In my class, there are many different projects that students are given that put them into a place they are not all that comfortable with. This place is known as "Problem-Solving". Students are given a task, and with this task, are asked to solve the problem at hand. It could be as simple as "How can we determine all parts of a drawing with the lack of dimensions", or more complicated as "Can you develop a bridge of 25 grams or less that can hold a minimum of 50 lbs?". It's projects/problems like this that can develop a thought process that can not be obtained through direct instruction or lecturing. With Problem solving activities, it is important to give students some, but not enough to give them the answer they are so desperately searching for. We must give a problem, and then have students be able to explain their solution to the problem and their hypotheses and conclusions. Doing this, takes the teaching out of the instructors hands, and puts the learning directly into the students hands.
Using Generating and Testing Hypotheses can greatly increase the level of understanding of our students because they are able to experience a problem first-hand and use prior knowledge and experiments to determine a possible and probable outcome/solution to the task given. This instructional strategy relates directly to the constructivist/constructionsist learning theories due to the nature of the work. In this strategy, the teacher is acting as a facilitator, rather than an instructor/lecturer. Having students work independently on a project allows a much higher level of learning and can help to develop life-long skills that these students must obtain for futures in college and beyond.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2008). “Cognitive learning theories” [Educational video].
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K.(2007). Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD
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When you have problem solving/hands-on activities in the classroom, how do you facilitate them from one day to the next? I enjoyed reading your comment "it is important to give students some, but not enough to give them the answer they are so desperately searching for". At times, as a teacher you might just want to help and speed up the process, but I find you must give students time to process the information in their own way. Some students process information quicker than others.
ReplyDeleteI think that problem solving gives students a challenge and it excites them. I also think that students love to be challenged by the teacher or be given a chance to prove them wrong. What would you say is the most entriguing lesson you have done in your technology class? I am currently working on a temporary contract and always wondered what a middle/high school technology class would look like.
ReplyDeleteDanny,
ReplyDeleteYour final point is so true. The constructivist style is an excellent tool for preparing our students for their future school endeavors and more importantly the work world. I always try to find real world connections to the concepts we teach in school. Some are easier than others. The PBL makes the real world connection much easier.
Having strong problem solving skills is an important component of being a successful student as well as an independent person. The saying "Your can give a man a fish and he will eat for a day or teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime" comes to mind. If we hand deliver neat and clean information to our students they will learn things. However, if we expect them to find information and solve problems on their own, then we have helped to create a life long learner.
ReplyDeleteDanny,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your statement about giving students some guidance but by the same token, making the students work to find the answer. Students are going to learn best as well as remember what they've just learned when they have taken ownership while creating their artifact. You have done a great job in becoming the facilitator with your students. You also have some very interesting projects. WOW!
Thanks for all of the positive support. It's nice to get such good feedback on posts like this to know how others feel about my styles, strategies and techniques in the classroom.
ReplyDelete