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Knowledge Construction Chapter 7. Constructive processes in learning and memory. Individual Constructivism: Storage. Influenced by. Individual Constructivism: Retrieval. Combining partial information with general knowledge, assumptions about the world leads to reconstruction errors.
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Individual Constructivism: Storage • Influenced by
Individual Constructivism: Retrieval • Combining partial information with general knowledge, assumptions about the world • leads to reconstruction errors
Social Constructivism • Meaning is jointly constructed • two or more people at the same time • distributed cognition • by groups or cultures over time • science, literature, art
Concepts • Mental grouping of similar events, objects, ideas, or people • “Smallest units of thought” • Can be concrete (dog) or abstract (noun) • Learned through experience (dog) or direct instruction (noun)
Schemas & Scripts • Schema • Script • Influenced by culture
Theories • Integrated sets of concepts & principles to explain particular phenomena • “Naïve theories” constructed by individuals
General Strategies • Provide opportunities for observation, experimentation • Present experts’ perspectives • Emphasize conceptual understanding • Encourage classroom dialogue • Assign authentic activities • Scaffold theory construction • Create a community of learners
When knowledge construction goes awry: Addressing learners’ misconceptions
Misconceptions • Beliefs inconsistent with accepted and well-validated explanation • world is flat (k-2) • plants “eat” soil, fertilizer (Grades 3-5) • division always leads to smaller number (Grades 9-12) • Individually, culturally constructed • Can inhibit new learning
Promoting Conceptual Change • Identify misconceptions before instruction begins • Look for, build on elements of truth in students’ existing understandings • Convince students that existing beliefs need revision • Motivate students to learn correct explanations • Preserve students’ self-esteem; do not ridicule them for misunderstandings • Monitor students for persistent misconceptions
Factors Influencing Constructive Processes • Individual student knowledge • Student core beliefs • culture, religion • To encourage learning: • expose students to diverse perspectives • develop community of learners • accommodate students with special needs
The Big Picture • Learners construct knowledge on their own & in collaboration with others. • Learners integrate what they learn to make generalizations. • Learners’ constructions are sometimes productive and sometimes counterproductive.