1 / 14

The Constructivism Zone

The Constructivism Zone. Constructivism: A psychological orientation that views learning as an active process in which the learner constructs understanding of the material they learn – in contrast to the view that teachers transmit academic content to student in small segments. By Lisa Garcia

gigi
Download Presentation

The Constructivism Zone

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. The Constructivism Zone Constructivism: A psychological orientation that views learning as an active process in which the learner constructs understanding of the material they learn – in contrast to the view that teachers transmit academic content to student in small segments. By Lisa Garcia Cindy Deligio Bernadette Bennett 11/25/01

  2. Major Theorist Jean Piaget (1869-1980) • Dedicated 75 years to research (Pub: 30 books, 15 doctorial works) • Research-developmental theory of knowledge (genetic epistemology) • Believes knowledge is a biological function which arises out of action • Four stages of developmental learning: Sensomotor, Preoperational, Concrete Operational, Formal Operational “I am a constructivist. I think that knowledge is a matter of constant, new construction, by its interaction with reality, and that it is not pre-formed. There is a continuous creativity.”

  3. Other Important Theorists • Ernest Von Glasersfeld • Born in 1917 at Munich, Germany • Major research in Radical Constructivism • Known for his work in educational reform • Emeritus Professor of Psychology at Univ. of Georgia • John Dewey (1859-1952) • American philosopher • Built upon Piaget’s Constructivist Theory • Major works: Pedagogy and Instrumentalism • Profound impact on Progressive Education

  4. What Is Constructivism • Building knowledge structures • Puts knowledge into action, making learning relative to the real world • Enhances excitement conducive to student’s active role in learning • Teaching students how to acquire knowledge, life long skill

  5. Constructivism Is NOT….. • The teacher’s role to dispensing knowledge, spoon feeding information for memorization • Dependent on textbooks as main resource of knowledge • Learners being told about the real world, but actively engaging in real world • Teacher’s lack of responsibility to educate, but rather allowing student to take control of their education

  6. The Constructivist Teacher • Supports co-operative learning • Hands-on activities • Group projects • Enforces natural or realistic settings • Facilitates learning process • Introduce new ideas or cultural tools • Provide guidance for students to make sense of concepts • Promotes motivation and excitement for topic/learning

  7. The Constructivist Teacher • Organize focused subject clusters • Set limits for the task • Guide students through examination • Know your student’s learning level • Ability to change and critically analyze • Follow established curriculum • Incorporate lessons based on student interest • Gives autonomy to student • Enable self-directed explorations and monitors work • Encourages independent thinking

  8. Students Role • Active engagement, initiative • Engage in group discussions • Make predictions, seek answers • Exhibit inquiry • Student attains own intellectual identity • Take responsibility for their own learning • Become problem solvers

  9. Students Role • Higher learning • Reflection, self-examination • Ability to think beyond given information • Summarize concepts, analyzing, justifying, defending their ideas • Communication and teamwork with others • Social discourse reinforces their ideas • Students become resources for their peers

  10. From Theory to Practice Popular Constructivist Subjects and dedicated lesson plans are found at: • Technology www.ilt.columbia.edu www.stemnet.nf.ca/~elmurphy/emurphy/cle2b.html • Math www.sedle.org/scimath/compass/v01n03/welcome.html www.op.net/~sliwin/index.html • Science www.owu.edu/~mggrote/mist/index.html www.enc.org/resources

  11. Positive Effects • Understanding and respect for diversity of perspectives • Builds trust in student’s own abilities • Student build understanding of the world they live in • Learn to creatively apply and seek knowledge • Teachers observe student’s learning progress

  12. Negative Effects • Falls short of explaining basic skills • Lack of time to focus on students learning • Large classrooms affects lack of individual attention • Student’s inaccurate past knowledge can have impact on building new information • Lack of Participation, fear of rejection

  13. Suggested Reading Brooks, J. The Case for a Constructivist Classroom. Alexandria, VA: ASCD Publishing. 1993. Cobb, Paul. Constructivism in Math & Science. Educational Researcher. 1994. 23(7). 13-20. Dewey. John. Democracy and Education. The Macmillan Company. 1916. Jonassen, D.H. Computers in the Classroom: Mindtools for Critical Thinking. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall. 1996.

  14. References Not Mentioned 100 Persons of the Century. Time Magazine Online. www.time.com/time/time100/scientist/profile/piaget.html Burner, J. Constructivist Theory.www.rtsined.com/teachingarts /Pedag/Constructivists.html 25 Oct. 2001. Parkay, Forrest W.Becoming a Teacher, 5th ed. Allen & Bacon Pub. 2001. Sprague D. & Christopher Dede) If I Teach This Way, Am I Doing My Job? Constructivism in the Classroom www.iste.org/L&L/achieve/vol27/no1/feature/ 30 Oct. 2001.

More Related