Lessons in Constructionism

Working with the theory of constructionism is so refreshing compared to behaviorism.  The idea of constructionism is taking firsthand experiences and making it a priority, as opposed to test scores being put into the for front.  The theory of constructionism states that people learn best when they build an external artifact or something they can share with others (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011).  Giving students that opportunity to build those firsthand experiences is a great learning tool. Students are actively engaged in creating their own meaning of the material in turn concretely connecting their knowledge and memory of the material.

Some of the learning tools that were recommended in this week’s reading were creating spreadsheets.  I have not worked much with spreadsheets so my experience with them is very limited. One idea that I really liked was having students making educated predictions while collecting data.  We are flipping the old idea of reading the material and answer the questions on its ear and allowing students to go through chapters and develop educated hypothesis using the spread sheet. When you build a hypothesis you are asking questions and building the connection to the material. Using these spread sheets they are actively engaged in the lesson connecting them with previous knowledge. At the beginning of the lesson students are already asking the questions.   

In my art class I can use this same idea when introducing new artists or new art movements.  Students will first be able to see works of art by an artist without being told about him or her.  Students will then be building up their own idea of what the artist was all about.  I could even try to create a spreadsheet comparing the artist or movement to other forms of art or artists.  Then we would be able to start and learn about the art movement or artist. This would make a much greater learning experience for the class then handing out an article on the artist and go around the room and read about them.  The more I could get my students involved and incorporating any type of technology would make art history a little more bearable.