Discovery Learning: Jerome Bruner

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Discovery Learning Jerome Bruner

• By
• Lascelles Hurd
• Niki Michalitsianos

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Discovery Learning

• During learning the student discovers key
  principles vital to the learning process for him
  or herself rather than accepting the viewpoint of
  the teacher.

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Theories

• Constructivist
• Believes that knowledge is gained through
  experiences, not necessarily through direct
  instruction.
• Categorization
• Believes that objects are grouped. These groups
  are combined based on similarities and
  differences. Essential for the decision making
  process.

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Theories (Continued)

• Modes of thought
• Narrative mode engages the mind in sequential,
  patterned, and detailed deliberation.
• Scaffolding is a method used that includes the
  utilization of clues, reminders, and
  encouragement designed to encourage independent
  thinking.

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Applications

• Intuitive thinking
• Students develop ideas and principles on their
  own through the usage of examples.
• Example Given a pen, pencil, and a marker, which
  one is used more often?
• The students guess their answers, then resort to
  research to determine whether or not their
  guesses were accurate.

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Applications (Contd)

• Guided discovery
• Form of discovery learning in which the teacher
  provides limited direction.
• Example Students ask thought provoking questions
  of the teacher. Rather than just giving answers,
  the teacher provides materials and resources to
  encourage students to seek the answers
  themselves.

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Contributions

• Books
• Towards a Theory of Instruction (1966)
• Actual Minds, Possible Worlds (1986)
• Acts of Meaning (1990)
• The Culture of Education (1996)

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Technology in Discovery Learning

• In technology, the internet is an excellent
  resource for discovery learning. For example,
  there are two websites that encourage this type
  of learning
• www.aaamath.com
• www.eduplace.com/kids/
• http//cte.jhu.edu/techacademy/
• http//webquest.sdsu.edu/

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Technology in Discovery Learning (Contd)

• Computer based software programs
• Become A History of Explorer The program
  encourages children to explore several exciting
  periods in history through games, quizzes, and
  information screens. It provides high level
  thinking and taps into students multiple
  intelligences.

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Bibliography

• Woolfolk, Anita. Educational Psychology. Pearson
  Boston, 2004.
• Wikipedia Encyclopedia. Jerome Bruner. 2006.
  http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerome_Bruner