Teaching in Mathematics

2. Objectives
Demonstrates
understanding and
appreciation of the
constructivist learning
theory.

3. Objectives
Determine how the
constructivist learning theory
is applied in teaching
mathematics in the early
grades.

4. “Constructivist
theory as the
backbone of the
curriculum.”

5. Constructivism was
conceptualized by educational
theorist Jean Piaget.
Piaget believed that young
children learn by doing,
constructing knowledge from
experiences rather than from
adults telling them about their
world.

6. Constructivism is
appropriately so applied in
teaching Mathematics
since Math is a cumulative,
vertically structured
discipline.

7. Brooks & Brooks(1993)
Characteristics of constructivist
teaching
1. constructivist teachers invite
student questions and ideas.
2. Constructivist teachers accept
and encourage students’
invented ideas.

8. Brooks & Brooks(1993)
Characteristics of constructivist
teaching
3. Constructivist teachers
encourage student’s
leadership, cooperation,
seeking information, and the
presentation of the ideas.

9. Brooks & Brooks(1993)
Characteristics of constructivist
teaching
4. Constructivist teachers
modify their instructional
strategies in the process of
teaching based upon students ;
thought, experience and or
interests.

10. 5. Constructivist teachers use
printed materials as well as
experts to get more information.
6. Constructivist teachers
encourage free discussions by
way of new ideas inviting
student questions and answers.

11. 7. Constructivist teachers
encourage or invite students’
predictions of the causes and
effects in relation to particular
cases and events.

12. 8. Constructivist teachers help
students to test their own
ideas.
9. Constructivist teachers
invite students ideas before the
students is presented with the
ideas and instructional
materials.

13. 10. Constructivist teachers
encourage students to
challenge the concepts and
ideas of others.

14. 11. Constructivist teachers
use cooperative teaching
strategies through students
interactions and respect,
sharing ideas, and learning
tasks.

15. 12. Constructivist teachers
encourage students to respect
and use other people’s ideas.

16. How is a constructivist
classroom different from
traditional classroom?

17. Traditional
Classroom
Constructivist
Classroom
Curriculum Curriculum begins with the
parts of the whole,
emphasizing basic skills.
Curriculum emphasizes
big concepts, beginning
with the whole and
expanding to include the
parts.
Teacher’s Role Teachers disseminate
information to students;
students are recipients of
knowledge.
Teachers have a dialogue
with students, helping
students construct their
knowledge.
Student’s Role Students work primarily
alone.
Students work primarily
in groups.

18. Assessment
Answer the following questions to
verbalize your understanding of the
Constructivist learning theory.
1. What is constructivist theory?
Explain your answer.
2. Expound why the constructivist theory
is applicable in teaching mathematics.