Constructivism

Team 3

What is Constructivism?Learning Theory

Learning is active and constructive

Learner builds on previous knowledge

People are actively making associations in order to be objective in learning.

New learning is compared to prior knowledge

Important Contributors to Constructivism: Piaget Vygotsky Dewey Vico Rorty Bruner

Information found at: http://www.learning-theories.com/constructivism.html

Jean Piaget

Born in Switzerland Believed children

thought differently than adults and constructed knew knowledge while moving through different cognitive stages.

Studied his children

http://www.findingdulcinea.com/docroot/dulcinea/fd_images/features/profiles/p/jean-piaget/features/0/image.jpg

http://www.sciencephoto.com/image/227740/530wm/H4160274-Jean_Piaget-SPL.jpg

Jean Piaget

Jean Piaget defined himself as a 'genetic' epistemologist, interested in the process of the qualitative development of knowledge.

he intended to explain knowledge development as a process of equilibration using two main concepts in his theory, assimilation and accommodation, as belonging not only to biological interactions but also to cognitive ones.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Piaget

Cognitive Stages Sensorimotor- This stage

consists of learning through motor and sensory activities

through imitation for ages birth to 2 years old.

Preoperational- The next stage consists of learning

through drawing, role playing, and communication for children

two to seven years old.(Information found in book pg.377)

Genie Kelleher

Concrete Operational- As children

continue to grow they begin problem solving, logical reasoning and start abstract thinking through classification for ages six to twelve.

Formal Operational- At this stage children learn by abstract thinking, experimenting hypothesis with comparative reasoning for ages eleven to adulthood.

Cognitive Stages

Lev Vygotsky

Russian educational psychologist

Developer of social cognition

Believed that social interactions play a key role in child development Vocalizations lead to,

Language, which leads to, Gestures, which leads to, Social Skills

Collaborative learning helps develop cognitive skills students need to find solutions to problems on their own

Picture from: http://gsi.berkeley.edu/teachingguide/theories/social.html

Information from: textbook page 379-381

John Dewey Major reformer of American

Education, during the Progressive Education Movement of the 1900s

Educational psychologist, philosopher, advocate for child-centered instruction

Created the Laboratory School or “Dewey School” in 1896 Students working

together playing an active role in their education

He believed learning should be student directed and teachers should help students discover resources. Allow students to

construct, create, and actively inquire in order to prepare them to function in societyPicture: http://www.notablebiographies.com/De-Du/Dewey-John.html

Information from: textbook page 381-382

What Does Constructivism Mean for Students and Teachers?

Teacher is not the expert, but the facilitator or consultant to

knowledge. Encourage and facilitate the autonomy and initiative of

students Read in to responses and reactions of students when

different materials are used. Asses and inquire about students prior knowledge base and

experience on subjects being taught. Facilitate and encourage students ideas and views on topics Create a Democratic and interactive classroom. Use the computer and internet for interactive games,

illustrations, and other raw materials

Teacher Instruction and Constructivism

Give them opportunities to evaluate themselves Students are seated in small groups with 4-5 desks

together Students are encourage to discuss topics within their

group and question each other Students identify themselves and their experiences in the

activities or learning material Students have access to computer labs for research and

interactive lesson plans and may work in partners Students will feel their viewpoints are valid and

encourage to communicate with the teacher and other students

The Student and Constructivism

Personal thought

Based on the studies preformed by these men, this theory seems to be the one that works the best. It helps the teacher understand where the student is at cognitively and directs the teacher on the best actions for teaching the student.