1. A theory based on observation and scientific study about how people learn.

2. Knowledge is not a fixed object, it is constructed by an individual through his/her own experience of that object.

3. Example: When we encounter something new, we have to reconcile it with our previous ideas and experience

4.Constructivist approach to learning emphasizes challenging projects that include students, teachers and experts in the learning community.

5.Jean Piaget and John Dewey developed theories of childhood development and education, that led to the evolution of constructivism.

6.Lev Vygotsky introduced the social aspect of learning into constructivism.

CONSTRUCTIVISM

'Can there be a human science?‘ was posed by Guba and Lincoln while writing a research in 1989 and 1990

Suggested that constructivism is a workable paradigm for the study of human interaction.

Compare this paradigm with possible alternatives – post positivism and critical theory

Come to the conclusion that constructivism offers the most useful way forward.

CONSTRUCTIVIST ACTIVITIES

ExperimentationResearch projectsField tripsFilmsClass discussions

ADVANTAGESAccommodate students interestAllows reconstruction and revision of previous

learning.

DISADVANTAGESTime consumingDifficult to evaluate

WHY IT IS CALL THAT?Constructivism is a dominant perspective in fields like

science education.

Its implies that the idea is so strong that it completely dominates an entire field or discipline.

Example of constructivism theory:Goal-based theorySocial development theory (Vygotsky)Problem-based learning (PBL)Situated learning

What is goal based theoryThe concept of this theory is to increase the performance

of the learner by setting a set of difficult and specific goals.

The learner must have confident in their own ability to accomplish the goal in order for the theory to work.

The learner will be exposed to some form of positive reinforcement and motivation.

Implementation In Classroom SettingThe teacher act as a facilitator and motivatorThe teacher will instill one of the source of extrinsic

motivation for the learner.The students performance will increase if the teacher

present enough extrinsic motivation to the learner.The teacher must also employed some positive

reinforcement to build the student confident level

AdvantagesIncrease the learner performance in classThe students confident level will be boost if they manage

to accomplish the task.The learner will develop an urge to be more serious and

do better in class.The learner will be more motivated to learn in class.

Disadvantages The teacher will have difficulties teaching when there are

no extrinsic motivation such as rewards.This theory is time consuming with the constant

motivation.The learner confident level will suffer if the theory should

fail.

References www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goal-setting_theory.comhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goal_theory.com

Social interaction plays a fundamental role in the development of cognition.

social learning precedes development.

Vygotsky states: Every function in the child's cultural development appears twice:-first, on the social level, and later, on the individual level;-first, between people (interpsychological) and then inside the child (intrapsychological).

The More Knowledgeable Other (MKO).

The MKO refers to anyone who has a better understanding or a higher ability level than the learner, with respect to a particular task, process, or concept.

The MKO is normally thought of as being a teacher, coach, or older adult, but the MKO could also be peers, a younger person, or even computers.

The Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD). The ZPD is the distance between a student’s ability to perform a task under adult guidance and/or with peer collaboration and the student’s ability solving the problem independently.

learning occurred in this zone.

Implementation and used in classroom setting

students play an active role in their own education.

the teacher works in partnership with her/his students in order for students to create their own meaning.

The classroom environment should have a space for peer instruction, collaboration, and small group instruction.

Advantage Disadvantage

Recognizes importance of human evolution

-human abilities as adaptations for survival and reproduction.

-human desires/preferences as adaptations for survival and reproduction.

not accepted by mainstream psychologists and educators.

ignorance or rejection of role of biological evolution in human behavior, skills and preferences.

Problem-based learning (PBL) is a student-centered instructional strategy in which students collaboratively solve problems and reflect on their experiences.

Students are encouraged to take responsibility for their group and organize and direct the learning process with support from a tutor or instructor

Characteristics of PBL are:

Learning is driven by challenging, open-ended , ill-defined and ill-structured, practical problems.

Students generally work in collaborative groups.

Teachers take on the role as "facilitators" of learning.

Implementation and used in classroom settings

There is no right or wrong answer in PBL.

Rather, there are reasonable solutions based on application of knowledge and skills deemed necessary to address the issue.

For example the issues and problem here is by asking the students meta-cognitive question.

Eg,how do you know that?

What is the solution?

These kinds of question are meant to get students to become self-reflective about their learning process.

Advantages of Problem Based Learning

To discover what the student need to learn

To develop student skills for achieving higher performance in teams

To improve students communications skills

To train student to become more flexible in processing information

To train student to practice skills that they will need after their education

Disadvantages of Problem Based Learning

Passive students will not take part in the conversation or discussion

students might get confused or lost.

Other teaching methods are useful too

Too much time will be wasted on planning the lesson

OverviewSituated Learning Theory posits that

learning is unintentional and situated within authentic activity, context, and culture

ExplanationLave argues that learning as it normally

occurs is a function of the activity, context and culture in which it occurs

Knowledge needs to be presented in authentic contexts — settings and situations that would normally involve that knowledge.

Social interaction and collaboration are essential components of situated learning -- learners become involved in a "community of practice" which embodies certain beliefs and behaviors to be acquired

Furthermore, situated learning is usually unintentional rather than deliberate. These ideas are what Lave & Wenger (1991) call the process of "legitimate peripheral participation."

Relating theoriesBrown, Collins & Duguid (1989)

emphasize the idea of cognitive apprenticeship

“Cognitive apprenticeship supports learning in a domain by enabling students to acquire, develop and use cognitive tools in authentic domain activity. Learning, both outside and inside school, advances through collaborative social interaction and the social construction of knowledge.”

Vygotsky’s notion of learning through social development

The major theme of Vygotsky's theoretical framework is that social interaction plays a fundamental role in the development of cognition.

Principle: Knowledge needs to be presented in an authentic context, i.e., settings and applications that would normally involve that knowledge

Advantage: A knowledge or skill can be acquired instead of learned which is a more natural way.

Disadvantage: Finding the right context of some knowledge or skill is challenging.

Examples of implicated situated learning: Workshops, kitchens, greenhouses and

gardens used as classroomsStand-up role playing in the real world

setting, including most military training Field trips including archaeological digs and participant-observer studies in an alien culture

On the job training including apprenticeship and Cooperative education

Sports practice and music practice and art