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Importance of constructivism theory to teachers
Principles from Vygotsky's sociocultural theory
Importance of constructivism theory to teachers
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Vygotsky's (1978/1981) social constructivism (SC) theory suggests that teachers can use an alternative instructional method by engaging students with a set of approaches and strategies. Vygotsky’s SC approach reflects on creating a learning setting which, allows students to negotiate meaning through learning by doing to facilitate wireless computing within the classroom (Woo and Lim, 2009). Teacher training and input in their personal view points on technology integration professional learning experiences are essential for constructive changes (So & Kim, 2009). Teacher training and point of views through the social constructivism (SC) theory can create opportunities to provide hands-on learning and enables students to access electronic books, study, review, research or explore through SC concept (Zucker & King, 2009). Ryu, Parsons, Li, Sheng & Javed (2009) found that the antidote to learning, requires referencing prior knowledge to recent experiences, referencing different situations to similar, past situations, and then incorporating what one has learned to the past foundation. A foundation upon which to build needs to be established first to construct planned activities (Kundi & Nawaz, 2010). The social constructivism (SC) approach makes it possible for teachers to meet online, share ideas, prepare lesson plans and activities using different software packages (Moses, Khambari, & Luan, 2008). Dewey (1916/1997), Papert (1993/2000), Piaget (1932/1997), and Vygotsky’s (1978/1981), social constructivism (SC) theory illustrates that the teacher guides the learner during the learning process rather than instructing through traditional lecturers. Wellings and Levine (2009) established that technology literacy i... ... middle of paper ... ...s. Children, preteens and teens naturally network with devices and interfaces that were not available a decade ago (Wellings & Levine, 2009). Wireless computing using laptops in the instructional setting creates room for the teacher to assume the role of facilitator (Woo & Lim, 2009). Teaching with wireless laptops guides learners to become self-driven and transform a passive learning setting to an active learning setting (Skevakis, 2010). As facilitators, teachers can ensure that their students’ tasks performances occur in an appropriate social constructivism (SC) manner. The SC approach places students as active participants in their learning process (Mileva, Simpson, & Thompson, 2008). Current research can help develop a plan and concept of the deliberating rate of integrating wireless computing (So and Kim, 2009) through an OSN for K–12 teachers.
The way in which the body is viewed is a complete social construction, dependent on the society, history and wider cultural attitude of a given group. Social constructionism can be defined as the ways in which society, culture and history builds up and dictates social norms. It shapes the way we think, behave and interact with our environment. The social construction of bodies is, therefore, the way in which society ascribes significance to different parts of the body and influences our understanding of it as a whole. The social construction of the body feeds into and reinforces inequalities to a great extent, on a number of levels. Gender inequalities and the issues of racism and colourism are good examples of inequalities that are fuelled
Social Construct influences the extent in which we are healthy and physically active. It determines how we use health services, recreational facilities and sporting opportunities to our benefits. It also guides our response to health and physical activity challenges and how an individual views health as a social construct.
Von Glaserfield (1990) acknowledged that constructivism means “knowledge is not passively received.” Piaget (1973) stated that students are not just “empty heads” that can be filled with facts from packaged curriculum that is given out my teachers. Constructivism does not depend on a standardized curriculum. Instead, it promotes using curriculum customized to the students’ prior knowledge. Also, it emphasizes real world problem solving, experiments, reasoning and communication (Au & Carrol , 1997). Constructivism gives students the power to make connections, reformulate ideas, and reach conclusions (Brewer & Daane, 2002). After school programs often focus on teac...
Powell, K. Kalina, C. (2009). Cognitive and Social Constructivism: Developing Tools for an Effective Classroom. Education, 130(2), 241-250. Retrieved from http://proquest.umi.com.dbgw.lis.curtin.edu.au/pqdweb?did=1937522441&Fmt=7&clientId=22212&RQT=309&VName=PQD. (Document ID: 1937522441).
Empiricists and rationalists have proposed opposing theories of the acquisition of knowledge, which appear unable to coexist. Each theory holds its own strengths but does not demonstrate a strong argument in itself to the questions, “Is knowledge truly possible?” and “How is true knowledge obtained?”. Immanual Kant successfully merged the two philosophies and provided a convincing argument with his theory of empirical relativism, or what some may call constructivism. His theory bridges the gap between rationalism and empiricism and proves that empiricists and rationalists each present a piece of the full puzzle. In order to truly understand Kant’s epistemology, one must first review and understand both empiricism and rationalism on an impartial basis.
