EMINTS FY14

Module 102: Constructivism

http://kpfingsten.weebly.com/emints-fy14.html

Apps that will be used today:• Scratchwork• Venn Diagram

NIM (15 min.)

Find your “sole mate” Using the ten objects in front of you and your partner, take

turns removing one or two objects until all objects have been removed.

The last person removing an object loses the game. After one Game: Put observations on the board (sticky

notes) Find your “Birthday Season Partner”. Play again. After 5-10 minutes…discuss: how can you ensure you will

always win the game? Discuss: Observations after only one game v. several

games.

Questions, Questions, Everywhere Questions!!!

Every session will be guided by a set of questions. Essential Questions are those that encompass the big picture. There are multiple answers and it will be addressed throughout the entire evening through discussion.

How do people learn?

Essential questions are like looking at the entire forest as a whole.

Questions, Questions, Everywhere Questions!!!

Session questions break the essential question into more manageable pieces. They are the overall focus for all of today’s activities. The answers to these questions will be incorporated and reflected upon in each of our discussions.

How might the use of instructional strategies that reflect constructivist principles affect learning?

Session questions focus on the trees immediately around you.

Questions, Questions, Everywhere Questions!!!

Content Questions are those that are answered through specific activities. Generally, multiple content questions will be addressed throughout the meetings.

What principles provide a general frame for constructivism?

What makes instruction based on constructivism different from traditional methods?

How does the eMINTS Instructional Model align with constructivism?

What is the instructional role and learner role in a classroom based on constructivist principles?

Content questions are equivalent to examining a single tree.

Hands-on Acitivity: Save Fred! (30 min.) Can You Help Save Fred?

  

Fred has been spending his summer boating in the Everglades. However, he’s not too bright (after all, the brains of worms are pretty small). He’s never learned how to swim, and he never wears his life preserver. The worst has happened! His boat has capsized and he’s stuck! Fortunately, his life preserver is in the boat, but unfortunately he does not know how to reach it without falling off and drowning.   Problem:How can you and your partner save Sam using only 4 paper clips? (You may not touch Sam, the boat, or the life preserver directly with your hands.)

Complete Version A and then Version B…

Save Fred! Reflection:Content Reflection:

What did it feel like doing each version? What were the difference in you and your partners approach? How did each version affect your level of thinking?

What was the value of working with a partner to complete the activity the first time through (version A)?

How was Version A structured to ensure that both individuals were actively engaged?

Constructivism: Modified Jigsaw (45 min.)Content Question: What principles provide a general frame for constructivism?

In a minute, but not yet, we will get into groups of 5. Using the divide and conquer lesson, you will read through and use the information located at:http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/constructivism/exploration.html and http://www.wedl.org/pubs/tapinto/v1n1.pdf to create a list of Constructivist Principles in the Google Doc. that was shared this morning. Use SCRATCHWORK to record your ideas before making your list as a group.

Reflection and Putting into Practice

• How might constructivist principles affect learning for their students?

• How might using strategies that make learning relevant and meaningful for students enhance understanding?

• How might meaningful collaboration affect learning?

• What aspects of the eMINTS Instructional Model were addressed through this lesson?

• In what ways is student learning enhanced when using the modified jigsaw activity for gathering information?

• How might you use modified jigsaw in your room?

Lesson Comparison (30 min.)

Content Questions: What makes instruction based on constructivism different from traditional methods? What is the instructional role and learner role in a classroom based on constructivist principles?

Using the copies of the sample Constructivist and the sample Traditional lesson plans, work in groups of three or four to compare the two using the Comparing Two Types of Lessons handout.

Lesson Comparison Reflection: Share Comparisons How can technology support learning in the

constructivist example?

Comparing the eMINTS Instructional Model to Constructivism (40 min.)

Content Question: How does the eMINTS Instructional Model align with constructivism?

Working in the same groups as the last activity, use the copy of the eMINTS Instructional Model handout to compare eMINTS to Constructivism (using our Google Doc. from earlier this evening).

Use the Venn Diagram app to record your observations.

Comparing the eMINTS Instructional Model to

Constructivism: Reflection How did comparing the eMINTS Instructional Model to constructivist

principles deepen your understanding of both?

As you worked in a small group to compare and analyze the eMINTS Instructional Model and constructivist principles, what ways did working in a group enhance your understanding?

In your classroom, when might the use of groups benefit your students?

Personal Lesson Review (35 min.)Content Question: What makes instruction based on constructivism different from traditional methods?

Create a folder in your Google Drive that can be used to store documents developed in eMINTS.

Think of units you currently teach in a traditional method, which ones could you alter using instructional strategies grounded in constructivism?

Use the list of classroom practices in the participant module as a reference.

Sharing Out!Share one lesson or unit that you currently teach that you think could be altered using instructional strategies based in constructivism. Explain why you think this unit might benefit from the alteration.

!!!Closing!!!Create an In-Out Circle. Think of one additional lesson/unit that can be altered so that it is based in constructivism. Share your idea with the person you are

facing.

Class Visits If you have not already scheduled your

September class visit with me, please do so tonight.

If you have your dates available, we can schedule October visits as well. Please try to schedule a time when you will be working on planning or teaching a constructivist lesson.

Lasting Impressions