MODULE 14 ~ CONSTRUCTIVISMKnowledge Construction/ Concept Learning

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CONSTRUCTIVISM

VIEWS OFCONSTRUCTIVISM

CHARACTERISTICS OFCONSTRUCTIVISM ORGANIZING KNOWLEDGE

INDIVIDUAL CONSTRUCTIVISM

SOCIAL CONSTRUCTIVISM

CONSTRUCTIVISM• can be described as a theory that deals with the way

people create meaning of the world through a series of individual constructs.(Wikepedia) • It signifies that teaching involves giving opportunities

for learners to explore and discover. Learners construct their own meaning and generate insights.(textbook)

TWO VIEWS ON CONSTRUCTIVISM

• * also called cognitive constructivism• * indirect instruction• * largely based on Piaget’s Theory• * child-centered and discovery learning

• *based on Vygotsky’s theory• *conditions of knowledge is shared by two or more people• *social and interaction context

1. INDIVIDUAL CONSTRUCTIVISM

2. SOCIAL CONSTRUCTIVISM

CHARACTERISTICS OF CONSTRUCTIVISM

• Learners construct Understanding. They see learners who interpret new information based on what they already know.•New learning depends on current understanding. Background Information is very important.

According to Eggen and Kauchak, there are four characteristics of Constructivism.

• Learning is facilitated by social interaction. Learning communities help learners take responsibility for their own leaning. Teachers play as a facilitator rather than an expert one.•Meaningful learning occurs within authentic learning tasks. Involves learning activity that involves constructing knowledge and understanding needed when applied in the real world.

ORGANIZING KNOWLEDGE

CONCEPTS• A way of grouping or categorizing objects or events in

our mind. Includes: model, discuss, illustrate, explain, assist

Concepts as Feature ListInvolves learning specific features that characterize positive instance of the concept.

A. Defining Feature – characteristic present in ALL instances.• For example: Because ALL triangles should have three

sides. If doesn’t, then it is not a triangle.B. Correlation Feature – present in many positive

instances but not essential for concept relationship.• For example: a mother is loving, being loving is a feature

commonly present in the concept of mother. But a mother may not be loving.

Concepts as Prototypes• Prototype is an idea or a visual image of a typical

example. It is usually formed based on the positive instances that learners encounter most often. • Example: close your eyes now and for a moment think of a

cat.

• Exemplars represent a variety of examples. It allows learners to know that an example under a concept may have variability.• Example: A learner’s concept of vegetable may include a

wide variety of different examples like cauliflower, kangkong, cabbage, squash and so on.

Concepts as Exemplars

Make Concept-learning Effective• Provide a clear definition of the concept• Make the defining features very concrete and prominent• Give a variety of positive instances• Give negative instances• Give a “best example” or prototype• Provide opportunity for learners to identify positive and

negative instances• Ask learners to think of their own example of the concept• Point out how concepts can be related to each other

Schema is an organized body of knowledge about something. It is like a file of information you hold in your mind about something. Like a schema of what a teacher is.

Script is a schema that includes a series of predictable events of a specific activity. • Examples: knowing the series of steps done when we

visit a doctor

Applying Constructivism in Facilitating Learning

• Aim to make learners understand a few key ideas in an in-depth manner, rather than taking up so many topics superficially.

• Give varied examples.• Provide opportunities for experimentation.• Provide lots of opportunities for quality interaction.• Have lots on hands-on activities.• Relate your topic to real life situations• Do not depend on the explanation method all the time.

Group yourselves according to your major. Think of a topic related to your field of specialization. Indicate how you can

apply Constructivism for your students to construct their own understanding of the topic.