John Dewey once said, “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” You may ask why John Dewey should be given merit for anything he says. In truth, John Dewey was one of the biggest supporters of constructivism in classroom. On a basic level, constructivism is described as learning by doing. This concept, while not necessarily new, is considered progressive. Today, we will explore the history and details of this concept, analyze how constructivism effects the modern classroom, and wrap it up with some concluding remarks.
...nstructivism. Core to social constructivism practices is the creation of a social environment where students can use language to communicate, collaborate and socially interact with each other to learn. The prevalence of constructionist principals in current education attests to the importance of Vygotskys’ theories and their successful application in the classroom.
Constructivist theory and independent learning. The constructivistic learning approach involves educators building school curriculum around the experience of their students. Constructivists believe learner-centric instructional classroom methods will strengthen the commitment and involvement of self-motivated learners because of their high level of interaction. Today, there is a trend for incorporating technology into the classrooms to support instructional learning methods. Yet, recent studies have revealed technology is not effectively integrated with the concepts of constructivism
Do you ever think about how much technology has changed the way we work, learn, play, and even think? Technology is a major beneficiary to society; especially in the classroom where we get the opportunity to learn and grow. In recent years, schools have begun implementing tablets and other devices in the classroom to better student’s education. The use of technology in the classroom provides more of a personalized learning experience and gives students a widespread availability to engage in learning. Technology is necessary in today’s modern globe, it is basically “the pen and paper of our time and the lens through which we experience much of our world” (Warlick, 2013). Technology is not just considered the “internet”, it is so much greater than that. Overall, it enhances the quality of education and engages students deeper than ever before. With all the significant gains, why would people argue that technology hinders students more than it helps? Critics may try to repute the use of technology in the classroom but I believe what really matters “is the way we use it, the context that we use it in, and the learners who we use it for” (Chong, 2012).
There are methods that are considered very different than constructivism that are used in the classroom. One of the approaches is the traditional approach where the teacher teaches the information to the student, and the student does not contribute as much or convey the prior knowledge of the material during instruction (Airasian & Walsh, 1997). It has been said that traditional teaching can segregate students, especially ones with special needs, in the classroom (Bloom; Perlmutter& Burrell, 1999). In other words, traditional instruction is a more teacher-centered approach that uses rote, fact based learning. The teachers create the values, behaviors, and beliefs for the students. The teacher is in charge of the classroom, where they have rewards and consequences, and the students work mostly by themselves (this is very different that the constructivist classroom, which will be explained) (Windschitl, 1999).
Constructivism is a method that says students learn by building their schema by adding to their prior knowledge by the use of scaffolding (Rhinehart Neas). Because the students are basically teaching themselves new information, the teacher is there mainly for support and guidance for the students.
Constructivist learning theory is creating meaning from experience. Learning is an active process within a context. Knowledge is constructed as opposed to being acquired. Our personal experiences subjectively shape our knowledge with each learning experience from the time we are born until we die. Constructivism is organic in nature because our learning is developed from prior knowledge within our mind while also constantly broadening with each new life experience. Learning is an autonomously controlled cognitive system, which interacts with its own conditions; this differentiates and modifies the independence of its own structure (Juvova et al., 2015). We as educators must turn away from the mindset that we are simply pouring knowledge
Laptops in school are a bad idea because they would provide students with a constant source of distraction. Matt Richtel is the winner of “Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting” for his article in The New York Times. Mr. Richtel wrote“[Laptop] computers and cellphones, and the constant stream of stimuli they offer, pose a profound new challenge to focusing and learning” (Richtel). Students will stray away from their schoolwork and waste time on less important distractions like social networking and media such as Twitter and YouTube. There is a clear relationship between laptop use in class and a lower overall course performance (CanWest News Service). It is apparent now that laptops put students at a disadvantage, and that textbooks would be the better learning tool. Carrie Fried, a very well respected researcher at Winona State University stated in an interview“[Laptops] clearly did interfere with students learning the material, and it was clearly a distraction for everyone around them” (Fried). Laptops may bring exciting new technology to the classroom, but this will only be at the cost of students’ focus in class, which draws away from their initial purpose¬¬¬...
There is no doubt that technology has changed the world in which we live. The world has been transformed with new advances in technology. This is why it is so important to educate elementary students on technology education. The use of technology in education provides students with technology literacy, information literacy, capacity for life-long learning and other skills necessary for the 21st century workplace. If students are taught how to use laptops to help them in their career now than it can increase productivity in the future. “America is falling from its once prominent position as the world’s leader in technology and science. Technology helps prepare students for a world where they will compete with the best and brightest individuals
As we introduce more modern gadgets, kids of America seem to focus more on texting, emailing, and wasting h...