CONSTRUCTIVIST PARADIGM:

Anna Hebb Ann Johnston &

Lisa Webb Faith Wilkerson

October 17, 2013 EDLP 711

Infinity

Learning Objective 1:

Students will be able to define and apply the concepts of the Constructivist

Paradigm.

Paradigm Goals:

Expanding Your Thinking:

You are chosen to create a public garden in an abandoned lot and teach

nearby residents how to grow and cultivate fruits and vegetables.

Because fresh produce is prohibitively expensive and of poor quality in the local grocery, it is assumed personal gardens could increase the amount

and quality of nutritional foods in the neighborhood.

Axiology

Evaluator is self aware of his/her values

Evaluator seeks to understand the values of participants

What is the influence of values on the research process?

Ontology

Multiple socially constructed realities

Reflection on experiences essential

Interaction with others critical; interactive dialogue

Reality revealed (hermeneutic process)

Epistemology

Researchers and participants interact

Dialogue is meaningful Knowledge is created through

reflection

Learning Objective 2:

Students will identify and apply four evaluation methods of the Constructivist Paradigm

Paradigm Goals:

Goal-Free Evaluation

Intended to be a bias-free evaluation method

Assists evaluator in identifying unintended consequences of a program

Can improve credibility of other evaluation findings

Case Study Evaluation

Great way to uncover hidden meanings within programs

Very clear in listing all steps leading up to final conclusions

Allows open communication to flow between researcher and client.

Connoisseurship Evaluation

Comes from evaluation of arts program

Appreciation Critique Phenomena

Responsive Evaluation

Begin study with observations Use observation data to prepare brief

reports Stakeholders are asked to discuss

Value of report Diversity of opinions that exist Accuracy and relevance

“Quantitative data is used to evoke discussions and to understand the world

behind the numbers.”

Wrap up Question:

Given what we discussed…

Would you change your thoughts about the “ologies” or keep them

the same?