The instructional strategy “generating and testing hypotheses” correlates with the principles of constructivist/constructionist learning theories. The constructionist theory asserts that students need to do research within their small groups when generating and testing a hypothesis. This ends with an artifact, according to the theory.
Using technology would allow students to generate a final project. The most popular technology tool used to create a final project is PowerPoint. Students can work in a small group to make a PowerPoint and present it to their classmates. There were several examples in our reading that covered how a hypothesis could be tested and how students could end with a final project. Letting the students work in small groups and making sure the teacher only helps when needed is the most effective path to student learning.
According to Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn and Malenoski, when using the instructional strategy of generating and testing hypotheses, there are six steps that need to be completed: systems analysis, problem solving, historical investigation, invention, experimental inquiry and decision making. These steps correlate with the constructivist/constructionist theory.
When I first started reading about generating and testing hypotheses, I was not sure how I would use it in my Kindergarten classroom. My initial thinking was that there is no way my kids could do this. When I think of testing hypotheses, I think of science – and I remember this was something I struggled with, even into my high school years. As I continued to read, however, I began to realize how to tie in the constructivist theory. I soon discovered that there would actually be several ways my students could do this. In fact, if given the proper instructions and guidance, I think my students could eventually learn to generate a PowerPoint as a group and then present it to the class.
I have learned so many different ideas that will allow me to incorporate technology thanks to the use of different instructional strategies. I thought I was teaching my Kindergarten students technology the best I could with our limited technology supplies, but have now started to realize there is so much more I can do. That is both exciting and reassuring.
Reference:
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD
Carri,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post! You shared some wonderful insights.
I also agree that Power Point is a wonderful way for children to show their ideas and utilize technology. Have you ever used this tool with your students? Or are you planning to in the future? I have yet to use it with my third graders. I hope to in the future. I am thinking it would be better to have them construct a Power Point as a group first and then eventually work on their own. Sometimes when children work in small groups they can come up with ideas easier and put their minds to together.
Lyndsay
Hi Carri,
ReplyDeleteI agree with Lyndsay--thoughtful, interesting post--with a great question embedded.
Yes--I think very young children may be the perfect audience for activities grounded in constructivism. Most young students are naturally curious--they love to ask "why" or "how come" and typically want to try everything for themselves.
I can see a kindergarten being asked to make predictions and then observing and collecting data about something. They could speculate on which plant will grow healthier and have different conditions for the plants--they could guess what it going to happen to a character in a story and explain why they think so.
So many interesting ways to build a foundation of self-directed questioning.
Thanks so much for posting.
Susan
Carri,
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned that you now realize that you could use the hypothesis strategy in your classroom. What are some of the ways in which you could do this?
As Susan said in her post, children are quite curious and often ask those questions,"Why" and "How come". I like the examples that she used using this strategy.
Carri,
ReplyDeleteHave you checked out Classroom 2.0? There are many special interest groups geared specifically toward Kindergarten teachers and how technology can best be incorporated into learning for these little guys. Visit the following link for a peek: http://www.classroom20.com/groups/group/search?q=kindergarten
Lysdsay-
ReplyDeleteI have not used PowerPoint with my Kindergarten class, but I have however done it with a third grade class that I did my student teaching with. To my surprise they did really well with the activity.
Dr. Krauss-
Yes at this age my students are full of so many questions. We do make a lot of predictions in our class in different subject areas.
I feel that one way to implement the strategy in my classroom is I want to start studying butterflies with them and I would like them to create a PowerPoint about their learning after we are finished with our studies.
Lisa-
Thanks for the website. It is not one I have used, but I will be checking it out. It sounds like it is a very helpful website.
Carri,
ReplyDeleteI really like some of the points that you make in your blog and some of the ideas that you have. I have used PowerPoint a lot in the classroom and you made a great point that students could use PowerPoint to test and prove a hypothesis. This is a great idea because it can give a great step by step detail into proving a hypothesis. Another thing that I really appreciate in your post is the way that you think deeply about how to use hypothesis with a kindergarten class. If you are able to introduce hypothesis at a young age, it will help the students go even further with the process when they are older.