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Topic:
Constructivism
Presented to:
Miss Ummara Sehar
Presented by:
Rubab Basharat
Student No:
2014-1008
Programme:
MBE(morning)
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Constructivism:
The Learners Own World of Knowledge

Outline:

Constructivism
Constructivist views of learning
How is knowledge constructed
Constructivist student-centered teaching
Constructivist teaching
Difference between traditional and
constructivist class
Conclusion

What is Constructivism?
A view of learning based on the belief that knowledge
isn't a thing that can simply be given by the teacher at
the front of the room to students in their desks.
Students learn by fitting new information together
with what they already know
Learners are the builders and creators of meaning and
knowledge
Knowledge is constructed by learners through an
active, mental process of development
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What do you see in the following picture ?

Some people 'see' :

A geographical location. The side of a
cow. A bearded man.
Apparently, what each person 'sees'
depends more on what is already
stored in that person's brain.
That is people construct his/her own
image.

Constructivism
Two central ideas of constructivism:
Learners are active in constructing their own
knowledge.
Social interactions are important in this
knowledge construction process.

Constructivism
Advantages:
Each person in the world builds their own knowledge
Focuses on student-centered learning
Teacher guides students in building their own
understanding and knowledge
Students actively engaged in their learning process
Disadvantages:
Lack of teacher preparation for constructivist classroom
Difficult to break the cycle of those who have been taught
in a classroom where they were expected to solely absorb
information
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What it looks like

It is a flexible classroom environment
engaging students in active learning.
The role of teacher is to create active
environment.
The teacher is no longer the "sage on
stage" but is "guide on the side."

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Constructivist views of learning

Cognitive constructivism:
Focus on individual and psychological
sources of knowing
As in Piagets theory

Social constructivism:
Focus on social and cultural sources of
knowing
As in vygotsky theory
Constructionism:
How public knowledge
In disciplines such as science, math,
economics or history is constructed

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How is knowledge constructed

1.External Directions
e.g. IPT
2.Internal Directions
e.g. Piaget
3.Both Internal and External
Directions
e.g. Vygotsky
Knowledge: Situated or General
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Constructivist Student-Centered Teaching

Complex learning environment and authentic tasks

Social negotiation
Multiple perspectives and representation of contents
Understanding the knowledge construction process
Student Ownership of Learning

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Constructivist Teaching
Inquiry-Based Learning
Follow a scientific procedure to
find an answer to a problem.

Problem-Based Learning
Students identify a problem
and seek to solve it given the
restrictions of the classroom
and resources.

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Constructivist Teaching
Cognitive Apprenticeship
Students work with an expert to learn the skills and
approaches experts use.
Helps students develop a thorough understanding of
ways to think about and approach tasks.

Reciprocal Teaching
Students teach each other and critique each others
understanding of new material
Scaffolding to help the students

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Collaboration & Cooperation

Students learn more than just
whats in the curricula!
Collaboration: philosophy about
how to deal with people that
respects differences, shares
authority and develops everyones
knowledge
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Collaboration & Cooperation

Cooperation:
working together towards a
common goal
Cooperative learning:
Situation in which elaboration, interpretation,
explanation and argumentation are integral
To the activity of the group
Learning is supported by other individuals.

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Tasks for Cooperative Learning:

Highly structured, review and skill-building tasks.
Ill structured, conceptual and problem-solving
tasks.
Social skills and communication tasks.
Preparing Students for Cooperative Learning:

Positive interdependence
Promotive Interaction
Individual Accountability
Collaborative and social skills
Group Processing
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Types of Cooperation
Reciprocal questioning
Students ask and answer each
others questions after expert
(teacher or other) presents a
lesson

Scripted cooperation
Students pair to summarize
material and critique each others
summaries

Jigsaw
Students each receive a piece of a
puzzle to interpret and then
teach everyone else in the group

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Collaboration & Cooperation

Common problems with cooperative learning
Process over Purpose
Group Think
Socializing over Problem-Solving
Dependency on brain in group
Social Loafing

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Difference between traditional and

constructive class
Traditional
Emphasizes basic skills.
Strict adherence to fixed
curriculum
Materials are primarily
textbooks and
workbooks.

Constructive
Emphasizes big
concepts
Pursuit of student
questions and interests is
valued.
Include primary sources
and manipulative
materials.
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Difference between traditional and

constructive classes (cont.)
Traditional

Learning is based on
repetition.
Teachers disseminate
information to students.
Teacher's role is directive,
rooted in authority.
Assessment is through
testing, correct answers.

Constructive
Learning is interactive, based
on previous knowledge.
Teachers help students
construct their own knowledge.
Teacher's role is interactive,
rooted in negotiation.
Assessment includes student
works, observations, and points
of view, as well as tests.
Process is as important as
product.
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Guidelines: using cooperative

learning
Fit group size and composition to your
learning goals
Assign appropriate roles
Make sure you assume a supporting roles
as the teacher
Move around the room and monitor the
groups
Start small and simple until you and the
students know how to use cooperative
methods
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To be constructive ask the

following:
Am I asking for students' understanding before giving my own
answers?
Are there opportunities for dialogue about the concept?
Am I asking open-ended questions?
Am I allowing sufficient time after asking questions?
Am I allowing enough time for students to work with the
concept(s)?
Am I providing chances to students for use their natural curiosity?
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CONCLUSION
Constructivism is a mind set, helping
teachers to create lesson plans
based on student learning to create
problem solvers.
Instructors must be constantly
student centered,
Focusing on which strategies are
best to teach this particular group of
students.
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VID-20160204-WA0001.mp4

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