POST 10: CONSTRUCTIVISM

OBJECTIVES

• Students will be able to examine the main theoretical principles and precursors´ contributions of Constructivism.
• Regognize the strategies of Constructivism.
• List the desadvantages of Cognitivism.
• Contrast the benefits and critisisms of Constructivism.
• Compare traditional teaching with Constructivist teaching.
• Compare Behaviorism, Cognitivism and Constructivism.

Retrieved from: www.123rf.com

I. Presentation

Strategies of Constructivism   

• Use of prior knowledge
• Role-playing
•  Hands-on, creative activities
•  Real-life simulations
•  Debates
• Cooperartive learning groups
• Group work (task-based language teaching)

• ‘Teaching by Asking' or guided discovery
• Explaining tasks that require students to express their understanding to each other, and to develop this understanding before expressing it 
• Ask ‘diagnostic' question and answer, and use wrong answers to explore and correct misunderstandings. 
• Use thought provoking tasks and questions that are high on Bloom's Taxonomy, rather than simple recall as these require more thought and processing.

• Analysis: ‘why?' questions.
  Synthesis: ‘how' could you? questions.
  Evaluation: judgement questions.

Disadvantages

• The training necessary for constructive teaching is extensive and often requires costly long-term professional development. 
• The constructivism curriculum also eliminates standardized testing and grades. 
• The biggest disadvantage is its lack of structure. 
• It could lead some students to fall behind of others.

II. Watch these short videos on Constructivism:

This video compares traditional teaching with constructivist teaching.

Video Teacher Tony and his application of Constructivism.

Read more about Constructivism here.

Benefits

Criticisms

Encourages higher level thinking Student centered Actively engaged learners (Tudor 1996) Offers differentiated instruction to all learners Higher retention of learned material (Silberman 1996) Gain in confidence of learner (Aaronsohn 1996) Cross curricular integration Development of problem solving skills Use of authentic tasks Self-management skills Teamwork skills Schema accommodation due to different perspectives from other learners encourages diversity of thought

time consuming expensive inefficient mix of other theories, no one clear theory too subjective learner must have a higher level of self-management/ maturity for success unpredictable outcomes difficult to develop authentic tasks encourages diversity of thought where conformity is required

Comparison Between Traditional Teaching and Constructivist Teaching

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.
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.

Homework:  check the blog and watch the videos.