Constructivist Learning Theory

1. Constructivist Learning Theory And Instruction

2. Constructivist Learning Theory Learners construct new knowledge by applying old understandings to new experiences and ideas.

3. Constructivism Assimilation Something Happens Dissonance Equilibrium Accommodation The SOMETHING that HAPPENS is what you – the teacher – have to provide. Then, you guide the students to assimilate and accommodate.

4. Teaching Upside-Down • There is some kind of student-centered introduction that lets them tell you what they know and think. • There is some kind of activity that lets them use higher order thinking skills. • The teacher offers additional information and guidance to help students draw conclusions (construct knowledge). • The teacher offers additional opportunities for more information, given the context of what the students have discovered.

5. What would you say is the most important part of learning according to constructivists?

6. “If I had to reduce all of educational psychology to just one principle, I would say this: the most important single factor influencing learning is what the learner already knows. Ascertain this and teach him accordingly.” Ausebel (1968)

7. In the demonstration lessons, where and how was prior knowledge accessed and assessed?

8. Where do the “new experiences” come from? Where do the “ new ideas” come from?

9. Learning Getting knowledge that is inside to move out; getting knowledge outside to move in.

10. New learning is enriched as learners wrestle with ideas on the outside before bringing them in and taking ownership.

11. Learning is least useful when it is private and hidden; it is most powerful when it becomes public and communal. Learning flourishes when we think we know and offer it as community property among fellow learners so that it can be tested, examined, challenged and improved before we internalize it.

12. Learning should be social!

13. Why is making it social valuable? Which is better? Getting it from a peer… Or getting it from a teacher?

14. Behavioral Social Information Processing Constructivist How does it all fit?

15. What does this mean for the teacher? • You must find out and use what they already know. • You must hear their ideas. • You must let them talk to each other. • You must let them figure it out (or think they did).

16. Which works best? It depends…

17. Your Lessons • Read it. • What learning theories are being employed? • How do you know? • Are they appropriate? • To what degree is inquiry appropriate for your lesson? • Not at all. (Are you sure? It’s okay if it is and you are.) • Entirely! • Just in the beginning. • At the very least… • Just figure out what is appropriate for • The learner • The content