Constructionist Resources

"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" (Hubbell, Kuhn, Malenoski, & Pitler, 2007). In a nutshell, generating hypotheses help students form accommodations to their existing schema to achieve equilibration. Once students have formed these hypotheses, many of the discoveries that occur begin to assimilate into their schema. Through constructing their own learning, they are following a constructionist learning perspective.

Many data collection tools discussed in Generating and Testing Hypotheses aid to assimilation as student begin to "see the bigger picture and recognize patterns" (Hubbell, Kuhn, Malenoski, & Pitler, 2007). In addition many, "web resources and gaming software, in the form of interactive applets and simulations, allow students to use background knowledge, make decisions, and see the outcome of their hypotheses in virtual situation that would be impossible or financially unfeasible in real life" (Hubbell, Kuhn, Malenoski, & Pitler). These devices not only encourage more individual constructivist learning, but also strongly foster the four stages of Project Based Learning. "Darwin Pond" is a superb example of cooperative, Project Based Learning that allows students to create hypotheses and then test them. Overall, the resources discussed in this week's readings prove to very helpful to the constructionist educator.