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What is Constructivism?A view of learning based on the belief that
knowledge isn't a thing that can simply be given by the teacher at the front of students
Students learn by fitting new information together with what they already know
Learners are the builders and creators of meaning and knowledge
Knowledge is constructed by learners through an active, mental process of development
Our many thanks go out to…Jean Piaget, 1896-1980
Piaget believed learning occurs by an active construction of meaning, rather than by receiving it passively.
He states," when we, as learners, encounter an experience or situation that conflicts with our current way of thinking, a state of imbalance is created”
We must alter our thinking to restore equilibrium or balance
To do this, we must associate it with what we already know
The developing child must build cognitive structures through the use of …..
Mental maps Concept maps
Flow chart ,Problem solving ,classification
CHAIN RADICAL HIERARCHY
Mind maps help us begin with information we are familiar with and branch out to build new ideas.
SYSTEM CONCEPT MAP/ DATA FLOW DIAGRAM(Based on the procedure of the study undertaken)
Selection of the Sample School
Development of Concept maps for selected unit
Preparation of the achievement test
Sample selection
Achievement test (pre- test)
Evaluation of the Achievement test
Teaching students by using concept maps
Achievement test (post- test)
To further Piaget’s thinking....We must alter our thinking to restore
balance or equilibrium
To do this, we must associate it with what we already know
why constructivism is important?Fosters critical thinkingCreates active and motivated learnersStudents are able to learn through
constructing their own understandingsThis approach frees teachers to make
decisions which enhance and enrich student’s development.
ROLE OF TEACHER AND STUDENT
How does the constructivist teacher make this style work?
He/she is flexibleShe/he creatively incorporates on
going experiences with real-life situations
Students work in small groupsStudents work individuallyInteractive activities become main
focus (if materials can be related to an interest of the child, they are more appropriate to remember them)
IMPLEMENTATION IN CLASS
What does student-centered mean?The students are the center of
attention, not the teacherChildren are placed in groups, they
work together to find meaningEach student takes on a different
objective or part of the assignment or project
They become “experts” on their subject
What does student-centered mean?Students teach one another to become
experts on their “piece of the puzzle”Together, as a whole, the group becomes
experts from one anotherThe teacher = facilitator, guide on the
side NOT mentor in the middle
What about the constructivist classroom?"Students should be presented with real life problems and then helped to discover
information required to solve them" John Dewey As we now know, the environment is a
student-centered oneStudents are empowered by a teacher
who operates as a “guide on the side” vs. a “mentor in the center” or “sage on the stage”
Classrooms are structured so that learners are immersed in experiences with in which they may engage in meaningful………
InquiryActionImaginationInventionInteractionHypothesizingPersonal reflection
Important roles of the TeacherWatchingListeningAsking questions to learn about studentsHaving the ability to observe and listen to
one’s students and their experiences in the classroom contributes to his other ability to use a constructivist approach
A constructivist approach contributes to one’s ability to observe and listen in the classroom.
In conclusion… I believe in teaching through
constructivism because…1. Allows for students to become engaged
with one another2. Cuts out the “talking head”3. Children learn through own
experiences based on their lives4. Remember information down the road
of life instead of memorization
Resources Piaget, J. (1977). The development of thought: Equilibration of cognitive
structures. (A. Rosin, Trans). New York: The Viking Press. Rosenblatt, L. (1978). The reader, the text, the poem: The transactional
theory of the literary work. Carbondale, !!: Southern Illinois University Press.
Smith, K. (1993) Becoming the “guide” on the side. Educational Leadership, 51 (2), 35-37.
Zemelman, S., Daniels, H., & Hyde, A. (1993). Best practice: New standards for teaching and learning in America’s schools. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
Twomey Fosnot, C. (1989). Enquiring teachers, enquiring learners: A constructivist approach for teaching. New York: Teachers College Press.
McNeil, L. (1986). Contradictions of control: school structure and school knowledge. New York: Routledge.
Mezirow, J. and Associates. (1990). How critical reflection triggers transformative learning. In J. Mezirow and Associates (1990), Fostering critical reflection in adulthood: A guide to transformative and emancipatory learning. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers
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