During our first week of our course, we were asked to read literature discussing different Learning Theories. We were then given an opportunity to pick from a list of these theories, and particpate in a group activity which would analyse and reflect on this theory by creating a PMI list (positives,minus and interesting points) and adding it to a wiki page.
I was particularly excited to examine the Constructivism Theory in detail, as in other courses I am currently enrolled in, this theory has been highlighted as an interesting topic to examine.
I was also excited to work with a partner, as a way of meeting new people within my course, and also sharing ideas and thoughts on this theory. I elected to work with Louise, who has also just started mid-year, and who also liked the idea of examining constructivism.
I read the selected text outlined on our wiki site http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/constructivism/index.html which I found informative and which I have attached for you to look at.
My PMI descriptions were then posted to the wiki page and I have included the address to this site below.http://fahe11001gladstone.wikispaces.com/Constructivism
Please feel free to add to the discussion board your own points and ideas on what we wrote.
Louise and I decided we would both individually read through the texts, and then collaborate online with each other to complile our final PMI list. This then gave us an opportunity to discuss our opinions, and any questions we had, to clarify what had been explored. Interestingly the basis of the learning theory constructivism, is the belief that learning should involve active learning. That is, the student exploring new concepts and information by actively participating in experiments, and group problem solving activities and then reflecting on what has been learnt from these experiences. Louise and I were able to actively test this theory by participating collabratively examining the literature, and then discussing what we each believed were positive points, minuses, and points of interest.
What was so interesting to learn was that this learning theory can be used with almost any age group, and within any teaching curriculum, from Mathematics, to English, to Science. It encourages the teacher to facilitate discussion, rather than merely informing the class of principals, and allows the children to develop their own logic, rules, and thoughts. When a child is allowed to construct their own knowledge that knowledge is both personal and owned. It is something they control and will encourage them to seek out further challenges, and explanations.
Group activity also encourages students to collaborate idea's when forming logic, and allows the student's to look at different ways of working through a problem. The children are able to challenge each other's concept's and idea's and ensure children learn how to communicate effectively within a group environment. Children who have difficulty with a task can be buddied up with stronger class members so they learn new ways of exploring subject information and problem solving, through experimentation. All children have a unique life experience that can be valuable in creating new idea's.
The challenge for the teacher will be to ensure all children have equal opportunity to construct their own knowledge and to be able to actively participate within the classroom.
I would also like to add this link for you to read. It shows a very easy to understand explanation by an American Professor named John Abbott.
http://youtu.be/F00R3pOXzuk
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