How Technology Can Facilitate Constructivist

Curricular Approaches

by Katherine Bennett and Amy Goodchild 

Janice would like to incorporate technology into a lesson designed according to the constructivist theory. She believes that students need to be able to develop their own knowledge and be more self sufficient. She wants to help them become strong leaders of tomorrow by developing leadership qualities through teamwork, organization, respect for diversity, and use of technology. Constructivist theory suggests that student learning is an active process of making sense of information and experiences so teachers need to provide a climate that stimulates and supports them in "developing their own concepts and comprehension." (Tiene & Ingram 2001, p. 64)

"Teachers cannot 'pour' knowledge into the heads of students as they might pour lemonade into a glass; rather, students must make their own lemonade...teachers can supply the lemons, sugar, and water, as well as some directions about the relative proportions of each that will yield a flavorful drink." (Ormrod 2004, p. 180)

Proposal 1: North Korean Photo Story 3 Presentation

Proposal 2: South Korean Pen Pals Using the 5 E Approach

http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Search.aspx?contractUrl=2&language=en-US&family=creative&p=korea&lic=rf&assetType=image&src=quick

References

Ingram, A., & Tiene, D. (2001). Exploring current issues in educational technology. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill

Ormrod, J. E. (2004). Human learning (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc