Constructivism

Constructivism, a derivative of cognitivism, focuses on the active role of the learner in the process of learning.  Constructivism has two major branches of thought: Cognitivist constructivism that focuses on the individual's efforts to acquire knowledge, and sociocultural constructivism that talks about the acquisition or enculturation of knowledge by a social group. They are not mutually exclusive, as learners are individuals who are part of society, and can acquire knowledge through either channel.

Key Concepts

  • Learning is an active and "constructive process." Learning in the classroom is evident when students are building knowledge by doing hands-on learning
  • Instruction in Constructivist theory looks like guided problem solving. 
  • New information is link to prior knowledge; self-relevant education; making connections to their own experiences

Key Words

  • Metaphors of the Mind
  • Zone of Proximal Development
  • Scaffolding
  • Discovery Learning

Key Figures

  • John Dewey
  • Jean Piaget
  • Jerome Bruner
  • Lev Vygotsky

Key Words Defined

  • Metaphors of the Mind (see below)
  • Zone of Proximal Development is the difference between the developmental level of a child and the developmental level a child could reach with the right amount of guidance.
  • Scaffolding is the leveling of instructional material from a low to a high level of cognition in order to support learner acquisition of knowledge.
  • Discovery Learning, as a means of inquiry-based learning, states that it is best for learners themselves to discover facts and relationships.

Two Approaches

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Constructivism Approaches: Image by C. Flippen [Website Owner]

Metaphors of the Mind

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Mind as a Computer: MAC [Cognitivsm?]
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Mind as a Brain: MAB [Behaviorism?]
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Mind as a Rhizome: MAR [Constructivism]
Constructivism has developed learning viewpoints through the imagery of "mind metaphors." The first is that of the mind as a computer (MAC). The mind works by interpreting symbols according to rules, and learning is the process of gaining, interpreting, and storing knowledge. The second is the mind as a brain (MAB). The mind interprets reality as purely experiential. Both the MAC and the MAB perspectives view the mind as a separate entity from the external environment. The final mind metaphor is that of mind as a rhizome (MAR). The mind is connected without regard to any particular hierarchy or position or any internal or external specifications.

Applications in Educational Technology

Constructivist classrooms are popular in the current era of education. Many Constructivist activites are being presented in professional development in-service and are being used effectively within instructional pedagogy. Examples include mind mapping, KWL charts, research projects, field trips, and collaborative class activities including discussion, peer critiquing, and sharing.
Mind mapping has recently experienced a popularity surge in education. There are several online resources for creating Mind Maps either individually or by assigning groups of students (who can work separately but collaboratively). Some of these websites include:
Also, using Google Apps for Education enables a classroom to use online student-led collaborative opportunities without cost. With the feature to assign groups of students to particular things, students can work together at the same time on items such as a collaborative paper or Sliderocket presentation on Google Drive, a collaborative portfolio or website on Google Sites or even a group blog project on Blogspot, all of which (if using the official Google Apps for Education setup) is controllable by the teacher. 

Acquisition Tool: Behaviorism vs. Constructivism Graphic

Acquisition Tool: Student-Made Video

This video references Constructivism, Piaget, and Vygotsky via Cognitive Learning Theory... and Lady Gaga. Interestingly enough, would you classify rewriting song lyrics to reflect a different topic as Constructivism or perhaps Cognitivism?

Image Credits

Constructivist Cartoon. Retrieved October 7, 2012 from: 
       http://jackiegerstein.wikispaces.com/Pedagogy+for+this+Era+of+Learning

Making Connections. Retrieved October 4, 2012 from:       
       http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/constructivism/exploration.html

Mind as Brain. Retrieved October 6, 2012 from: 
       http://www.labspaces.net/news/Biological

Mind as Computer. Retrieved October 6, 2012 from:
        http://www.leerbeleving.nl/wbts/1/didactical_models.html

Mind as Rhizome. Retrieved October 6, 2012 from:
        http://www.librarystudentjournal.org/index.php/lsj/article/view/34/36