A Comparison and Contrast in

Online Professional Development

Compare and Contrast Presentation by Sazara Johnson and Katrina Joseph

lynda.com icouldbe.org

Compare & Contrast Chart

lynda.com Website Objectivist Environment

icouldbe.org Website Constructivist Environment

Reality (real world)

External to the knowerStructure determined by entities,properties, and relationsStructure can be modeled

Determined by the knowerDependent upon human mental activityProduct of mindSymbolic procedures construct realityStructure relies onexperiences/interpretations

Mind Processor of symbolsmirror of natureAbstract machine for manipulatingsymbols

Builder of symbolsPerceiver/interpreter of natureConceptual system for constructingreality

Thought Disembodied: independent of human experienceGoverned by external realityReflects external realityManipulates abstract symbolsRepresents (mirrors) realityAtomistic: decomposable into“building blocks’AlgorithmicClassificationWhat machines do

Embodied: grows out of bodilyexperienceGrounded in perception/constructionGrows out of physical and socialexperienceImaginative: enables abstract thoughtMore than representation (mirrors) of realityGestalt propertiesRelies on ecological structure ofconceptual systemBuilding cognitive modelsMore than machines are capable of

Meaning Corresponds to entities and categories in the worldIndependent of the understanding ofany organismExternal to the understander

Does not rely on correspondence to worldDependent upon understandingDetermined by understander

Symbols Represent realityInternal representations of externalreality (“building blocks”)

Tools for constructing realityRepresentations of internal reality

Table 1: Assumptions Inherent in Objectivism and Constructivism, “Objectivism and Constructivism: Do We Need a New Philosophical Paradigm,” Jonassen, David

Reality (real world)

Objectivism1. External to the knower2. Structure determined by entities, properties, and relations3. Structure can be modeled

• Software Training• Online Library of Training Movies• Learners are professionals seeking to improve their software skill sets

Jonassen:--The important metaphysical position that objectivism makes is that the world is real, that it is structured, and that its structure can be modeled for the learner.

Reality (real world)

Reality (real world)

Reality (real world)

Reality (real world)

Reality (real world)

Constructivism1. Determined by the knower2. Dependent upon human mental activity3. Product of mind4. Symbolic procedures construct reality5. Structure relies on experiences/interpretations

• Soft Skills Training• Online Mentor to Mentee Environment (also Mentor to Mentor)• Learners are junior high and high school students • Some learners must complete the tasks as part of a class assignment

Elizabeth Murphy:--Student-directed Goals--Learner Control--Multiple Perspectives (yl/Sm)--Alternative Viewpoints

Reality (real world)

Reality (real world)

Reality (real world)

Reality (real world)

Reality (real world)

Features:Murphy’s Problem-Solving and Case-based Curriculum

Reality (real world)

Mind

Objectivism1. Processor of symbols 2. Mirror of nature3. Abstract machine for manipulating symbols

• Learners view step-by-step procedures narrated by trainers• Learners control the pace of their learning

Jonassen:--The epistemology of objectivism holds that the purpose of the mind is to mirror that reality and its structure.

Mind

Constructivism1. Builder of symbols2. Perceiver/interpreter of nature3. Conceptual system for constructing reality

• Learners are guided through a curriculum designed to prepared them for their chosen profession• Learners must accomplish tasks in order to advance

Murphy:AUTHENTIC ACTIVITIES

KNOWLEDGE CONSTRUCTION

Thought

Objectivism1. Disembodied: independent of human experience2. Governed by external reality3. Reflects external reality4. Manipulates abstract symbols5. Represents (mirrors) reality6. Atomistic: decomposable into “building blocks’7. Algorithmic8. Classification - What machines do

• Learners mirror the movies using exercise files• A short video at the beginning introduces the learner to the trainer followed by the instruction

Thought

1. Embodied: grows out of bodily experience2. Grounded in perception/construction3. Grows out of physical and social experience4. Imaginative: enables abstract thought5. More than representation (mirrors) of reality6. Gestalt properties7. Relies on ecological structure of conceptual system8. Building cognitive models9. More than machines are capable of

Learners communicate with mentors who are experts in their fields Learners ask questions and share experiences Mentors provide scaffolding

Constructivism

MURPHY:--Previous Knowledge Constructions --Consideration of Errors

Jonassen:THOUGHT--Grows out of physical and social experience--Imaginative: enables abstract thought--Grows out of bodily experienceCOMPLEX THINKING (Design of CLEs)

Meaning

Objectivism• Corresponds to entities and categories in the world• Independent of the understanding of any organism• External to the understander

• Meaning has been constructed by the software developers• Learners know they have mastered the software training when they can perform the same tasks without guidance

Meaning

1. Does not rely on correspondence to world2. Dependent upon understanding3. Determined by understander

Meaning is constructed by the learners Learners share their thoughts and experiences through email and on discussion boards Feedback is given by the mentors

Constructivism

Symbols

Objectivism1. Represent reality2. Internal representations of external reality (“building blocks”)

• Real problems are addressed in each movie• Learners can view a list of all of the movies he/she has viewed• Learners can use the movies for quick reference

Symbols

1. Tools for constructing reality2. Representations of internal reality

Mentors and mentees post profile pages to introduce themselves (i.e. interests, hobbies, photos) The online environment is enhanced with a 3D avatar to guide the learner Learners have access to training movies, email, and discussion boards

Constructivism

References

Dabbagh, Nada “What is Authentic Learning” September 25, 2007from Advanced Instructional Design Class: Edit 732

Jonassen, David H "Objectivism versus Constructivism: Do we Need a New Philosophical Paradigm?" Educational Technology Research Development 39 (1991) 5-14

Jonassen, David H “Welcome to the Design of Constructivist Learning Environments”Retrieved October 2007 (1-3)

Murphy, Elizabeth "Constructivist Checklist" Retrieved September 24,2007 from http://www.stemnet.nf.ca/%7Eelmurphy/emurphy/cle4.html

Website: lynda.com – http://www.lynda.com/

Website: icouldbe.org – http://icouldbe.org/