Constructivism: a Holistic Approach to Teaching and Learning

Constructivism: A Holistic Approach to Teaching and Learning Janet Ginseng Faculty Development and Instructional Design Center Northern Illinois university Introductions Your name Your department or unit Your experiences or knowledge of constructivism Why have you Joined us today? Overview Learning cycle Constructivism - Learning theory - Process - Instructional strategy Classroom applications Instructor and student roles Learning Cycle or "5 Ex.'s" Engage Extend Evaluate Explore Explain How would you define constructivism?A definition of constructivism Fundamentally, constructivism says that people construct their own understanding and knowledge of the world through experiencing things and reflecting on those experiences.

Source: Thirteen Deed Online (2004) Constructivism is a learning theory Learning is an active process Knowledge is constructed from (and shaped by) experience Learning is a personal interpretation of the world Sources: Christie (20051 Kruse (n. D. ) 1 OFF Emphasizes problem solving and understanding Uses authentic tasks, experiences, settings, assessments Content presented holistically - not in separate smaller parts Sources: Christie (2005); Constructivism is a process - the instructor Adapt curriculum to address students' suppositions Help negotiate goals and objectives with learners Pose problems of emerging relevance to students Emphasize hands-on, real- world experiences Seek and value students' points of view Social context of content Sources: Christie (2005); Honeybee (1996) Provide multiple modes of representations / perspectives on content Create new understandings via coaching, moderating , suggesting Testing should be integrated with the task and not a separate activity Use errors to inform students of progress to understanding and changes in ideas Sources: Christie (2005); Honeybee (1996) Constructivism is a process - the student Help develop own goals and assessments Create new understandings (via coaching, moderating, suggesting) Control learning (reflecting) Source: Greener Brooks & Brooks, 1999 Member of community of learners Collaborate among fellow students Learn in a social experience - appreciate different perspectives Take ownership and voice in learning processTraditional Classroom Begins with parts of the whole - emphasizes basic skills Strict adherence to fixed curriculum Textbooks and workbooks Instructor gives / students receive Instructor assumes directive, authoritative role Assessment via testing / correct answers Knowledge is inert Students work individually Constructivist Classroom Begins with the whole - expanding to parts Pursuit of student questions / interests Primary sources / manipulative materials Learning is interaction-building on what students already know Instructor interacts / negotiates with studentsAssessment via student works, observations, Knowledge is dynamic / changes with experiences Students work in groups Thirteen Deed online (2004). Constructivism is an instructional strategy Involves collaboration between instructors, students and others (community members) Tailored to needs and purposes of individual learners Features active, challenging, authentic and multidisciplinary learning source: Christie (2005) Constructivism can help students - Pursue personal interests and purposes - Use and develop his or her abilities -Build on his or her prior knowledge and experiences - Develop life-long learning Constructivism encourages instructors to provide for each student's - Preferred learning style - Rate of learning - Personal interactions with other learners Applying constructivism in the classroom Pose problems that are or will be relevant to students Structure learning around essential concepts Be aware that students' points of view are windows into their reasoning Source: Thirteen Deed Online, 2004 Adapt teaching to address students' suppositions and development Assess student learning in context of teaching Implementing constructivism in an online setting Individuality and choice in practical tasks; negotiated report titles Practical tasks use Internet to create Web pages, concept maps, etc. Videos replace (some) lectures Exams replaced by reports on issue or research on Internet resources Work in pairs, groups - Blackboard supported Source: http://www.

Keel. AC. UK/depths/AAA/land/lat/tale/materials/ counterrevolutionaries. PDF Facilitator of knowledge Co-learner/collaborator Developer of instructionReflective instructor Discovery facilitator Negotiator of knowledge Team member Information receiver Coach / facilitator Student Adaptive learner Collaborator/c-learner Co-developer of goals and objectives Knowledge seeker Knowledge creator Reflective learner Learning through discovery Negotiator of knowledge Team member Active learner Responsible learner Mediate own learning Constructivism summary Shifts emphasis from teaching to learning Individualizes and conceptualizes students' learning experiences Helps students develop processes, skills and attitudes Considers students' learning styles