Essay about What Is Constructivism - 3002 Words

What Is Constructivism Watching a young child grow from infancy to toddler hood, we marvel at the amount of learning that has allowed her to understand her expanding environment. Those early years provide the basis for language, physical dexterity, social understanding, and emotional development that she will use for the rest of her life. All of this knowledge is acquired before she even sets foot in school! This child has taught herself by gathering information and experiencing the world around her. This is an example of constructivism. Constructivism emphasizes the importance of the knowledge, beliefs, and skills an individual brings to the experience of learning. It recognizes the construction of new understanding as a†¦show more content†¦Many others worked with these ideas as well. Constructivism is a theory about knowledge and learning; it describes what ?knowing? is and how one ?comes to know? (fosnot, 1996, p.ix). ?A basic assumption is that children learn when they are in contr ol of their learning and know that they are in control? (Green Gredler, 2002, p7). Principles of Learning Constructivism is a theory about learning, not a description of teaching. Learners construct knowledge for themselves. Each learner individually constructs meaning as he or she learns. There are nine general principles of learning that are derived from constructivism. These nine principles are: (1) learning is an active process in which the learner uses sensory input and constructs meaning out of it, (2) people learn to learn as they learn. Learning consists both of constructing meaning and constructing systems of meaning. (3) Physical actions and hands on experience may be necessary for learning, especially for children, but is not sufficient; we need to provide activities which engage the mind as well as the hand. Dewey called this reflective activity. (4) Learning involves language: the language that we use influences our learning. Lev Vygotsky, a psychologist that helped in the theory of constructivism, argued that language and learning are inextricablyShow MoreRelate dConstructivism : A Cognitive Learning Theory1151 Words   |  5 Pages Constructivism: A Cognitive Learning Theory Erica Johnson Lourdes University â€Æ' Constructivism: A Cognitive Learning Theory According to Kivunja (2014), â€Å"a learning paradigm is a conceptual model that represents understanding of relationships involved in the learning process† (p.82). Cognitive learning theories were developed from the work of Gestalt psychologists during the early 1900’s (Billings Halstead, 2012). According to Billings Halstead (2012), â€Å"Gestalt psychologists believe peopleRead MoreConstructivism1400 Words   |  6 PagesConstructivism Learning Theory Constructivism learning theory is a philosophy which enhances students logical and conceptual growth. The underlying concept within the constructivism learning theory is the role which experiences-or connections with the adjoining atmosphere-play in student education. The constructivism learning theory argues that people produce knowledge and form meaning based upon their experiences. Two of the key concepts within the constructivism learning theory which createRead MoreThe s Views On Constructivism1347 Words   |  6 PagesElkind (2004) describes his distinctive views on constructivism. This teaching model has been approached numerous times by different viewpoints. This type of model has been tested but has not been successfully implemented. â€Å"The lack of success in implementing this widely accepted educational epistemology into the schools can be attributed to what might be called failures of readiness† Elkind (2004). In this quote he states that in order for constructivism to work successfully, three major componentsRead MoreConstructivist Theory Of Constructivist Learning Theory969 Words   |  4 Pagesthings on those experiences. For Constructivist Learning theory, there is a theorist name Jerome Bruner. Bruner’s theory on constructivism encompasses the idea of learning as an active process wherein those learning can form new ideas based on what their current knowledge is as well as their past knowledge. The four major principles of Bruner’s theory on constructivism encompass, initially, a predilection toward learning. The second is how a grouping of knowledge is able to be constructed to bestRead MoreConstructivism : A Learning Theory917 Words   |  4 PagesConstructivism is a learning theory that suggests that because individuals are not blank slates new knowledge is constructed by building upon prior knowledge and experiences (Brandsford, Brown, and Cocking, 2000). Within the classroom setting, constructivism often includes, but not limited to a hands-on activity, group work, and teachers acting as facilitators. At the sight of observation, the learning activity was a guided reading lesson . This reading activity was designed for a small group of fourRead MoreConstructivism And Constructivism724 Words   |  3 PagesConstructivism is a type of method that has changed and continues to change with time. It has been stated that due to the fact of the ever-changing definition many have called the definition empty. According to Kretchmar (2017), â€Å"So many different definitions currently exist some scholars believe constructivism has been emptied of meaning altogether.† Sofie M. M. Loyens and David Gijbels (2008), defines constructivism as â€Å"the way in which people try to make sense of situations or, in other wordsRead MoreLecturer Peter Senge Once Stated, â€Å"Knowledge Is Constructed,1302 Words   |  6 PagesLecturer Peter Senge once stated, â€Å"Knowledge is constructed, not transferred† (Callahan). With this one quote Peter Senge has managed to mock the modern education system. Today’s educational institutions do exactly what Senge sa ys not to; teachers try to transfer knowledge to their students through lectures, worksheets, and rubrics. This type of instruction, called essentialism, limits student’s creativity. Students are unable to act independently from teacher expectations. Essentialism tends toRead MoreIs Constructivism The Best Philosophy Of Education?887 Words   |  4 PagesIs Constructivism the Best Philosophy of Education? The dilemma with Objectivism and Constructivism is that they are being regarded as bifurcating philosophies when they should be deemed as complementing philosophies. Why not employ both to create the best educational system possible? We need the Objectivism approach in order to see the global perspective of educating children and we need the Constructivism approach in order to identify the details that are failing some students and bring aRead MoreRussian Intelligence Operatives : A Personal Assessment Of The Relative Utility Of Each Theory1722 Words   |  7 Pagesfear that she would maintain the sanctions placed on Russia by the Obama administration, Russia may have wanted to ensure that it did not have to deal with a President it knew would only cooperate in a manner that benefited the United States more. What may have started as an effort to undermine the Democratic party, in hopes that a more pro-Russia candidate would emerge on the Republican side, may have turned into swayi ng public opinion in President Trump’s favor because of the openly pro-RussianRead MoreThe Development Of A C20th Art Movement And Architectural Expression From The Same Period1663 Words   |  7 PagesDescribe and evaluate the relationship and influences between an example of a C20th art movement and architectural expression from the same period. Constructivism arose in Russia in 1914 where Lenin and Marx’s communist state supported and advertised the artistic movement with the philosophy that it was the rebirth of the art world. Constructivists held the communist belief that there should be no distinction between roles: artist, architect and engineer were all to be the same. This ‘worker’ character