1. Adam Carberry Morgan Hynes February 8, 2005
Hands-On, Minds-In
Adam Carberry
Morgan Hynes
February 8, 2005

2. Questions 4 Pillars of Constructionism
Discuss in detail the assigned pillar and also answer the number corresponding question below.
4 Pillars of Constructionism
1. Designing Meaningful Projects
2. Importance of Objects
3. Powerful Ideas Empower the Individual
4. Premium of Self-Reflection
How do the 3 studies use constructionist approaches to teach?
What, if anything, do students of all ages gain from the integration of technology into their classes? Is it feasible/desirable?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of bringing technology to the classroom? Does technology such as the RCX and cricket show vast learning improvements at all age ranges?
How do the 3 studies integrate subject matter/content/values, separate from technology, through technology? Does it improve upon current methods and ideologies?

3. Design Meaning Belief in the constructionist approach to education
Learning by designing something that is meaningful to the designer/society
Sharing such designs with the community

4. Importance of Objects
Support the development of concrete ways of thinking and learning abstract phenomena
The use of a wide range of materials which allow the student/designer build and explore the world
Design, create, manipulate in the real and virtual world
Aesthetically pleasing

5. Powerful Ideas New ways of thinking
New ways of putting knowledge to use
New ways of making personal and epistemological connections with other domains of knowledge

6. Self-Reflection
The best learning experiences happen when people are encouraged to explore their own thinking process and their intellectual and emotional relationship to knowledge, as well as the personal history that affects the learning experience.

7. Activity Instructions
Each group will be given an already constructed robot
Task: Determine ways in which the given robot can be used in a classroom
What ideas may it be capable of portraying to a class of students?
Are the ideas relevant or far-fetched?