COGNITIVE

PROCESSES
Prepared by:
Clarita R, Tambong
Module 14: Constructivism:
Knowledge Construction/Concept Learning

In this module, challenge yourself to attain the

following learning outcomes:
• Explain the role of constructivism in facilitating
learning
• Describe strategies to promote knowledge
construction
• Describe strategies to facilitate concept learning
 CONSTRUCTIVISM

Views of Characteristics of Organizing

Constructivism Constructivism Knowledge

Individual
Constructivism

Social
Constructivism
E:\ACTIVITY IN COGNITIVE
PROCESSES.docx
Two Views of Constructivism
Individual Constructivism
- This is also called cognitive
constructivism. It emphasizes individual,
internal construction of knowledge.
Social Constructivism
- This view emphasizes that “knowledge
exists in a social context and is initially shared
with others instead of being represented
solely in the mind of an individual.
 Characteristics
of
Constructivism
1) Learners construct understanding
They see learners as a active thinkers who
interpret new information based on what they
already know. They construct knowledge in a way
that make sense to them.
2) New learning depends on current
understanding
Background information is very important. It
is through the present views or scheme that the
learner has that new information will be
interpreted.
3) Learning is facilitated by social interaction
Constructivists believe in creating a
“community of learners” within classrooms.
Learning communities help learners take
responsibility for their own learning.
4) Meaningful learning occurs within authentic
learning tasks
An authentic task is one that involves a
learning activity that involves constructing
knowledge and understanding that is so akin to the
knowledge and understanding needed when applied
in the real world.
 Organizing Knowledge
CONCEPTS-is a way of grouping or categorizing
objects or events in our mind.

CONCEPTS AS FEATURE LISTS.

Learning a concept involves learning specific
features that characterize positive instance of the concept.
• Defining Feature is a characteristic present in ALL
instances.

• Correlational Feature is one that is present in many

positive instances but not essential for concept
membership.
CONCEPTS AS PROTOTYPES
Prototype is an idea or visual image of a “typical”
example. It is usually formed based on the positive
instances that learners encounter most often.
CONCEPTS AS EXEMPLARS
Exemplars represent a variety of examples. It
allows learners to know that an example under a
concept may have variability.
Making Concept Learning Effective
• Provide a clear definition of a concept
• Make the defining features very concrete and prominent
• Give a variety of positive instances
• Give negative instances
• Cite a “best example” or a prototype
• Provide opportunity to learners to identify positive and
negative instances
• Ask learners to think of their own example of the concept
• Point out how concepts can be related to each other
SCHEMAS AND SCRIPTS
Schema is an organized body of knowledge
about something. It is like a file of information you
hold in your mind about something.
 Script is a schema that includes a series of
predictable events about a specific activity.
 Applying Constructivism in
Facilitating Learning
• Aim to make learners understand a few key ideas in an in-
depth manner, rather than taking up so many topics
superficially
• Give varied examples
• Provide opportunities for experimentation
• Provide lots of opportunities for quality interaction
• Have a lots of hands on activities
• Relate your topic to real life situations
• Do not depend on the explanation method all the time
 ASSIGNMENT

• E:\SYNAPSE STRENGTHENERS.docx

Submission will be on Tuesday 8:00AM.