Assignment No.

02
Subject: ELT

Topic: summaries of articles

Submitted By:

Kanwal Saif

Roll No: 160649

Semester: BS-English 5thSemester

Submitted to:
Sir Waqar

DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH
ISLAMIA COLLEGE PESHAWAR
January 14, 2019
ARTICLE # 1
The Impact of Constructivism on Education: Language,
Discourse and Meaning

M. Gail Jones
Laura Brader-Araje

SUMMARY
M. Gail Jones and Laura Brader-Araje, in this article give reasons why
constructivism emerged and how has it helped and influenced the teaching-
learning process and for this purpose they have first conducted their research on
both students and teachers who were practicing the behaviorist theory (theory
that prevailed before constructivism)of learning process and proved how this
method lags behind in giving proper instruction and knowledge to the students as
well as how the teachers under this practice failed to get the best possible results
and this failure of behaviorist theory in education gave rise to a more advanced
method that is constructivism. Moving on giving the concepts/ideas of different
constructivists, they proved how constructivism is better than behaviorism and
how its shift in emphasis from knowledge as a product to knowledge as a process
has greatly influenced education. To summon up, the authors have included
almost all types and perks of constructivism and have made it convenient for all
the people who want to know about constructivism.
ARTICLE# 2
Constructivism and Powerful Learning Environments:
Create your own!
S. Ashton-Hay

SUMMARY
This paper is about the educational reforms made in Europe that involves
powerful learning environments based on Constructivist educational theory. The
main idea is to provide such an environment where the learners can be actively
involved. Ashton Hay discusses the features of powerful learning environments,
giving reasons why this method is gaining more attention in Educational reforms
in Europe. This method is supported by constructivism particularly social
constructivism. Contrasting it with behaviorist teaching method and taking the
support of different researchers, Ashton proclaims how social constructivist based
teaching can help in fast and active learning. Along with the benefits, he also talks
about some factors (involving both teachers and learners) that hinder the active
learning process. The ending paragraphs of this paper provide ways through
which this powerful learning environment can be created.
ARTICLE# 3
Learning Theory: Constructivist Approach
SUMMARY:
The article begins with the introduction of constructivism, a theory that
was introduced due to the failure of behaviorist approach in teaching –
learning process. It also provides the Historical background of
constructivism, having its root in the works of Jean Piaget and moving
to the concepts of Vygotsky and John Dewey, all of three contributing
different ideas/concepts to the theory of constructivism. Further, the
article discusses constructivist views in education, providing the
criteria— teacher’s role, learner’s assessment, constructivist curriculum
and more— for a classroom based on constructivist theory.
ARTICLE#4

Using Constructivist Teaching Strategies to Enhance

Academic Outcomes of Students with Special Needs

Joseph P. Akpan, Lawrence A. Beard

SUMMARY:
Some students are slow learner; some requires special attention,
while some have other learning disabilities. This article is all
about how the needs of such students can be fulfilled. Joseph P.
Akpan and Lawrence A. Beard discusses the legislative changes
that are made for giving equal and better education in America.
Every student succeeds Actan act signed for the purpose above
mentionedis also discussed in this article. Also, they propose
constructivist teaching strategies, tell how they will enhance the
teaching-learning process and suggest the educators/teachers to
act upon them. Further, they provide evidences in support of
Constructivist model and also recommend training educators
according to this method.
ARTICLE#5

A Constructivist's Perspective on Functional

Contextualism
David H Jonassen
SUMMARY:
Jonassen has written this article in response to Fox’s claims
(constructivism has failed in proving it effectiveness,
functionalism contextualism is better than constructivism etc) and
his concept of functional contextualism. He has provided five
counter claims in support of constructivism. He has also
discussed the issue/problems with functionalism contextualism
and has ended his article with certain recommendations.
ARTICLE#6
Foundations of Linguistics - Approaches and Concepts:
Constructivism, applied linguistics, and language education

 Thomas Cob
SUMMARY:

Thomas cob, in his article, talks about the concept of constructivism,

and its growing influence in education, also its role in language teaching
and second language acquisition. He begins his article by Introducing
constructivism and providing points that differentiate constructivism
from behaviorism. Providing the background, he discusses how linguists
inclined towards constructivist theory, and having introduced to this
concept earlier what kind of problems did they face in teaching
language. Further, he talks about some educational reforms made that
include constructivist theory in language education.
Article#7

Constructivist pedagogy
Virginia Richardson
SUMMARY:
This article is about constructivist pedagogy. Virginia Richardson begins the article
with brief history of constructivist pedagogy and how it is related to constructivist
learning theory. Further, she discusses four issues in the ways and methods in
which constructivist pedagogy is being approached. The first one is related to
student learning in classroom based on constructivist pedagogy. Second one is
related to constructivist teaching as this theory is about learning and not
teaching. For this problem, Virginia suggests that in order for the teacher to teach
effectively in a constructivist classroom the teacher must also be instructed in a
constructivist manner. The third issue centers on the necessarily deep subject
matter knowledge required of teachers who adopt constructivist pedagogy; and
the difficulty this requirement imposes on elementary teachers who must deal
with many subject matter areas. The final issue is about cultural differences.
Constructivist pedagogy is more prominent in the dominant cultures. She ends
her article with concluding all that is mentioned above.