Constructivist ViewConstructivist View

Jacqueline Sartain

Julia White

Definition

0Theories that state that learners must individually discover and transform complex information, checking new information against old rules, and revising rules when they no longer work.

History

0Draws on the work of Piaget & Vygotsky but most heavily on Vygotsky

0Instructional methods emphasize cooperative learning, project-based learning, and discovery

04 key principles derived from Vygotsky’s work

Social Nature of Learning

0First key principal0Learn with interactions0Cooperative projects

Math Project!

0Lets pretend you are in a 6th grade geometry class:0 What you know:0A=b2

0What we want to know:0How can we use this information to find the

surface area of a cube?0What we learned: 0Surface area of a cube is A=6b2

Zone of Proximal Development

0Second key principal

Cognitive Apprenticeship

0Third key principal0“The learner gradually acquires expertise

through interactions with an expert” (232).0Video

Mediated Learning

0Fourth key principal0The idea of giving students complex,

realistic tasks0Situated learning

Constructivist Approaches

0Top-Down Process0Cooperative Learning0Discovery Learning0Self Regulated Learning0Scaffolding0APA’s Learner-Centered Psychological

Principals

Top-down Learning

0Starts with the complex, complete tasks0On-the-spot training0Write a paper then learn the writing process0Figure 8.1 (p.234)

Cooperative Learning

0Using the constructivist theory to teach is primarily done through Cooperative Learning.0Cooperative learning allows

the students to work together to solve problems.

Discovery Learning

0Allow the students to make discoveries

“You can't teach people everything they need to know. The best you can do is position them where they can find what they need to know when they need to know it.” - Seymour Papert

Self Regulated Learning

0Self-regulated learner0Interested in learning itself not the grades0Effective learning strategies + motivation +

persistence = effective learners and lifelong motivation to learn

Scaffolding

0Mediated Learning0Be the tour guide0Provide structure in the

beginning and then begin to move that structure into the hands of the students.

APA’s Learner-Centered Psychological Principles

0Reinterpreting information and experience0Being self-motivated by knowledge0Working with others to socially construct meaning0Being aware of own learning strategies and of

applying them to new problems

Approaches in Subject Areas:Reading

0Reciprocal Reading0 Small Group with teacher0 Guide with questions, then move that task to the

students hands

0Question the Author0 What would you ask the author?

0Writing Process Models0 Small Groups 0 Work together through the entire writing process0 Expand their awareness of the writing process

Approaches in Subject Areas:Mathematics

0Provide a real world problem0Let students work together in groups to solve the

problem0 Reiterate what they know on the subject

0Provide scaffolding for struggling groups0Once they have reached a consensus, provide the

formal answer

Approaches in Subject Areas:Science

0Hands on discovery0Group work0Testing and revising until a solution has been found

Review

0Constructivist Learning puts the learning back into the hands of the students.

0Students use what they know to form a link to new information.

0Students learn best from working cooperatively.0Lessons should be within the Zone of Proximal

Development.0Students should make the discoveries.

Any Questions?

References0 Post, A. (n.d.). Printables.atoz. Retrieved from: http

://printables.atozteacherstuff.com/435/cube-pattern/

0 Culatta, R. (2012). Situated learning (J. Lave). Retrieved October, 2012, from http://www.instructionaldesign.org/theories/situated-learning.html

0 Shepherd, C. (2011, July). The scope of top-down learning. Retrieved October, 2012, from: http://onlignment.com/2011/07/the-scope-of-top-down-learning/

References (cont.)0Nmicky. (n.d.). Zone of proximal development. Retrieved October,

2012, from: http://withfriendship.com/images/e/24019/Zone-of-proximal-development-wallpaper.jpg

0RSA. (2010, October). RSA Animate - Changing Education Paradigms. Retrieved October, 2012, from: http://www.learningandteaching.info/learning/converge.htm

0 Clark, D. (2010, September). Discovery Learning. Retrieved October, 2012, from: http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/hrd/history/discovery.html

0 Slavin, Robert E. (2009). Educational Psychology Theory and Practice. R.R. Donelley, OH.