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Constructivism. By: J.T Snell, Tabatha Hanson, and Cynthia Ellis. What is Constructivism?. A theory based on observation that assumes all knowledge is constructed from knowledge previously learned regardless of the information delivery method . Unpacking the Theory. .
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Constructivism. By: J.T Snell, Tabatha Hanson, and Cynthia Ellis
What is Constructivism? • A theory based on observation that assumes all knowledge is constructed from knowledge previously learned regardless of the information delivery method
Unpacking the Theory. • People construct their own understanding of the world via experiences and refection • When faced with new information we either combine it with previous knowledge, change our point of view or disregard the information all together
Constructivist Teacher. • Encourages students to reflect on past information learned. • Goal is for every student to become an expert learner. • Prompts student to reflect on learned information to solve current problems. • Wants students to construct new knowledge rather than recite facts learned.
Observation Particulars. Video 1 “Starting Out” • Subject: English • Grade: Fourth • Teacher: Jonathan Holden • No. of Years Teaching: 2 • Location: Roxbury, Massachusetts • School: Nathan Hale Elementary School • Number of Students: 19 • Length of Observation: 18:55 • Demographics:
Video 1 • Significant Findings: • Mr. Holden encourages his students to calibrate in order to find deeper meaning in text. • Additionally: • Guided a whole class discussion on slam poetry • Allowed collaborative groups • Facilitated peer to peer questioning about the text
Observation Particulars. Video 2 “Voices in the Conversation” • Subject: English • Grade: Fifth • Teacher: Katherine Bomer • No. of Years Teaching: 7 • Location: Austin, Texas • School: Pleasant Hill Elementary School • Number of Students: 19 • Length of Observation: 18:55 • Demographics:
Video 2 • Significant Findings: • Mrs. Bomer uses the children's previously acquired knowledge, via their personal experiences, to help them relate to the literature that they are discussing and to each other. • Additionally She: • Allowed them to work in collaborative partnerships • Had them to write predictions for text • Guided the student discussion on the book The Color of My Words
Relevance of Constructivism • Constructivism is Relevant in the Classroom Because it: • Allows students to formulate questions • {inquiry} • Allows a variety of interpretations and expressions • {multiple intelligences} • Encourage cooperative work and the use of peers as resources {collaborative learning}
Pedagogical Stance. ҉Relating new information to previously learned information is a more effective way to teach. Evidence: According to George Miller relating new information to previously learned information, “chunking”, it the most effective way for humans to commit new information in to long term memory. Connections to Educational Psychology: Constructivism was in part based on Vygotsky’s Social Development Theory, and the works of Piaget, Dewey, Vico, Rorty, and Bruner.
Work Cited • Heylghen, F. (1993). Concept to classroom: How does this theory differ from traditional ideas about teaching and learning?. Retrieved from http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/constructivism/index_sub1.html • Learning-theories. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.learning-theories.com/constructivism.html • Theory: Constructivism. (n.d.). Quasar. Retrieved November 12, 2011, from http://www.quasar.ualberta.ca/techcur/theory/constructivism.htm • Instructional Design. (n.d.). Colocation | Broadband Wireless | Dedicated Servers | Web Design & Development | DSL | Web Hosting | Infinity Internet. Retrieved November 20, 2011, from http://nwlink.com/~donclark/hrd/learning/memory.html • Snowman, J. (2012). Psychology applied to teaching. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. • (2002). Engaging with literature a video library, grades 3-5. Burlington, VT: Annenberg/CPB.