Post on 28-Dec-2015
Constructivism…an Educational Theory
Fadra Hepner
Education 310
Constructivism
• What is it?
• What does it have to tell us?
• How can we apply it to our work?
During the 1930’s and 40’s, Constructivism was the leading view of Public school educators in the U.S.
• Nothing terribly new about it!
• Many basic beliefs stated by Dewey among others
• Comprised primarily of the research by:
Jean Piaget
Lev Vigotsky
Jerome BrunerBut first…...
Constructivism..What is it?
• An educational theory that places emphasis on the learner
• Teacher’s role: Act as a facilitator
• Based on the idea that All knowledge is CONSTRUCTED based on previous experiences
But what does this mean?
• In order to understand something, we MUST be able to relate it to something else
• If at all possible, APPLY this knowledge during the lesson to foster concrete connections
• Differs from traditional view; the mind is a blank tablet
Instead, Constructivism views knowledge as “assimilated” into existing schema
• Idea largely based on Swiss Biologist Jean Piaget’s research on child development & learning
• Piaget’s theory states that children learn by creating “mental maps” or schemes
• These maps or schemes are added to and adapted as needed to help them understand their environment
• Structure becomes more complex as child develops
4 Developmental stages according to Piaget
• 1. Sensory motor stage (birth-2 yrs)-through physical interaction with environment, child
develops set of concepts about reality & how it works
-stage where child is unaware that if an object is not seen it still exists (object permanence)
2. Preoperational stage (2-7)
• Child needs concrete physical situations and is unable to conceptualize in the abstract
-needs to see, hear, feel in order to understand something
3. Concrete operations (7-11)
• Child begins to conceptualize based on physical experiences
-creates logical structures to explain his/her environment
-abstract problem solving possible
Example: math with #’s, not objects
4. Formal operations (12+)
• Cognitive structures are like an adult and include conceptual reasoning
-Piaget classified as a “cognitive constructivist” focusing on processes of the mind and its effects on learning
Lev Vigotsky
• Russian psychologist & philosopher in 1930’s usually associated with Social Constructivism
• Social Constructivism emphasized the effects of one’s environment (family, friends, culture & background) have on learning
• Today, Co-Constructivism Seems to prevail, incorporating Cognitive and Social aspects
Modern Constructivism!!!
• Jerome Bruner most recent contributor
• 1966-1990 Has incorporated social and cognitive aspects
• These ideas originated from a conference for math and science learning
Jerome Bruner
3 Principles of Constructivism:
• Instruction must be concerned with experiences and contexts that make students willing & able to learn (readiness)
• Must be structured so it is easily grasped (spiral organization)
• Should be designed to facilitate extrapolation or “fill in the gaps” (going beyond information given)
The five E’s:
• Engage- do this! Engage the students and get them interested in learning
Ex: ask a question, define a problem, surprise them, use problematic situations
TWO VOLUNTEERS PLEASE!
Explore
• Get the students directly involved in the material
• Have them work in teams
• Act as a facilitator• Use their inquiry to
drive the process
Explain
• Explanations come from:
-Students working together-Teacher introducing concepts and vocabulary for
experiences Example: magnets-attracting force
• This is also the time for the teacher to determine levels of understanding and clarify misconceptions
• Drawing, writing and video are great tools to help the teacher assess development and growth
Elaborate
• Students expand on concepts learned
• Make connections
• Apply understandings to own environment & world around them
• These connections lead to further inquiry & new understandings
Evaluate
• On-going diagnostic process• Can occur at all points of the instructional
process-Examples: rubrics, teacher observation, student interviews,
portfolios, project & problem based learning products, etc.
• Used to guide teacher in further planning of lessons
• May also be utilized by the students; Ex: Feedback Fridays
To summarize:
• Learning is active• Engage the students on their own cognitive level• Make it interesting!• Work in groups• Act as a facilitator, not a record player• Make learning cyclical. They should have more
questions when the lesson is over!
Bibliography!!!!!
• http://www.miamisci.org/ph/lpintro5e.html
• http://www.funderstanding.com/piaget.cfm
• http://web.psych.ualberta.ca/~mike/Pearl_Street/Dictionary/contents/P/piaget’s_stages.html
• http://pdts.uh.edu/~srmehall/theory/social.html
• http://www.artsined.com/teachingarts/Pedag/Constructivist.html