PACT

CONSTRUCTIVIST THEORY OF LEARNING

WHAT IS THE CONSTRUCTIVIST LEARNING THEORY?

Constructivist learning theory is a collection of sub theories which support the concept that Learners are not a “blank slate” or tabula rasa, as stated in previous theories. Learners are active participants who construct learning by building on previous experiences and knowledge. Each learner will construct learning according to individual experiences, previous knowledge and stage of cognitive development.

Jean Piaget

Swiss Psychologist 1896-1980

“The principle goal of education is to create men who are capable of doing new things, not simply of repeating what other generations have done-men who are creative, inventive and discovers”

PRIMARY THEORIES

•Cognitive Learning Theory

• Sensorimotor Stage (birth-2) senses, actions

• Preoperational stage (age 2-7) Symbols, language, play

• Concrete operational (age 7-12) Classification, Reason

• Formal operational (12-Adult)• Comparative Reasoning, Deductive

Reasoning, Abstract Thinking

What is the students role?

Student will acquire knowledge through:

Supervised projectsIndependent study and researchInteractive playProblem solvingGroup participation

Lev Vygotsky

"Learning is more than the acquisition of the ability to think; it is the acquisition of many specialised abilities for thinking about a variety of things." - Lev Vygotsky, Mind in Society, 1978

Russian Educational Psychologist 1896-1934

Primary Theories

•Zone of Proximal Development• The area where a student can perform

with assistance but not independently.

•Social Development1. Gestures2. Language3. Social interaction

•Collaborative LearningWorking with advanced students and adults facilitates learning

ZONE OF PROXIMAL DEVELOPMENT

UNDEVELZDZDP

INDEPENDENCE

ZPD

UNREACHED

What is the teacher’s role?

Facilitate independent learning by:

Progressive lessonsAge appropriate activitiesManipulativesIncorporate technologyAddress the whole child

John Dewey

PRIMARY THEORIES

PROGRESSIVE EDUCATIONHOLISTICSOCIALMENTALPHYSICAL

PRAGMATISMTHEORY IS ONLY TRUE IF IT WORKSVALUABLE ONLY IF APPLICABLE

American Educational Psychologist 1859-1952

“Education is a social process. Education is growth. Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.”

Jerome Bruner

American Psychologist and Teacher 1915-

PRIMARY THEORIES

“The shrewd guess, the fertile hypothesis, the courageous leap to a tentative conclusion – these are the most valuable coins of the thinker at work. But in most schools guessing is heavily penalized and is associated somehow with laziness.”

•Cognition

•Socratic Method• Discussion • Debate• Analysis

•Spiral Curriculum• Knowledge builds on

experience

Constructivist Theory in my classroom

My most comfortable teaching style is that of Facilitator. This is highly compatible with Constructivist Theory. I will plan to use many in class projects, demonstrations, and activities in my classroom. Progressive and spiral lesson plans will frequently be used to encourage students toward knowledge.

CITATIONS

http://www.piaget.org/aboutPiaget.html http://web.lemoyne.edu/~hevern/narpsych/nr-theorists/bruner_jerome_s.html http://www.infed.org/thinkers/bruner.htm http://psychology.about.com/od/profilesmz/p/vygotsky.htm http://www.learning-theories.com/vygotskys-social-learning-theory.html http://www.notablebiographies.com/De-Du/Dewey-John.html http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/johndewey154052.html http://www.flickr.com/photos/32604684@N08/3361059606/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/ebolasmallpox/1066368855/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/brizzlebornandbred/4019608516/ Cashman, Shelly. Teachers Discovering Computers Integrating Technology and

Digital Media in the Classroom. Boston: Course Technology, 2010