Constructivism in Practice

Generating and testing hypotheses is an important 21st century learning skill for students to learn.  You can deductively or inductively generate and test hypotheses (Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M. & Malenoski, K.).  It is also important for teachers to stress to their students that they need to clearly and concisely explain not only their hypotheses, but their conclusions as well (Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M. & Malenoski, K.).  Teachers need to guide their students through generating and testing hypotheses by using specific tasks.  Six tasks that are useful to help students do this are systems analysis, problem solving, historical investigation, invention, experimental inquiry, and decision making (Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M. & Malenoski, K.). 

Generating and testing hypotheses goes right along with the constructionist theory, which is a theory of learning that states people learn best when they build an external artifact or something they can share with others (Laureate Education, Inc.).  Generating and testing hypotheses is creating an artifact.  First you need to do some research and then come up with a hypothesis.  Testing the hypotheses may involve creating something and of course, in the end you will share your results. 

I think that a good way to present and share a hypothesis is to use a PowerPoint presentation.  Students would have a nice finished product, one of with they created themselves, to share their findings.  By creating a hypothesis, testing it, and then creating a PowerPoint to share their findings, students will be following the constructionist theory. 

Resources:

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2010). Constructionist and constructivist learning theories. Baltimore, Maryland.

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M. & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.