A Comparison and Contrast in Online Professional Development Compare and Contrast Presentation by Sazara Johnson and Katrina Joseph lynda.com icouldbe.org

Compare & Contrast Chart lynda.com Website Objectivist Environment icouldbe.org Website Constructivist Environment Reality (real world) External to the knower Structure determined by entities, properties, and relations Structure can be modeled Determined by the knower Dependent upon human mental activity Product of mind Symbolic procedures construct reality Structure relies on experiences/interpretations Mind Processor of symbols mirror of nature Abstract machine for manipulating symbols Builder of symbols Perceiver/interpreter of nature Conceptual system for constructing reality Thought Disembodied: independent of human experience Governed by external reality Reflects external reality Manipulates abstract symbols Represents (mirrors) reality Atomistic: decomposable into building blocks Algorithmic Classification What machines do Embodied: grows out of bodily experience Grounded in perception/construction Grows out of physical and social experience Imaginative: enables abstract thought More than representation (mirrors) of reality Gestalt properties Relies on ecological structure of conceptual system Building cognitive models More than machines are capable of Meaning Corresponds to entities and categories in the world Independent of the understanding of any organism External to the understander Does not rely on correspondence to world Dependent upon understanding Determined by understander Symbols Represent reality Internal representations of external reality ( building blocks ) Tools for constructing reality Representations of internal reality Table 1: Assumptions Inherent in Objectivism and Constructivism, Objectivism and Constructivism: Do We Need a New Philosophical Paradigm, Jonassen, David

Reality (real world) Objectivism 1.External to the knower 2.Structure determined by entities, properties, and relations 3.Structure can be modeled Software Training Online Library of Training Movies Learners are professionals seeking to improve their software skill sets Jonassen: --The important metaphysical position that objectivism makes is that the world is real, that it is structured, and that its structure can be modeled for the learner.

Reality (real world)

Constructivism 1.Determined by the knower 2.Dependent upon human mental activity 3.Product of mind 4.Symbolic procedures construct reality 5.Structure relies on experiences/interpretations Soft Skills Training Online Mentor to Mentee Environment (also Mentor to Mentor) Learners are junior high and high school students Some learners must complete the tasks as part of a class assignment Elizabeth Murphy: --Student-directed Goals --Learner Control --Multiple Perspectives (yl/Sm) --Alternative Viewpoints

Reality (real world)

Features: Murphys Problem-Solving and Case-based Curriculum Reality (real world)

Mind Objectivism 1. Processor of symbols 2. Mirror of nature 3. Abstract machine for manipulating symbols Learners view step-by-step procedures narrated by trainers Learners control the pace of their learning Jonassen: --The epistemology of objectivism holds that the purpose of the mind is to mirror that reality and its structure.

Mind Constructivism 1. Builder of symbols 2. Perceiver/interpreter of nature 3. Conceptual system for constructing reality Learners are guided through a curriculum designed to prepared them for their chosen profession Learners must accomplish tasks in order to advance Murphy: AUTHENTIC ACTIVITIES KNOWLEDGE CONSTRUCTION

Thought Objectivism 1. Disembodied: independent of human experience 2. Governed by external reality 3. Reflects external reality 4. Manipulates abstract symbols 5. Represents (mirrors) reality 6. Atomistic: decomposable into building blocks 7. Algorithmic 8. Classification - What machines do Learners mirror the movies using exercise files A short video at the beginning introduces the learner to the trainer followed by the instruction

Thought 1. Embodied: grows out of bodily experience 2. Grounded in perception/construction 3. Grows out of physical and social experience 4. Imaginative: enables abstract thought 5. More than representation (mirrors) of reality 6. Gestalt properties 7. Relies on ecological structure of conceptual system 8. Building cognitive models 9. More than machines are capable of Learners communicate with mentors who are experts in their fields Learners ask questions and share experiences Mentors provide scaffolding Constructivism MURPHY: --Previous Knowledge Constructions --Consideration of Errors Jonassen: THOUGHT --Grows out of physical and social experience --Imaginative: enables abstract thought --Grows out of bodily experience COMPLEX THINKING (Design of CLEs)

Meaning Objectivism Corresponds to entities and categories in the world Independent of the understanding of any organism External to the understander Meaning has been constructed by the software developers Learners know they have mastered the software training when they can perform the same tasks without guidance

Meaning 1. Does not rely on correspondence to world 2. Dependent upon understanding 3. Determined by understander Meaning is constructed by the learners Learners share their thoughts and experiences through and on discussion boards Feedback is given by the mentors Constructivism

Symbols Objectivism 1. Represent reality 2. Internal representations of external reality (building blocks) Real problems are addressed in each movie Learners can view a list of all of the movies he/she has viewed Learners can use the movies for quick reference

Symbols 1. Tools for constructing reality 2. Representations of internal reality Mentors and mentees post profile pages to introduce themselves (i.e. interests, hobbies, photos) The online environment is enhanced with a 3D avatar to guide the learner Learners have access to training movies, , and discussion boards Constructivism

References Dabbagh, Nada What is Authentic Learning September 25, 2007 from Advanced Instructional Design Class: Edit 732 Jonassen, David H "Objectivism versus Constructivism: Do we Need a New Philosophical Paradigm?" Educational Technology Research Development 39 (1991) 5-14 Jonassen, David H Welcome to the Design of Constructivist Learning Environments Retrieved October 2007 (1-3) Murphy, Elizabeth "Constructivist Checklist" Retrieved September 24,2007 from Website: lynda.com – Website: icouldbe.org –