Generating and testing hypothesis falls completely in line with constructivism. Students are greeted with a problem, situation , or point of interest. If they follow the six step procedure to test and generate a hypothesis lie the book says, they are basically creating something they can hold onto like DR. Orey talked about. By coming up with the hypothesis then investigating it, they are discovering knowledge that they may not have had prior. Then, by analyzing and drawing conclusion on the results they could also create some sort of wrap up, demonstrating their knowledge and their findings. I could not only see them creating a chart or pie graph, but take that one step further by creating a slideshow, powerpoint or podcast. Better yet, making a presentation to the class.
The idea I came up with continues to grow, it basically deals with a new unit on southwest Asia. They are to compare economies of countries in the region to the United States. My plan would include forming a hypothesis as to why it would be horrible to be a teenager living in one of the countries or why it would be great. Then compare the three and explain which one they would want to live and not live and why based on their findings. Constructivism in action, and using a hypothesis and testing it. This idea in still in developmental stages, but doe sit sound like I am on the right track?
References
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2009). Program seven. Constructionist and Constructivist Learning Theories [Motion picture]. Bridging learning theory, instruction and technology. Baltimore: Author.
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Would the students pick the country to compare or would you assign them the country? Would they focus on just economy or other factors for living in the country? I like the idea. It goes along with the 5th theme of the 5 themes of geography: REGIONS - desecribe or compare geographic regions, economic regions and cultural regions. It is the one theme I have a very hard time hitting. I just may borrow your idea and widdle it down for elementary school. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI like your idea. How many countries would they compare?
ReplyDeleteI would think they should view demographics, education and the types of technology that would be available to them.
Mike,
ReplyDeleteI like your thinking on this project and it does sound like you are on the right track. Generating and testing your hypothesis does coincide with the constructionism theory. However, so does project based learning. Do you know what you would have them create in order to display their findings. I am sure that they could input data into excel and create charts that can visually show the difference in the countries economies. However, what other projects do you think the students could do in order to gain a deeper understanding of the concept that you are trying to teach?
Meghan