For this weeks assignment I decided to explore some of the constructionist learning resources that dealt with the visual arts. As an art teacher my classroom revolves around project based learning, I give my students a theme or a media to work with and they get to have a hands-on learning experience that often involves critical thinking and self-discovery types of learning. At the Edutopia website, I came across a real life example of how project based learning is integrated at a high school in San Fransico. The students worked as "interns" in an architectual firm in San Fransico in partnership with their high school. The students were treated as interns and the projects they created utilized the technology tools that the actual architects work with. Each student was responsible for creating a presentation and model of their designs and were held to the same criteria as if they were hired employees. What made the course really effective was, "that participants [were] exposed to the unvarnished realities of life in the highly competitive and often-contentious world of design and architecture" (Rapaport, 2007). The constructionism involved with this lesson definitely provides the students with a personal and meaningful artifact that taught them real life skills and showed how they will apply them in real life situations.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Bridging learning theory, instruction, and technology. Baltimore: Author.
Rapaport, Richard. "Immersing Students in Civic Education | Edutopia." Improving Public Schools & Public Education | Edutopia. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2010.
What a fantastic idea. Students would get such great exposure to the world of architecture and to the working world as a whole through projects such as this. I think these types of learning opportunities should be mandatory throughout middle and high school to help students realize their strengths and areas of interest for their life after school. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI agree, I think students need that real-life aspect applied to school to have a clear understanding of what will be expected of them in the real world.
ReplyDeleteKristina,
ReplyDeleteThe edutopia activity you talk about would be a great approach at the middle school level. Students often here teachers like myself say what it will be like to handle situations in the real world. The only conflict I see is trying to mix it in and get ready for SOL's. Problem solving activities with constructivism take time. Curriculum is so extensive, and teachers are caught up doing reviews and drill and practice. What does everyone else think?
Jay