2. What is constructivism?
 A theory of learning suggesting that learners can
create own knowledge of the topics they study
rather than receiving knowledge as transmitted to
them by other source.
 Constructivism adds to our learning.

3. Constructivism
•Focuses on individual,
internal constructions of
knowledge.Cognitive
•Learners first construct
knowledge in a social
context and then
individually internalized it.
Social

4. Social Constructivism
 Most of us had the experience of talking to another
person about an idea, with neither understanding it
completely.
 But as discussion continues, understanding for both
increases.
 Social constructivism has become the view most
influential in guiding the thinking of educational
leaders and teachers ( J. Martin, 2006 )

5. Different dimensions of
Social Constructivism
Sociocultural learning
theory
The classroom as a
community of learners
Cognitive apprenticeship Situation cognition
Social
constructivism

6. 1.Sociocultural learning
theory
 It is a form of social constructivism that emphasizes the social
dimensions of learning, but places greater emphasis on the
large cultural contexts which learning occurs.
 Eg: shrugging shoulders. In our cultural it communicates
uncertainty, but in some Ethiopian cultures, it is an integral part
of a courtship dance between young men and women.
 Culture also influences the language patterns that student
brings to school ( Cazden, 2002 ; Health, 1989)
 Eg: In some homes, children are not viewed as legitimate
partners on conversation while others, they are expected to
speak openly with adults.
 Hence when children comes to our classroom, they bring in
different views of acceptable behavior patterns.

7. 2.The classroom as a
community of learners
 A learning environment in which the teacher and all
the student work together to help everyone achieve.
 Our rules and procedures and the way we interact
with students can make classroom inviting and
cooperative or competitive or even frightening.

8. 2.The classroom as a
community of learners
 Some characteristics of a learning community:
 All students participate in learning activities.
 Teacher and student work together to help one another
to learn. ( promoting learning is not the teacher’s
responsibility alone)
 Student- Student interaction is an important part of
learning process.
 Teachers and students respect differences in interests,
thinking, and progress. All the students listened patiently
as their group mates offered solutions.

9. 3. Cognitive
apprenticeship
 The process of having less-skilled learner work at the side
of an expert to develop cognitive skills.
 It focus on developing mental abilities such as reading
comprehension, writing or problem solving.
 It usually include the following components:
1. Modeling 2. Scaffolding 3.Verbalisation
4. Increasing complexity 5. Exploration
 Research indicates that cognitive apprenticeship are
more effective than one way transmission of information
by teachers.

10. Situation cognition
 A theoretical position in social constructivism
suggesting that learning depends on, and cannot be
separated from , the context in which it occurs.
 It’s the ability to transfer understanding in one
context and apply it to another.