of problem. We cannot always predict what events students may be faced with. So yeah, I like this.
ReplyDeleteWhenever you can relate the curriculum to real life the children are more interested and it gives them the satifaction of knowing that they can use this information again. In the BD classrooms I have worked in the number one excuse for not doing the assignment was always "why should I? It isn't like I'm going to need to know this when I grow up!" You take that statement away when you show them how the information can be useful to them.
ReplyDeleteChristine,
ReplyDeleteI could not agree more with your comment about how children need to know why the information would be useful to their future. Relating the curriculum to real life and then creating artifacts so that long term memory connections can be made is key in learning concepts.
Nish,
ReplyDeleteSimulating real world situations at least as you say gives students a foudation or prior knowledge. Problem solving is an important skill that prepares for the future without this skill a problem may seem more like a crisis.
Virtual field trips can give students access to background knowledge without the expense and time that a real fieldtrip takes. Of course you can not beat actual experience but when it is not possible to travel around the world, its the next best thing. Can you imagine when we learn to import 4D movies into our computers?
ReplyDelete