Basic Assumptions of Constructivism

Knowledge is actively constructed by the learner

-Individuals construct new ideas or concepts based on prior knowledge and/or experiences

Piaget
-The first to state that learning is a developmental cognitive process
-Recognized that students construct knowledge based on their expierences.
Schema: set of ideas or actions which go together
Assimilation: Taking in information into our previously existing schemas
Accommodation: Involves altering existing ideas or schemas as a result of new information or
new experiences.
Equilibration: A Mechanism that assists children in achieving a balance between assimilation
and accommodation.
Formal Operational Stage
-Children enter the formal operational stage at 11 years of age
-The need for concrete examples is no longer necessary because abstract thinking can be used
instead.
Constructivism in Teaching and Learning
-Case studies
-Research projects
-Problem based learning
-Brainstorming
-Collaborative learning/group work
-Discovery learning
-Simulations
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Thursday Jan. 21st 2016
Social Constructivism
Vygotsky (Lev Vygotsky)
-Extended Piagets theory to include the notion of social-cultural cognition
-Proposed the concept of the zone of proximal development (ZPD)
-His work led to an emphasis on the use of cooperative learning in the classroom

Bruner (born 1915)

-Explored the notion that disciplines have core ideas that should guide cirriculum development
in a manner that connects to the development of the child
-Developed the concepts of instructional spiral curriculum
Zone of Proximal Development
-ZPD is the range of tasks that a learner can perform with help and guidance of others but
cannot yet perform independently
-Scaffolding is the support mechanism that helps a learner successfully perform a task within
his or her ZPD
Out of Reach }}}} Zone of Proximal Development}Learns through scaffolding}}}Current
Understanging}Can work unassisted
Social Constructivist Learning Environment
-Learning is not an individual process but involves a large social network
-Greater emphasis placed on learning through social interaction, and the value placed on
cultural background
-Collaborative learning is a process of peer interaction that is mediated and structured by the
teacher
-Discussion can be promoted by the presentation of specific concepts, problems, or scenarios.

Social Constuctivist Methods

-Scaffolding
-An iterative process of assessing and assisting and being sensitive to the needs and
the readiness of the learner
-Inherent in the notion of scaffolding is the idea that the teacher.
Reciprocal Teaching
-Is used to improve a students ability to learn from text through the practice of four skills:
-Summarizing
-Questioning
-Clarifying
-Predicting
Coopertive Learning
-Students learning cooperatively can capitalize on one anothers resources and skills (asking
one another for information and evaluating)
Suggestions for Teachers
-Encourage team working and collaboration
-Promote discussion or debates

-Set up study groups for peer learning

-Allocate a small proportion of grades for peer assessment and train students in the process
and criteria
-Show students models of good practice in essay writing and project work