Constructivist Learning and Teaching Instruction

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Constructivist Learning andTeaching Instruction

• Presented By
• Shelina S. Jones
• April 06, 2006

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What is Constructivism?

• Constructivism is an approach to teaching based
  on research about how individuals learn.

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Constructivism

• It encompasses the idea that people construct
  their own understanding and knowledge of the
  world through experiencing various things and
  reflecting upon those experiences.

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Constructivist Learning

• Based on the idea that students learn best
  through
• EXPLORATION
• ACTIVE LEARNING

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Constructivism (Classroom Setting)

• In a classroom setting, the constructivist belief
  of learning can consist of a variety of different
  teaching practices.

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David H. Jonassen

• (Jonassen, 1991) has isolated several
• Create real world environments that employ the
  context in which learning is relevant.
• Focus on realistic approaches to solving
  real-world problems.
• The instructor is a coach and a analyzer of the
  strategies used to solve these problems.

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• 4. Evaluation should serve as a self-analysis
  tool.
• 5. Instructional goals and objectives should be
  negotiated and not imposed.
• 6. Learning should be internally controlled and
  mediated by the learner.

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Constructivist Instructors

• Constructivist instructors encourage students to
  evaluate how the activity is helping them gain
  understanding.

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Application of Constructivist Instruction(Science
Class)

• Role of Teacher-Focus on helping students restate
  their questions in constructive ways.
• Allow students to reflect on and examine his/her
  current knowledge.
• Once a student has come up with the applicable
  concept, the teacher grasps their idea, and point
  out an avenue for them to explore.
• Students design and perform related experiments.
• Afterward, the students and teacher discuss what
  they have learned.

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GOAL ACCOMPLISHED!!!!!

• Students are ACTIVELY involved, rather than
  simply PASSIVE listeners.

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Constructivism vs. Behaviorism

• Unlike behaviorism, constructivism takes a more
  cognitive approach.

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Conclusion

• Overall, constructivism allows students to gain
  ownership of what they learn. It engages the
  students initiatives and personal investments in
  their journals, research papers, physical models,
  as well as artistic representations.

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References

• Descy, D., Forcier, R. (2005). The computer as
  an educational tool. 4th ed. Upper Saddle River,
  NJ Pearson Prentice Hall.
• Gergen, K. (1995). Social construction and the
  educational process. In L. Steffe J. Gale
  (Eds.). Constructivism in education, (pp.17-39).
  New Jersey Lawrence Erlbaum Associates,Inc.
• Jonassen, D. (1991). Objectivism vs.
  Constructivism. Educational Technology Research
  and Development, 39(3), 5-14.
• n.d.). Retrieved March 26, 2006, from
  Funderstanding-Constructivism Web site
• http//funderstanding.com/constructivism.cfm.