Direct Instruction vs Constructivist Method

Direct instruction is a teaching/learning method which emphasizes individualized work. It contains specific instructional goals and objectives which are the same for all the students in the class. Skills and knowledge are passed on from the teacher to the students and the students learn prerequisite skills before acquiring the new knowledge and skills. The information is acquired by the students through carefully constructed presentations and activities which help the students understand, remember, and transfer this information. Students are assessed traditionally through multiple choice, short answer, etc, and answers are specific and graded by checklists or rubrics.
Constructivism puts more of a stress on group-based cooperative work. The goals under this method are things like critical thinking and problem solving. Students generate their own knowledge through their experiences which come in real life situations. Learning takes place through problem-oriented activities, visual formats and mental models, rich and complex learning environments, and learning through exploration. Students are assessed nontraditionally by group projects and multimedia projects. The products of the students are graded with self-report instruments.
The method I would use to teach technology would definitely be a constructivist method. I feel that when the learning revolves around the students, they will get more out of it. Also, by having students work together in groups and pairs, it allows for them to learn from one another which may result in more information being obtained by each student. As far as assessment goes, I think it is better for students to show how much they learned via portfolio than through multiple choice or short answer questions. If they are able to do the work and have it in their portfolio to show it then they most likely know what they are doing. Students who are bad test takers will not suffer because of an exam.