The EdVisions Model Emerging Research on Constructivist Learning

Constructivism: A Philosophy of Learning Each person constructs their own understanding of the world by reflecting on their experiences Each person constructs their own understanding of the world by reflecting on their experiences Each person generates their own mental models to make sense of experiences Each person generates their own mental models to make sense of experiences Learning is adjusting our mental models to new experiences Learning is adjusting our mental models to new experiences

Constructivist Learning Environments “Constructivist environments provide a question, a case, a problem or a project that learners will attempt to solve. Ownership of the problem or learning goal is the key to meaningful learning. Students must be provided with interesting, relevant, and engaging problems to solve.” “Constructivist environments provide a question, a case, a problem or a project that learners will attempt to solve. Ownership of the problem or learning goal is the key to meaningful learning. Students must be provided with interesting, relevant, and engaging problems to solve.” David Jonasson David Jonasson

Do Project-based Schools Work? EdVisions created a learning model that is as close as possible to a natural learning environment. EdVisions created a learning model that is as close as possible to a natural learning environment. Brain research, cognitive research, psychological research, all say these environments will help young people learn Brain research, cognitive research, psychological research, all say these environments will help young people learn The present traditional system cannot utilize all of the research The present traditional system cannot utilize all of the research In order to be research-based, we must create new and different kinds of learning communities! In order to be research-based, we must create new and different kinds of learning communities!

Implications of Stage Environment Fit Theory A typical high-school environment (large and impersonal, rigid curriculum, competitive) may not be supportive of adolescent needs A typical high-school environment (large and impersonal, rigid curriculum, competitive) may not be supportive of adolescent needs A better match in terms of adolescent needs and the educational context should result in higher levels of motivation and engagement A better match in terms of adolescent needs and the educational context should result in higher levels of motivation and engagement Sizable research literature to support this claim Sizable research literature to support this claim Placing students in a more developmentally appropriate environment should have a positive effect on student psychological health Placing students in a more developmentally appropriate environment should have a positive effect on student psychological health There is relatively little research that directly addresses this claim There is relatively little research that directly addresses this claim

Measuring Psychological Health by the Hope Index Hope: a generalized expectancy for achieving goals Hope: a generalized expectancy for achieving goals Correlated with dispositional optimism, positive outcome expectations, self-esteem, happiness Correlated with dispositional optimism, positive outcome expectations, self-esteem, happiness Lower rates of depression, anxiety Lower rates of depression, anxiety In a longitudinal study of college students, hope scores predicted GPA even after controlling for entrance examination scores on the ACT In a longitudinal study of college students, hope scores predicted GPA even after controlling for entrance examination scores on the ACT In the same study, 57% of the higher-hope individuals had graduated from college after six years, while only 40% of the lower-hope individuals had graduated In the same study, 57% of the higher-hope individuals had graduated from college after six years, while only 40% of the lower-hope individuals had graduated Hope is a stable component of a person’s disposition that does not change over time without targeted therapy Hope is a stable component of a person’s disposition that does not change over time without targeted therapy

Emerging Research from EdVisions Schools Project-based Learning gives students high levels of autonomy in directing their own process of learning Project-based Learning gives students high levels of autonomy in directing their own process of learning Small-school environment enables the formation of solid teacher and peer relationships Small-school environment enables the formation of solid teacher and peer relationships Students lose motivation in traditional schools with each passing year, but exposure to EdVisions school environments may be able to offset and perhaps even reverse that process Students lose motivation in traditional schools with each passing year, but exposure to EdVisions school environments may be able to offset and perhaps even reverse that process

Appropriate Environment: EdVisions Project-based learning encourages significantly higher levels of autonomy Project-based learning encourages significantly higher levels of autonomy Advisory groupings enable the creation of significantly better teacher/student relationships Advisory groupings enable the creation of significantly better teacher/student relationships Students in the project-based learning environment exhibit greater engagement in learning Students in the project-based learning environment exhibit greater engagement in learning

Appropriate Environment: EdVisions Students in EdVisions’ environments (i.e. greater perceptions of autonomy and belongingness) demonstrated healthy psychological development over time as measured by the Hope Index Students in EdVisions’ environments (i.e. greater perceptions of autonomy and belongingness) demonstrated healthy psychological development over time as measured by the Hope Index This sort of positive growth can help to buffer students from the turbulences of adolescence and provide a stronger platform for future success This sort of positive growth can help to buffer students from the turbulences of adolescence and provide a stronger platform for future success

The EdVisions Design Essentials make it possible for adolescents to have a more positive learning experience, one that builds academic skills, life skills, and improves dispositional hope!