Constructivist/Constructionist Learning Theories

Learning about constructivist/constructionist learning theories is very interesting because I can see some real validity in its points.  The basis behind the theory is that one learns through experiences and not all people leave the same experience with same understanding.  Watching the video this week, the chair example really helped me to understand this idea.  When I think of a chair, it is not the same chair that someone else pictures.  I have a picture of a chair in my mind based on my experiences, where as someone else’s picture of a chair is based on their experiences.  This supports the idea that learning has to happen through experience.  If I were to tell someone that blue and yellow make green, they might believe me, but they are more apt to remember it if they experience the change through an experiment. 

When reading through the “Generating and Testing Hypotheses” section in the course text, the spreadsheet section drew my attention.  Being a math teacher, I can see this as a great tool to use for teaching budgets.  The students can be told about bills and finances in the future, but will they really understand saving, withdrawing, debt, etc?  If the students live through an experience in the classroom utilizing a spreadsheet program that practices real-life budgeting, wouldn’t they learn a lot more?  I can see this experience being one that sticks with them and when they are an adult using some of the skills we talked about in the classroom. 

The key idea that I took away from all the resources is that of experiences.  In order for a person to learn something new this component is vital.  Not just any experience will do either; it needs to be an experience that is authentic and valid to the students.