Constructivism

1. Constructivism Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos

2. Outline • Overview of Constructivism • Two Types of Constructivism • Learning according to Constructivism • Constructivist Teaching Strategies Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos

3. Actively process incoming information Actively seek to understand the environment Passive Cognitive Theories Behaviorism Constructivism Constructivism • Learners construct their own meaning from information in the environment Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos

4. Assumptions of Constructivism • Knowledge is constructed as learners make sense of their experience • Knowledge constructions may not match reality • Learners actively seek meaning in the environment • In the learning process, learners create and test theories until a satisfactory explanation is known • Knowledge is context-dependent • Social interactions are vital to learning Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos

5. Constructivism:Process of Learning Schema:Typically a misconception Develop new schema (Accommodate) Test Schema No Expected Results? Yes Assimilate Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos

6. Metal Knife Balloon Discovery Learning Large bag of Rice Large Block of Wood Kobo Orange Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos

7. Types of Constructivism • Psychological Constructivism: Learning as improving individual knowledge and cognitive abilities • Many cognitive theories of learning can also be classified as Psychological Constructivist theories • Radical Constructivism: There is no truth in the world, only individual’s perceptions of the world Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos

8. Constructivism Schema: Mental representation of the world Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos

9. Constructivism • Equilibrium • Balance between world and mind • Occurs when schema works to explain world Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos

10. Constructivism • Disequilibrium • Disconnect between world and mind • Occurs when schema cannot explain the world • Uncomfortable Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos

11. Constructivism Assimilation: Fit new information (world) into existing schema (mind) Interpret world in terms of mind • Accommodation: Change schema (mind) to explain new situation (world) • Mind is changed because of the world Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos

12. Constructivism Schema World Type Subtraction is the opposite of addition Addition Assimilation Flat Earth Round Earth Accommodation Animal has four legs. Calls a goat a dog Four legs = dog Assimilation Adding factions: Add top keep bottom same Adjust denominator Accommodation Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos

13. Types of Constructivism • Social Constructivism: Learning as increasing the ability to participate with others in activities meaningful within the culture • Culture influences thinking when a more skilled person uses tools and practices from the culture to instruct another toward valued cultural goals • Thinking influences culture when members generate new practices and solutions to add to the cultural group’s repertoire Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos

14. Learning in Context • Education should focus on teaching knowledge that will be useful for life-long learning • Learning Goals • Ability to solve problems • Critical thinking skills • Personal inquiry skills • Ability to identify and pursue own learning goals Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos

15. A general wishes to capture a fortress located in the center of a country. There are many reads radiating outward from the fortress.  All have been mined so that while small groups of men can pass over the roads safely, a large force will detonate the mines.  A full-scale direct attack is therefore impossible. The general's solution is to divide his army into small groups, send each group to the head of a different road, and have the groups converge simultaneously on the fortress. Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos

16. The next passage is conceptually similar to the previous passage. Use the solution from the previous slide to solve the next problem. Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos

17. You are a doctor faced with a patient who has a malignant tumor in his stomach. It is impossible to operate on the patient, but unless the tumor is destroyed the patient will die.  There is a kind of ray that may be used to destroy the tumor.  If the rays reach the tumor all at once and with sufficiently high intensity, the tumor will be destroyed, but surrounding tissue may be damaged as well.  At lower intensities the rays are harmless to healthy tissue, but they will not affect the tumor either.  What type of procedure might be used to destroy the tumor with the rays, and at the same time avoid destroying the healthy tissue? Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos

18. Transfer • Transfer: Effect of previous learning on new learning. • Factors that affect transfer: • Similarity of learning situations • Depth of original understanding • Quality of learning experiences • Context for learning • Variety of experiences • Emphasis on metacognition Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos

19. Situated Learning • Situated Learning: Skills and knowledge are tied to the situation where they were learned • Knowledge learned outside of a meaningful context is useless • Focus on apprenticeships • Expert guides novice beginning with simple and increasing to complex Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos

20. Conditions of Learning • Learning occurs in complex, realistic, and relevant environments • Social interaction is an important aspect of learning • Teach with multiple modes of representation • Foster ownership in learning • Teach metacognitive skills Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos

21. Constructivist Teaching • Goal of Teaching: • Identify the skills or information that the learner needs to know prior to problem solving • Learners more motivated to learn when faced with problem solving situation that requires a bit of new information • Prerequisite skills are focused on in the context of higher-order goals Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos

22. Problem-Based Learning • Real World Problem • Collaborate to find solution • Teacher’s Role • Provide topic, Gather background information, Create ways to incorporate a variety of subjects, Delegate tasks to students, Facilitate the project Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos

23. Instructional Conversations • Conversations with probing questions to facilitate deep learning • Teachers scaffold (Vygotsky) • Teacher’s Role • Facilitate the discussion, Use good questioning techniques, Be open to student input Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos

24. Cognitive Apprenticeships • Students work with an expert • Real-life situation • Expert’s Role • Model, Guide, Scaffold Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos

25. Inquiry Learning Process Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos

26. Inquiry Learning • Scientific Procedure • Hypothesis • Test Hypothesis • Draw Conclusions • Reflect • First-hand vs. Second-hand Investigations • Teacher’s Role • Identify topic of study, Pose deep questions, Provide appropriate materials, Guide, Let students ask questions and discover the answer Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos

27. Constructivism • Common elements of all constructivist teaching strategies • Students actively participate • Teacher is a facilitator • Requires deep thinking from students • Real-world applications • Social orientation Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos

28. Applying Constructivism to Instruction • Elicit students’ ideas and experiences, then create learning situations to restructure current knowledge • Provide opportunities to engage in complex, meaningful, problem-based activities • Provide opportunities for students to apply the knowledge in many meaningful contexts • Teach self-regulation strategies Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos

29. Constructivism • Strengths: • Learning is interesting • Learning is relevant • Students are active in classroom • Deep learning • Creativity from the students • Motivated to learn Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos

30. Constructivism • Weaknesses • Hard to plan for • Students may ask questions you don’t know the answer to • Difficult for low students • Takes lots of classroom time • Not cover as much material Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos

31. Research-Supported Conclusions • Active learners are most successful • Learning from examples and doing fosters deep understanding • Meaningful learning is most effective as compared to rote learning • The social structure of the learning environment is critical to successful learning Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos

32. Constructivist Theories Overview • Results: Meaning of the environment • Means: Attempt to develop a theory of the world • Inputs: New information from the environment Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos

33. Constructivist Theories Overview • Learning Outcomes: Reasoning, Critical Thinking • Role of the Learner: Make meaning of the world • Role of the Instructor: Provide complex and realistic learning environments that challenge learners to solve problems • Inputs for Learning: Self-regulation learning skills, Motivation to make sense of the environment • Process of Learning: Assimilation and Accommodation • Weakness of constructivism Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos

34. Revision • What are the assumptions of a constructivist view of learning? • What are the two types of constructivism? • What is the difference between assimilation and accommodation? • What are a few constructivist teaching strategies? Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos