CONSTRUCTIVISM Eddelyn D. Gupeteo, PhD Seminar-Workshop on Constructivism Ateneo de Davao University Grade School Unit April 27, 2012

What is constructivism? Constructivism is basically a theory -- based on observation and scientific study -- about how people learn. people construct their own understanding and knowledge of the world, through experiencing things and reflecting on those experiences.

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Constructivist view of learning in the classroom Constructivist view of learning in the classroom means encouraging students to use active techniques (experiments, real-world problem solving) to create more knowledge to reflect on and talk about what they are doing and how their understanding is changing

Constructivist teachers encourage students to constantly assess how the activity is helping them gain understanding Help students ideally become "expert learners With a well-planned classroom environment, the students learn HOW TO LEARN.

One of the teacher's main roles becomes to encourage this learning and reflection process

Constructivism transforms the student from a passive recipient of information to an active participant in the learning process

How does this theory differ from traditional ideas about teaching and learning? the focus tends to shift from the teacher to the students the students are urged to be actively involved in their own process of learning The teacher functions more as a facilitator who coaches, mediates, prompts, and helps students develop and assess their understanding, and thereby their learning. One of the teacher's biggest jobs becomes ASKING GOOD QUESTIONS ASKING GOOD QUESTIONS

Traditional classroomConstructivist classroom Curriculum begins with the parts of the whole. Emphasizes basic skills. Curriculum emphasizes big concepts, beginning with the whole and expanding to include the parts. Strict adherence to fixed curriculum is highly valued. Pursuit of student questions and interests is valued. Materials are primarily textbooks and workbooks. Materials include primary sources of material and manipulative materials. Learning is based on repetition.Learning is interactive, building on what the student already knows

Traditional ClassroomConstructivist Classroom Teachers disseminate information to students; students are recipients of knowledge. Teachers have a dialogue with students, helping students construct their own knowledge. Teacher's role is directive, rooted in authority. Teacher's role is interactive, rooted in negotiation. Assessment is through testing, correct answers. Assessment includes student works, observations, and points of view, as well as tests. Process is as important as product Knowledge is seen as inert Knowledge is seen as dynamic, ever changing with our experiences. Students work primarily alone. Students work primarily in groups.

What does constructivism have to do with my classroom? pose questions and problems then guide students to help them find their own answers techniques in the teaching process prompt students to formulate their own questions (inquiry) allow multiple interpretations and expressions of learning (multiple intelligences) encourage group work and the use of peers as resources (collaborative learning)

In a constructivist classroom, learning is... In a constructivist classroom, learning is...

Approaches Cooperative Learning Project-Based Learning Inquiry-Based Learning Thinking Skills Webquest Online Treasure Hunts

Principles of Constructivist Teaching (Daniel Muijs and David Reynolds, 2005) 1. Learning is always an active process. 2. Learning, for the constructivist, is a search for meaning. 3. The construction of knowledge is not just an individual thing. 4. Teachers need to have a good knowledge of child development and learning theory. 5. Learning is always contextualized 6. Real in-depth learning means thoroughly constructing knowledge 7. Teaching is about empowering the learner & allowing the learner to discover & reflect on realistic experiece

5 E’s of constructivism Engage Explore Explain Elaborate Evaluate

Jacqueline Grennon Brooks: A lot of people try to look at constructivism as a program, or a methodology, or as a series of techniques. But it's really a life view. It's really a philosophy, it's an epistemology, it's a way of looking at teaching and learning, it's a way of looking at how people construct understandings of our world.

“The most important moment in a child’s education is when he connects with something that will engage his interest and encourage further exploration”. —Howard Gardner, Address at Brigham Young University, March 1998

Reference Agno, L.N. Principles of Teaching 1: A modular approach (2009). C & E Publishing, Inc., Quezon City Brooks, J.G. Constructivism as a Paradigm for Teaching and Learning, access April 2012 from 2class/constructivism/index.html 2class/constructivism/index.html