Constructivism

Sunny Science Seekers

Key People

• Jean Piaget

• Lev Vygotsky

• John Dewey

• Jerome Bruner

http://chatafrik.com/special/world-ideas/jean-piaget--men-of-ideas#.UuFHXXn0CmE

http://vygotsky.afraid.org/

http://www.biography.com/imported/images/Biography/Images/Profiles/D/John-Dewey-9273497-1-402.jpg

http://www.greenreport.it/_archivio2011/?page=default&id=%2011924

Key Points

• Learn by doing. (Shelly Cashman, 266)

• Based on a type of learning where one learns or creates ideas based on what he/she learns or comprehends. (Shelly Cashman, 266)

• Learning is an active process which means it is accomplished on the basis of experience. http://mennta.hi.is/starfsfolk/solrunb/construc.htm

• The learner is the center of the learning process. It has to do with language, real world situations, and interaction and collaboration. http://www.fountainmagazine.com/Issue/detail/CONSTRUCTIVISM-in-Piaget-and-Vygotsky

Teacher Implications

• Within the classroom, teachers focus on big ideas, beginning with a whole and expanding to include the parts. (http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/constructivism/)

• Teachers constantly ask their students how the activity has helped them gain understanding of the specific topic. (http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/constructivism/)

• Teachers should engage students by providing activities that guide students an create opportunities for discussion or for using the Socratic method of learning. (Shelly Cashman, 269

• Teachers can use web quests, scavenger and treasure hunts, curriculum resource pages, and many other education resources that help in the learning process (Shelly Cashman, 268)

Student Implications

• By having the students consistently ask questions, it enables students to broaden their knowledge. (http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/constructivism/

• Students engage in cognitive approaches such as questioning, predicting, summarizing, and clarifying (http://www.fountainmagazine.com/Issue/detail/CONSTRUCTIVISM-in-Piaget-and-Vygotsky)

• In the constructivist classroom, students are involved in the learning process by working in groups and being actively guided by the teacher in order to absorb and understand information as much as possible. Constructivist learning often includes the use of personal computers so that students can have access to numerous resources and tools to facilitate learning. It provides an active learning environment for students where they have various opportunities to work together and use different programs to aid in concept comprehension. Without technology, students have group assignments and engage in hands-on activities such as field trips, modeling, and presentations. (http://www.fountainmagazine.com/Issue/detail/CONSTRUCTIVISM-in-Piaget-and-Vygotsky)

My Own Teaching

• I plan on having students learn about topics and then giving them hands on projects so that they can actually learn about the topic and not just memorize terms.

• For example, if the lesson is about how chemicals react when put together, I would then conduct an in class project to let them test and see what happens when chemicals are mixed.

Constructivism Quiz

Ayla Arrebola

http://www.smscs.com/photo/mickey_mouse_computer_wallpaper/10.html#.UuQxQHn0CmE

Mousekatools (Instructions)

• This quiz consists of 4 multiple choice questions. Click on the best possible answer and you will be redirected to a slide. If you get the answer correct, click the arrow to move on to the next question. If you get the answer incorrect, click the arrow to be redirected back to the question. Good luck!

http://www.wallpaprz.com/mickey-mouse-clubhouse-wallpapers-hd-wallpapers-background/

Question #1

• Constructivism is a learning theory in which you learn by __________.

• A. Creating

• B. Doing

• C. Practicing

• D. Moving

A. Creating

B. Doing

C. Practicing

D. Moving

Question #2

• Which of these is NOT a key person/theorist in the constructivism theory?

• A. John Dewey

• B. Jerome Bruner

• C. John B. Watson

• D. Jean Piaget

A. John Dewey

B. Jerome Bruner

C. John B. Watson

D. Jean Piaget

Question #3

• Working in groups is part of the constructivism learning theory.

• A. True

• B. False

A. True

B. False

Question #4

• Learning is accomplished on the basis of

• A. Experience

• B. Memorization

• C. Reading

• D. Practice

A. Experience

B. Memorization

C. Reading

D. Practice

You’re Done!

http://animatedviews.com/2006/mickey-mouse-clubhouse-mickey-saves-santa/