Constructivism

1. Constructivism The Mad Scientists

2. Key Theorists of Constructivism • Jean Piagethttp://mtmmrl.pbworks.com/f/Piaget.jpg • Jerome Bruner http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SHqTZRABUOs/TUvv-hA92YI/AAAAAAAAADU/pEbTirzfpIQ/s320/Bruner.jpg • John Dewey http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mm3SHumMGHY/T3BYWX-Y4CI/AAAAAAAABCM/dYeL6eUrgqI/s1600/john+dewey.jpg

3. Key Points of Constructivism • Learning is best accomplished by doing, less focus on lectures • Active learning is stressed over passive learning • Social integrations are considered key to learning • The student is pressed to form, and thus construct, the concepts of the instruction • Jean Piaget stressed that different age groups develop different cognitive stages • Jerome Bruner proposed participatory learning and with diverse class activities • John Dewey suggested experiential and practical education

4. Classroom Implications for Teachers With technology • The class should be a student laboratory • Computers, calculators, the internet, and other diverse media should be available Without technology • Encourage the students to formulate their own questions • Use real world examples to promote conversations • Assign collaborative activities and group work

5. Classroom Implications for Students With technology • Utilize online tools for group coordination • Use programs to prepare presentations • Share things online that they have found interesting with their peers Without technology • Devise hands-on experiments to demonstrate things taught in class • Share personal experiences with others to promote social connections • Think of ways that the class will impact their life

6. My personal feelings on this theory I believe that this theory is very appropriate and an excellent way of teaching to incorporate in the classroom. I find that constructivism works very well when working with children who are digital natives. Not only are they working with their hands and being very engaged in class but also get to be exposed to the varieties of technology that is available to them as students.

7. Quiz Time! Directions: Take the following quiz and respond with the best answer. Click on the best answer to the question. If you are right you will get to move on to the next question. If you are incorrect, you will get to try again.

8. Question 1 Which of the following is a key theorist of constructivism? • A. Jean Piaget • B. Benjamin Bloom • C. Ivan Pavlov • D. Howard Gardner

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11. Question 2 True or False: Teachers can imply constructivism in the classroom by assigning group work. • A. True • B. False

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14. Question 3 Which statement is NOT a key point of constructivism? • A. Learning is best accomplished by doing, less focus on lectures. • B. Social integrations are considered key to learning. • C. Human learning is objective and experimental. • D. Active learning is stressed over passive learning.

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17. Question 4 What is one way a STUDENT can imply constructivism in the classroom USING technology? • A. Think of ways that the class will impact their life. • B. Use real world examples to promote conversations. • C. Devise hands-on experiments to demonstrate things taught in class. • D. Use programs to prepare presentations.

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