Constructivism

The constructionist learning theories described in this weeks learning materials state that students learn the best when they learn through an external artifact that they create. I believe that students will achieve a higher level of learning if they gather information and then transform it to make it make sense to them using certain tools. There are many different tools that technology has given us that students can take advantage of and learn through. It is extremely important to have these tools available in the classroom as much as possible to engage students and have them make more connections to what they are learning.

An example of a piece of technology that students can use to learn information by creating an artifact is making a website or PowerPoint. These tools can insure that students take information they are learning about and put it into their own words and ideas by creating something new. Students can also show their understanding by making these artifacts. A teacher would be able to see if a student is on track by viewing their website or PowerPoint. Another idea is making connections to students' lives. This is always important because if students can relate what they are learning to what they already know they will retain the information more clearly. A way to do this is by creating a KWL chart in which students create a list of things they already Know about the subject, what they Want to learn, and what they Learned. This helps students to make connections.

Behavorist Learning Theory

For this weeks resources we learned about reinforcing effort and homework and practice through our book, "Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works". These two strategies correlate with the principles of the behaviorist learning theory in many ways.

The reinforcing effort states that if you give effort you will achieve whatever goals you have set out for yourself. Addressing students effort is very important because if a student gives more effort into what they are doing, they will achieve more success. This correlates with the behaviorist theory because the behaviorist theory states that teachers should reinforce desirable behavior. If teachers can reinforce giving effort in the classroom, they will get the desirable behavior of achieving success because they believed in themselves and therefore gave effort.

The homework and practice strategy states that students should constantly be going over what they have previously learned. Students can continue to gain more knowledge and clear up any misunderstandings as they complete their homework. This supports the behaviorist learning theory because the students are reinforcing what they learned when they complete their homework, and the behaviorist theory states that students should go through reinforcement.