Constructivists contend that learning is a process in which learners must be actively engaged in order to develop new understandings (Orey, 2001). Today, there are many new instructional approaches that support this theory of learning. A variety of strategies can also be used in the classroom to support student engagement and their creation of knowledge.
One such way to involve students in the learning process is through generating and testing hypotheses. This strategy can be used in all areas of the curriculum. Generating and testing hypotheses involves a structured process, through which teachers should guide their students (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn & Malenoski, 2007). Learners begin with a theory, then conduct research and collect data to support or disprove their hypotheses. A key piece to this strategy is the end result, when students must clearly explain their conlusions (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn & Malenoski, 2007).
Much like constructivist theorists recommend, the generating and testing hypotheses strategy is a student-centered activity. Learners are engaged in problem solving a real-life situation while they conduct their investigations. As noted by Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn and Malenoski (2007), this strategy is “experimental inquiry” in the classroom (p.203). Incorporating constructivist strategies like this truly allow students to assume an active role in their own learning.
Orey, M.(Ed.). (2001). Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works.
Megan,
ReplyDeleteYou did an excellent job explaining the generating and testing hypothesis strategy. I am curious as to specific ways you would incorporate this strategy in to your own classroom? Sharing specifics helps me add to my bank of ideas for my own classroom. Thanks!
Megan,
ReplyDeleteHow do you use the generating and testing of hypotheses theory in a language arts classroom? If you have any ideas you can share, I'd love to hear them. It's obvious how this applies to science or maybe math, but I'm just no sure how it would apply to English.
Constructivist strategies really do allow students to actively learn. Sometimes, I like to think back on my own most memorable moments from school:
ReplyDeleteI remember creating a diorama in Reading class and a knitting project in Art class at the middle school level. I remember creating specific essays in high school English class where I had to synthesize much information and generate an opinion. I remember creating a remote-control blimp that picked up golf balls in Transportation Technology in college.
In short, all the things I remember best were constructivist assignments, where the end result was my creation of something. It is definitely a great way to learn, if not the best way (for me)!