Constructivism is a theory of learning that argues humans construct new knowledge from their experiences. Key people associated with constructivism include Piaget, Dewey, Vygotsky, and Bruner. Piaget identified four stages of cognitive development. Vygotsky believed learning occurs through social interaction and defined the zone of proximal development. Bruner emphasized instruction should relate to students' experiences and allow them to build on prior knowledge. According to constructivism, students learn by actively participating in experiments and discussions rather than passive learning.

1. Constructivism By:Kathleenschiel

2. Key Points of ConstructivismThe constructivism theory argues that humans build new knowledge and meaning through experiences.

3. Students learn by doing

4. Learning is active rather than passive

5. Great emphasis on social interaction Key People Associated with ConstructivismJean PiagetJohn DeweyLev VygotskyJerome Bruner Jean Piaget (psychologist)Developed the cognitive learning theory after observing children for many years

6. Defined four cognitive stages:

7. Sensorimotor- (0-2yrs) learning takes place mainly through senses and motor actions

8. Preoperational- (2-6/7 yrs) when children begin to use symbols and images

9. Concrete operational- (age 7) children begin to think logically, can understand other points of view other than their own.

10. Formal operational- (age 12+/-) Children can think abstractly-understand cause and effect.“I hear and I forget, I see and I remember. I do and I understand.” -Confucius

11. Jerome Bruner Psychologist

12. Three Principles:1. Instruction must be concerned with the experiences and contexts that make the student willing and able to learn (readiness).2. Instruction must be structured so that it can be easily grasped by the student (spiral organization).3. Instruction should be designed to facilitate extrapolation and or fill in the gaps (going beyond the information given).

13. Developed social cognition

14. Theorized that learning takes place within the context of the child’s social development and culture.

15. Proposed that children have a zone of proximal development (the difference between the problem solving ability and that a child has learned the potential that the child can achieve from collaboration with a more advanced partner.Lev Vygotsky

16. Educational psychologist, philosopher and political activist

17. Influenced American education significantly

18. Believed education is a social process

19. Dewey’s name has been linked to movements such as pragmatism

20. Pragmatists believed that theory is only as valuable as the practical effectiveness it has.

21. Has been called the father of American education John Dewey

22. Teachers: Have students work in groups instead of alone

23. Create exciting lesson plans that motivate students to learn

24. Develop questions that guide students to their own conclusion Classroom ImplicationsClassroom Implications Classroom Activities can include:-Students individually perform an experiment and then come together as a class to discuss the results.-Field trips. This allows students to put the concepts and ideas discussed in class in a real-world context. Field trips would often be followed by class discussions.-Films. These provide visual context and thus bring another sense into the learning experience.

25. Students:Apply their current understandings to build new knowledge.Compare their understandings to that of their peers.Work collaboratively with others

26. I would most certainly use constructivism in my classroom. I think having students work together to formulate their own conclusions is a great idea. I will try my hardest to make things interesting for everyone and have the student engaged in the lesson. I know I learn better when I am interested and I would love to see my students succeed.Ms. Schiel’s Classroom

27. "Classroom." Online @ SFSU. Web. 19 Apr. 2010. <http://online.sfsu.edu/~foreman/itec800/finalprojects/eitankaplan/pages/classroom.htm>.“Constructivism." Funderstanding: Education and Training for Active Learners. Web. 19 Apr. 2010. <http://www.funderstanding.com/content/constructivism>.Hoover, Wesley A. "The Practice Implications of Constructivism - SEDL Letter, Constructivism, Volume IX, Number 3, August 1996." Welcome to SEDL: Advancing Research, Improving Education. Web. 19 Apr. 2010. <http://www.sedl.org/pubs/sedletter/v09n03/practice.html>.Shelly, Gary B. Teachers Discovering Computers: Integrating Technology and Digital Media in the Classroom. Boston, Mass.: Thomson/Course Technology, 2008. Print.Works Cited