Constructivism: a Holistic Approach to Teaching and Learning
Constructivism: A Holistic Approach to Teaching and Learning
Janet Giesen
Faculty Development and Instructional Design Center
Northern Illinois University
Introductions
• Your name • Your department or unit • Your experiences or knowledge of constructivism • Why have you joined us today?
Overview
• Learning cycle • Constructivism
– Learning theory – Process – Instructional strategy
• Classroom applications • Instructor and student roles
Learning Cycle or “5 E’s”
Engage
Extend
Evaluate
Explore
Explain
How would you define constructivism?
A definition of constructivism
Fundamentally, constructivism says that people construct their own understanding and knowledge of the world through experiencing things and reflecting on those experiences.
Source: Thirteen Ed Online (2004)
Constructivism is a learning theory
• Learning is an active process • Knowledge is constructed from (and shaped by) experience • Learning is a personal interpretation of the world
Sources: Christie (2005); Kruse (n.d.)
Constructivism is a learning theory
• Emphasizes problem solving and understanding • Uses authentic tasks, experiences, settings, assessments • Content presented holistically – not in separate smaller parts
Sources: Christie (2005);
Constructivism is a process – the instructor
• Adapt curriculum to address students’ suppositions • Help negotiate goals and objectives with learners • Pose problems of emerging relevance to students • Emphasize hands‐on, real‐world experiences • Seek and value students’ points of view • Social context of content
Sources: Christie (2005); Honebein (1996)
Constructivism is a process – the instructor
• Provide multiple modes of representations / perspectives on content • Create new understandings via coaching, moderating , suggesting • Testing should be integrated with the task and not a separate activity • Use errors to inform students of progress to understanding and
Janet Giesen
Faculty Development and Instructional Design Center
Northern Illinois University
Introductions
• Your name • Your department or unit • Your experiences or knowledge of constructivism • Why have you joined us today?
Overview
• Learning cycle • Constructivism
– Learning theory – Process – Instructional strategy
• Classroom applications • Instructor and student roles
Learning Cycle or “5 E’s”
Engage
Extend
Evaluate
Explore
Explain
How would you define constructivism?
A definition of constructivism
Fundamentally, constructivism says that people construct their own understanding and knowledge of the world through experiencing things and reflecting on those experiences.
Source: Thirteen Ed Online (2004)
Constructivism is a learning theory
• Learning is an active process • Knowledge is constructed from (and shaped by) experience • Learning is a personal interpretation of the world
Sources: Christie (2005); Kruse (n.d.)
Constructivism is a learning theory
• Emphasizes problem solving and understanding • Uses authentic tasks, experiences, settings, assessments • Content presented holistically – not in separate smaller parts
Sources: Christie (2005);
Constructivism is a process – the instructor
• Adapt curriculum to address students’ suppositions • Help negotiate goals and objectives with learners • Pose problems of emerging relevance to students • Emphasize hands‐on, real‐world experiences • Seek and value students’ points of view • Social context of content
Sources: Christie (2005); Honebein (1996)
Constructivism is a process – the instructor
• Provide multiple modes of representations / perspectives on content • Create new understandings via coaching, moderating , suggesting • Testing should be integrated with the task and not a separate activity • Use errors to inform students of progress to understanding and