blocks to robots
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Blocks to Robots. New Teacher Orientation 2010. Constructionist Approach to Project Based Learning for New STEM Teachers. Author & Presenter: Michael Kutch. Today’s Educational Demands. Modern Expectations of Education: Emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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