Lesson 17: Assessment in a Constructivist, Technology-Supported Learning

 

WHAT IS CONSTRUCTIVIST THEORY?

• Constructivist theory is a theory to explain on how knowledge is constructed in the human being
• when b information comes into contact with existing knowledge tha t has been developed by
• experiences. Constructivism as a theory of learning has existed for over one hundred years
• but has no been widely accepted or applied in public schools.this theory is just a posed of
• behavioral theory.

WHAT IS TECHNOLOGY-SUPPORTED LEARNING?

• It is used to encourage students especially in facilitating student centered learning activities.
• It is more than technology enhance instruction. It recognizes that learning is supported in
• many different ways, even if there is no formal teaching involve.
•  
• Students study and learn based on the way they are tested. The type of assessment anticipated
• appears to influence how and what they learn. therefore, the quickest way to change the way
• students learn is to change the way learning is assessed.
•  
• In a technology-supported classroom, the student learns from and with the technology.
• Technology is seen as a source of information that the students learn from in the same
• way that the teacher are the source of information.. the students master facts from
• the concepts from technology and with the aid of technology.
• For example, when a teacher is engaging students in a learning opportunity, the instructor begins to question. The process of questioning not only interests students in a topic, but also gives the instructor an idea of the amount of prior knowledge a learner will bring to the experience.
• During the exploring stage, "...students’ inquiry process drives instruction during an exploration." Driving instruction is one purpose of assessment, whether in a traditional or constructivist classroom.
• During the explain stage, communication occurs between student and teacher. At this point, an instructor can input more information or points of inquiry as needed; again they are actively assessing. Also during the explain stage, artifacts become available that demonstrate concrete evidence of student understanding.
• When students begin to elaborate on their ideas and observations, possible avenues of future research can develop.
• Therefore, evaluation as a stage is not meant to be solitary and final, but a constant in each stage of constructivist learning (Miami Museum of Science, 2001).

Principle Tools and Methods Used in Constructivist Assessment

Similarities and Differences Between Constructivist and

Traditional Assessment

Similarities : 

• Both types of assessment can take on a variety of formats: paper and pencil, physical hands on experience, or some type of exchange.
• The phrasing and use of critical thinking terminology in questioning can also be similar.
• Instructors in traditional classroom also use assessments in order to plan lessons and develop activities.

Differences : 

• Both types of assessment can take on a variety of formats: paper and pencil, physical hands on experience, or some type of exchange.
• The phrasing and use of critical thinking terminology in questioning can also be similar.
• Instructors in traditional classroom also use assessments in order to plan lessons and develop activities.