2. Key Points
Learning is an active process
Knowledge is constructed rather than acquired
Personal experiences and opinions of environment
construct knowledge
The knowledge process is different for each individual
Learners bring past experiences and cultural factors to
all experiences
3. Constructivism
Theorists'
Vygotsky:
- social learning precedes development
- social interaction is a fundamental role in cognitive development
- The More Knowledgeable Other (MKO): anyone who has a higher
ability level than the learner
- learning occurs in the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD):
distance between a student performing a task independently or
with guidance
Piaget:
- knowledge is built through experience
- assimilation: incorporate new experiences into old experiences
- accommodation: reframing new experiences into the mental
capacity
- depending on age, students can or can not understand
- Four developmental stages are: sensorimotor, pre operations,
concrete operations, and formal operations
4. Constructivism
Theorists’ Con’t
Dewey:
- meaningful activities must make students apply concepts they
are learning
- active learner: student must use sensory input and construct a
meaning of it
- reflective activity: activities must engage hands and the mind
Vico:
- published a treatise on construction of knowledge
- coined the term “constructivist”
Bruner:
- categorization is key to learning, interpreting by similarities and
differences
- emphasizes the role of structure in learning
- readiness for learning: you can teach at any stage of development in a
way that fits the child’s cognitive abilities
- spiral curriculum: revisit basic concepts over and over again to reach
mastery
5. Teacher Role in
Constructivism
Teachers are facilitators who aid the student in their own
understanding
Continual conversation with students and asking questions is key
Having students work together and helping each other answer
questions is one strategy
Allow a couple students to be “technology experts” and have
them teach their peers on a certain technology
Students working in groups to research a topic
and then present to a class using technology
like a projector or interactive whiteboard
6. Student Role in
Constructivism
Students must come to their own conclusions while learning by
being challenged by the teacher
Students must cooperatively work with peers on group
assignments with and without technology
When using technology students must help “teach” peers and
answer questions
In group work students need to make their own understanding
and take responsibility for their individual learning
7. Personal Thoughts
I believe working hands on and learning from your
own mistakes is the best way to learn.
Group projects is a great way to build social and
cooperation skills
Peers teaching can be a great tool to explain things in
a different way
I plan to make my students active learners on
