Blocks to Robots

Constructionist Approach to Project Based Learning for New STEM Teachers

Author & Presenter: Michael Kutch

New Teacher Orientation 2010

Today’s Educational Demands

Modern Expectations of Education: Emphasis on Science, Technology,

Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Develop an understanding of how the world

around us functions Balance content with appropriate workplace

skills: Teamwork, Troubleshooting, Problem Solving,

Filtering through “information overload”

Constructionism vs. Constructivism

Piaget’s

Constructivism

Papert’s

Constructionism

Papert’s physical constructionsserve to support Piaget’smental constructions.

Physical Constructions

Mental Constructions

Piaget’s Schema

Physical Robots

Beyond Traditional Construction

Traditional, Static construction

Dynamic, programmable construction

The Four Elements of Constructionism

1. Design meaningful projects

2. Use concrete objects to build and explore

3. Identify powerful ideas

4. Engage in self reflection

Robotic construction kits alone do not constitute constructionism, implementation requires 4 principles:

I. Meaningful Projects

Projects must be:Structured enough to meet curricular needs…

yet…Flexible enough to account for student interests and ideas.

Core-Content Standards Differentiation

Projects must provide authentic opportunities for children to share:

Products… …Processesand

notesphotosvideos, etc.

II. Concrete Objects to Build

“Constructionism recognizes the importance of ‘objects to think with’ and proposes new technologies…as the new generation of learning manipulatives” (Bers, 2008, p. 21)

Physical Object (atoms) Program (bits)

III. Powerful Ideas

Powerful Ideas Essential QuestionsLead to,Prompt,Answer

Can be either process or content specific and “afford new ways of thinking, new ways of putting knowledge to use, and new ways of making personal and epistemlogical connections” (Bers, 2008, p. 23).

The ideas of constructionism

The fundamental questions of Understanding by Design (UbD, Wiggins & McTighe)

IV. Learning about Learning: Metacognition

Documentation Thinking about thinking

Notes, photos, and videos document the process of building a robot…

Documentation makes learning visible

Visible learning leads to consideration of the learning process

Public displays of learning motivate students to make sense of their own learning styles

Conditions Required

ConditionsPromoting

PTD:

IdentityConstructionEnvironments

The Six-C’s

Does your choice of technology address each of these factors?

What environmental factors must change to meet these conditions?

Identity Construction Environments

Meet 10 criteria, items 1-5:

1. Safe Space

2. Support Introspection

3. Provide design-based activities

4. Provide tools for complex representations of self

5. Provide flexible ways of expressing powerful ideas

Computers & Digital Technology provide powerful means of expression

Identity Construction Environments – continued…

6. Provide opportunities for narrative expression

7. Engages users for long periods

8. Uses networked technologies to enhance communication

9. Supports passage from knowledge to action

10. Promotes partnerships, both peer-peer and peer-teacher, throughout process

Six C’s

A learning environment must develop the “six C’s” of thriving individuals: Competence Confidence Caring Connection Character Contribution

Controlled Chaos & Handling it

To Maintain “Control”: Assign team members specific roles Discuss issues with teams of like-roles End instruction with whole class discussion time, and

document where you left off Allow “free-building” over specific instructions especially as

skills are mastered Its okay to not be the source of all answers

Teacher Lecturer Teacher Mentor

Perceived Control Perceived Chaos

Little Authentic Learning Much Authentic Learning

Additional Suggestions

Technology Circles Most project work happens in individual

groups Technology circles unite the whole class Focus on general issues, observations,

progress reports, and comments Just in Time (JIT) Teaching

Some of the questions gleaned from technology circles will hit on powerful ideas

Teach topics in short sessions, just as students need them

Resources

Books: Bers, M. (2008). Blocks to robots: Learning with technology in the early

childhood classroom. New York: Teachers College Press. Wiggins, G., & McTighe, J. (2005). Understanding by design (2nd ed.).

Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Photo Credits: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f2/Brooklyn_Bridge_-_

New_York_City.jpg www.arts.yorku.ca/.../article_children.html http://www.think-tank.com/COOL%20STUFF/files/page51_blog_entry1

2_1.gif

Photo Credits, con’t

http://www2.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/9797608/2/istockphoto_9797608-friendly-cartoon-robot.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2346/2451203237_248776f4f4.jpg www.generation5.org/content/2004/ris20.asp http://www.cty.jhu.edu/bin/x/u/boywriting1inch.jpg http://www.halcyon.com/arborhts/mahlness/uploaded_images/MVC-

003F-742145.JPG http://www.harrycutting.com/graphics/photos/education/young-boy-

raises-hand-classroom-I175-04-58.jpg