The document discusses how computers can support constructivist and social constructivist learning paradigms. It describes these paradigms, which emphasize knowledge discovery and social construction of knowledge. Computers can act as information tools, communication tools, constructive tools, and co-constructive tools by providing access to information, fostering collaborative knowledge building, and enhancing project communication. They allow students to personally discover and socially discuss meanings to construct shared understandings.

2. We shall again look at the
computer, but this time from
another perspective the computer
as a teacher’s handy tool. It can in
fact support the constructivist and
social constructivist paradigms of
constructivist learning.

4. Was introduced by Piaget (1981) and
Bruner (1990).
They gave stress to Knowledge Discovery
of new meaning/concepts/principles
in the learning process.
Various strategies have been suggested to
foster knowledge, discovery.

5.  Students are engaged to apply
discovered knowledge to new
situations, a process for making
their knowledge applicable to real
life.
 Knowledge can also be socially
constructed.

6.  SOCIAL CONSTRUCTIVISM
is an effort to show that the
construction of knowledge is
governed by social, historical
and cultural contexts.

7.  VYGOTSKY – stressed that learning
is affected by social influences.
Interactive process in learning, the
more capable adult can aid or
complement what the learner sees in a
given class project.
 DEWEY – human learning is really
human language that occurs when
students socially share, build and
agree upon meanings and knowledge.

9. General orientation Personal discovery of Students discuss and
knowledge discover meanings
Example 8*5 – 8+8+8+8+8 Two alternative job
offers
Option 1- 8hrs./day for 6
days/week
Option 2 – 9 hrs./day for
5 days/week
FIGURE 7 – SUMMARY OF THE TWO LEARNING PERSPECTIVES

10. Given its present day speed, flexibility
and sophistication, the computer:
 Can provide access to information
 Foster creative social knowledge-
building
 And enhance the communication of
the achieved project package

11. Based on the two learning theories, the
teacher can employ the computer as
a/an:
 An information tool
 A communication tool
 A constructive tool
 As co-constructive tool
 A situating tool

12.  The computer can provide vast
amounts of information in various
forms, such, as text, graphics,
sound, and video. Even multimedia
encyclopedia’s are today available
on the internet.

13.  Thecomputer itself can be
used for manipulating
information, visualizing one’s
understanding, and building
new knowledge.

14.  Students can used constructive tools to
work cooperatively and construct a
shared understanding of new
knowledge. One way of co-construction
is the use of the electronic whiteboard
where students may post notices to a
shared document, and can also co-edit
the same document.

15.  Students can enter their ideas in notes and
respond to each other’s ideas.
 Manifest in the student-generated database
are higher level thinking processes-
explaining, problem solving/finding,
expertise and development, literacy
improvement.

16.  A flight simulation program is an
example of situating tool which places
the user in a simulated flying
environment.
 The computer as a situating tool is news
and still undergoing further research
and development.