Project based learning is very important in any classroom. This causes a student to think critically, usually creating something physically or electronically. Anytime a student can make something on their own, they are more interested in the subject matter and tend to learn more since they have ownership over what they have made. Having a student create an object that goes along with what they are studying is known as constructivism (Laureate 2010).
On example of how I use constructivism in my classroom is a project which I do in Social Studies at the beginning of each year. The project has the students research the four river civilizations. The students research each civilization and find one item or idea that they feel is still important today for each civilization. The students then make each item using clay or other materials and then write a short paragraph on each item. For the last part of the project, I have the students decorate a shoe box that represents all of the civilizations. Most of the students really like the project because it ties both technology and art into the project and allows them to be creative.
I feel that anytime a teacher can make a project that allows students to make something while using technology will have great impact in their classroom. Since the students are digital natives and they have a strong grasp on the technology, most will excel while having fun. If a student is having fun, they will not see the project as hard work. The students are also creating an object and this causes the students to take ownership over what they are doing; hence making it relevant to their life. If the project is relevant, the students will retain more information because it is important to them.
References
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2010). Bridging Learning Theory, Instruction, and Technology. Baltimore, MD: Author
I agree with you that making an artifact that involves using technology or art engages the students more than anything. The students take pride in what they are creating and want to know as much information on the subject as possible. This helps teachers to take on the role of a facilitator in their learning and helping the students uses various resources to expand on their knowledge. Your project that you use in social studies is a great hands on learning experience for the students and they are taking interest in the different civilizations. This project also gives them an authentic experience when connecting items still used to this day from the past civilizations.
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I like the way you have students creating things in your classroom. When students build a model, or participate in an online virtual world, they learn more about applications and connections between facts than they do just reading about them. If they are going to create a scene about a different civilization, they need to research more than just important people, places, and dates. Students need to learn about clothing, society, and technology of the time. This connects multiple facts together, which in turn makes them easier to recall later. Sounds like a great class project!
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