1. Constructivism
IP&T 301
Suzy Cox

2. Visual Metaphor for Learning
Do you agree with this?

3. Definition of Learning
Learning is an active process in which learners construct their own meaning based on prior knowledge and experience.

4. Roots of Constructivism
Piaget
Vygotsky

5. Types of Constructivism
Individual Constructivism
Social Constructivism

6. Role of Prior Knowledge

7. Prior Knowledge Schemas Scripts Personal theories Interpretations
Draw a house!
Scripts
Personal theories
Interpretations

8. Houses

9. Top-down v. Bottom-up

10. Conceptual Change
Easy or difficult? Why?
Example

11. Promoting Change
1. Identify existing misconceptions before instruction begins.
2. Convince students that their existing beliefs are inadequate.
3. Motivate students to learn correct explanations.
4. Monitor what students say and write for persistent misconceptions.

12. Discovery Learning
Video

13. Authentic Activities

14. Jerome Bruner
To instruct someone... is not a matter of getting him to commit results to mind. Rather, it is to teach him to participate in the process that makes possible the establishment of knowledge. We teach a subject not to produce little living libraries on that subject, but rather to get a student to think mathematically for himself, to consider matters as an historian does, to take part in the process of knowledge-getting. Knowing is a process not a product.

15. Process of Education
Structure
Readiness
Intuition
Motivation

16. Readiness

17. How?

18. Implications
Children should be provided with study materials, activities, and tools that are matched to and capitalize on their developing cognitive capabilities
Incorporate all three methods into instruction where possible.

19. Implications Present others’ ideas Emphasize conceptual understanding
Promote dialogue
Create a community of learners

20. The 5 Es
Engage
Explore
Explain
Elaborate
Evaluate

21. Assignments Read Ch. 10 (pg. 332-361) Reading Quiz #5
Extra Credit: Project-based Learning
Theory Presentation – Albert Bandura