Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Generating and Testing Hypotheses correlates with Constructivism/Constructionism
I think that the techniques discussed in this weeks resources correlated very well with constructive/ion methods. The data collection was great because the students were able to hypothesize the ph levels of the water sources, and after finding actual values, the students were able to inquire about why some sources of water were more acidic than others. This allows the students to construct from their own experience an understanding of how and why each water source gets acidic. The example using the spreadsheet allowed students to explore the data, and try to adjust variables in the compound interest formula. Doing this allowed the students to learn on their own how each variable effects the outcome. This also allows them to develop an understanding about which variable has a greater effect on the outcome of the formula. Likewise, they have the ability to use other understanding (and conversely develop understanding in other areas) to better understand why those variables have a greater or lesser effect. I think that the use of games and other web based applications correlate well with constructive/ion methods because depending on the applet, the student may be able to explore the topic by adjusting a variable, making a decision, or just plain old trying things out. From these, they are testing out an idea and adjusting their understanding from the outcomes. I remember a computer game that was out when I was in high school. It was called tanks (I think). It was a game where two tanks placed on an arbitrary terrain would take turns shooting at each other. In order to zero in on their opponent, the players would have to adjust their trajectory and the power in the shot. To a kid, it was just a fun game, but from an educators point of view, I see now that I was learning about angles, quadratics, and physics (in a very basic manner of course). I believe that my experience with that game is directly correlated with generating and testing hypotheses and constructivist/constructionist methods. If any of you are wondering, there is an app on the itouch (a friend of mine had it), and yes it is still pretty fun. : )
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Erus,
ReplyDeleteI STILL play the tanks game! We have it on our Wii. When my husband and I start playing (you can play with two players, working together), we can't stop until we have beat the game! I never thought about this game being a type of game that would lead into a discussion about trajectory, angles, quadratrics, etc. That is an AWESOME idea! I will now have to take my Wii to school and have a math lesson. My kids will love it! Great idea!
Jennifer
I remember the tanks game! It was fun as a kid, and I do see the reference that as educator you see topics covered that sometimes may be relatively boring classroom. In this day and age, students could probably take any information they have learned on a variety of topics and create their own computer game. I have had my students create games once before and seemed pretty successful. Now, may I will do the same again, this time, include a powerpoint of what it may look like or better yet, see if any could design an actual game we could play.
ReplyDeleteThe kids do have great imaginations. At least, better than mine is. It would be fun to see what kind of game they could come up with. The best part is that they will have to apply what they have learned in order to make a game.
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