Mariano Marcos State University COLLEGE OF TEACHER EDUCATION Laoag City EngEd103 - Teaching of Literature Constructivist Approach Rodel

Bryan C. Valdez Anthony M. Rafanan Joan Jesusa B. Velasco Michael John Ancheta BSE III-A Reporters "The Constructivism is not a theory about teaching it is a theory about knowledge and learning." Constructivism: Defined It is a theory of knowledge that humans generate knowledge and meaning from an interaction between their experiences and their ideas Constructivism in Teaching Constructivism proposes that learning environment should: 1. support multiple perspectives or interpretations of reality, 2. focus on knowledge construction, not on knowledge reproduction 3. be context-rich, 4. be experience-based activities Constructivism believes that one constructs knowledge from one's experiences, mental structures, and beliefs that are used to interpret objects and events. It is interactive, inductive and collaborative. Students become engaged by applying their existing knowledge and real-world experience, learning to hypothesize, testing their theories, and ultimately drawing conclusions from their findings. When learners encounter something new, they reconcile it with previous knowledge and experience.

Learning Principles in Constructivism What are some guiding principles of constructivist thinking that we must keep in mind when we consider our role as educators?
1. It takes time to learn: learning is not instantaneous. For significant learning we need to

revisit ideas, ponder them try them out, play with them and use them. This cannot happen in 5-10 minutes.
2. Learning is an active process in which the learner uses sensory input and constructs

meaning out of it. Learners must do something because they are involved in real world scenario. To be active creators of their knowledge however, they must be able to ask questions, explore and assess what they know.
3. People learn to learn as they learn. Learning consists both of constructing meaning and

constructing systems of meaning.

4. The crucial action of constructing meaning is mental. It happens in the mind. Teachers

must provide activities that involve thinking as well as doing a task.

5. Learning involves language: the language we use influences learning. 6. Learning is a social activity. Conversations, interaction with others and collaboration are

integral aspects of learning.

7. Learning is contextual. It is reality-based. It also involves the relationship of what people

know and believe.

8. One needs knowledge to learn. The more we know, the more we can learn. 9. Learning is not the passive acceptance of knowledge which exists "out there. Learning

involves the learner engaging with the world and extracting meaning from his/her experiences
10. Motivation is a key component in learning. It includes the understanding ways in which

knowledge can be used.

Assessment of Student Learning

References http://constructivist-education.blogspot.com/2006/04/learning-principles-inconstructivism.html http://userwww.sfsu.edu/~foreman/itec800/finalprojects/eitankaplan/pages/principles.htm http://userwww.sfsu.edu/~foreman/itec800/finalprojects/eitankaplan/pages/home.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constructivism_(learning_theory) http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/constructivism/index.html