1. The Challenges of Implementing Constructivism and How to Address Them Dr. James Pelech jpelech@ben.edu

2. Challenge One: Constructivism is a Complicated Philosophy  It is a philosophy of how one learns  It does not tell us how to teach  What to do?

3. Challenge One Solution : Start Your Own Library  In Search of Understanding: The Case for Constructivist Classrooms.  Jacqueline Grennon Brooks and Martin Brooks

4. Challenge One Solution : Start Your Own Library  Applying Standards Based Constructivism  Don Mesibov  Any book by Paul Vermette

5. Challenge One Solution : Start Your Own Library  The Comprehensive Handbook of Constructivist Teaching: From Theory to Practice  James Pelech  Information Age Publishing

6. Challenge One Solution : Start Your Own Library  Constructivism: Theory, Perspectives, and Practice  2 nd edition  Cathy Fosnot (Has many books on teaching mathematics)

7. Challenge One Solution : Start Your Own Library  Web Sites: Institute for Learning Centered Education.  www.Learning Centered.org http://www.learningcentered.org http://www.learningcentered.org  About us; Resources; Blog; Links; Conferenc e

8. Challenge One Solution : Start Your Own Library  Association for Constructivist Teaching  www.constructivistassociation.org www.constructivistassociation.org

9. Challenge One Solution : Start Your Own Library  Brain-Based Learning  Constructivism aligns with brain-based learning  Books on Brain-Based Learning

10. Challenge One Solution : Start Your Own Library  How the Brain Learns. David Sousa  Teaching With the Brain in Mind. 2 nd edition. Eric Jensen  Research-Based Strategies to Ignite Student Learning: Insights from a Neurologists and Classroom Teacher. Judith Willis

11. Challenge Two: How to Start?  Start Slow  One Constructivist characteristic  Autonomy- The most important  Authentic Products  Make connections  Rattling their Cage

12. Challenge Three: Student Autonomy  They must understand:  Multiple answers -expected  Change opinion-OK  Normal procedure is discussion

13. Addressing Challenge Three: Some ideas  Discuss this with students  Start slow  Think of ways to have students be autonomous  How can I assess this?#

14. Assessing My Constructivist Teaching- Challenge Three  Personal Journal – More than a summary#  Video Record class  Compare Journal with video  Peer observation  Student work

15. Addressing Challenge Four: Personal JournalPrompts  Who is doing the talking?  What Level of Bloom’s Taxonomy?  Are they comparing/ contrasting?  Are they reorganizing their thoughts?  Outcomes? Create something?

16. Addressing Challenge Four: Work with a Colleague/ Peer Observation  Choose a Colleague  Same Prompts  Plus: What surprised colleague  Plus: Continue to use

17. Addressing Challenge Four: Work with a Colleague  Compare notes  Your journal ----Colleague notes*

18. Challenge Five: Getting Support From Administration, Community and Parents  Discuss with administrator  Local newspapers  School Parent Newsletter  Web Site

19. Challenge 5: What to Put in Media Platforms/Administrator  Definition of Constructivism  How it Aligns with Brain-Based Learning  Aligns with 21 st Century Thinking Skills#  Student Work and School’s Test Scores#

20. 21 ST Century Skills: Resources/ Books  21 st Century Thinking Skills. Trilling and Fadel 2014  Teaching the 4C’s with Technology: How Do I Use 21 st Century Tools to Teach 21 st Century Skills. Budhai and McLaughlin Taddel 2015  Partnership for 21 st Century Learning. www.p21.org

21. Challenge 6: Test Scores  Illinois –teacher and principal evaluation  25% 33%

22. Challenge 6 : Test Scores  Influence of Constructivism in Teaching on Academic Achievement of Primary Students. Journal of Education ad Research for Sustainable Development. 2013  Primary students

23. Challenge 6: Test Scores  Effectiveness of Constructivist Teaching on Students’ Academic Achievement. Aydisheh And Gharbi. 2015. Third grade Students.  Constructivist Teaching and Student Achievement. Washington Research Center. 2003. Abbots and Fouts

24. Challenge 6: Test Scores  The Effects of Constructivist Learning Activities on Trainee Teachers 'Academic Achievement and Attitudes. World Applied Science Journal. 2008  Author: Aguz  Teacher Trainees

25. Challenge 6: Test Scores  Using Constructivist Teaching Strategies to Enhance Academic Outcomes of Students with Special Needs.  Universal Journal of Educational Research.  2016

26. Challenge 6: Test Scores  Effect of Constructivist-Based Teaching Strategy on Academic Performance of Students in Integrated Science at Junior Secondary School Level.  Educational Research and Reviews.  2010 Nigeria

27. Not the End…Just the Beginning  Your plan  One thing  Comments/questions