CONSTRUCTIVISM About 13 min

About Constructivism Knowledge is constructed, not acquired More of an approach (combination of theoretical principles) than a specified theory Also consistent with ideas of generative learning, embodied cognition, postmodernism

Nature vs. Nurture Debate, Revisited SCIENC E Social Factors SOCIAL CONSTRUCTIONS OF KNOWLEDGE NATURE TO

TypeHow Knowledge is Defined OriginsWhat it looks like Personal Constructivism By the individualPiagetTeacher helps individual shape his own thought Radical Constructivism By societal consensusPhilosophyTeacher sets up activities to help groups reach consensus Social Constructivism Knowledge is product of processes and context used to construct it Vygotsky, BrunerTeacher sets up socially oriented activities in which students co-construct knowledge Emergent Constructivism By both individual and society Vygotsky, BrunerDiscovery learning Aphilosophical Constructivism Take your pick….All of the above and then some Whatever you want but basically very student- centered

“Mainstream” Social Constructivist Origins Reaction to: – objectivist, positivist view – metaphor of mind as a computer processor –worries over decontextualization of knowledge Vygotsky’s writings about role of culture and history in knowledge and learning