Readings+&+Resources

= Constructivism Readings & Resources = = = Welcome to the Readings and Resource page. Here you will find links to the required and supplemental readings for this week, as well as links to other articles on Constructivism to further your understanding of the topic. **Please add any additional resources** you know of or discover throughout the week.

__Introduction and General Understanding__:

 * Wikipedia's article on Constructivism is a good starting place for the basics of the theory.


 * A useful comparison of behaviorism, Cognitivism, and Constructivism from the University of Saskatchewan. In particular, the discussion on the **strengths and weaknesses** of Constructivism is useful, and the article does a great job on **explaining the difference between Cognitivism and Constructivism**. Well written and highly recommended!


 * Here is an overview of Constructivist Theory with specific focus on Jerome Bruner's work.


 * In this article, Seymour Papert outlines The Eight Big Ideas of his Constructivist Learning Lab. Papert gives pratical advice on how constructivism and technology work together, as well as general advice on implementing constructivism in a real world setting.


 * This article is a useful discussion on what constructivist learning looks like in the classroom. It adds concrete examples to illustrate the theory, and also practical advice on how to implement constructivism in the classroom setting.


 * This [|SFU website]provides basic history and tenets of the theory but also offers a good chart on the differences between the traditional and constructivist classroom.


 * Joyce Seitzinger's article in e-magazine, [|Be constructive], discusses the practical use of wikis, podcasts, and blogs in the classroom to enable students to construct meaningful learning in true Constructivist fashion.

__Challenges to the Theory__:
Not everyone agrees that Constructivism is a good idea. Here are some of the major arguements against it.


 * Michael R. Matthews' "Constructivism in Science and Mathematics Education" differentiates Constructivism as a learning theory and Constructivism as a political term in educational reform. He applauds the learning theory's contribution to Science and Math education, but warns agains the dangers of its politically charged use in education reform, curriculum development, and teacher education.


 * In this article, " 'Constructivism' and cooperation between scientists and educators : A reply to Crowther", Thomas H. Illman argues that the term "constructivist" is so broad that it has become meaningless, and fails to provide solid pedagogical ideas. He invites "Constructivists" to clarify their position.


 * "The Pythagorean Theorem", by G.D. Chakerian and Kurt Kreith, discusses a real life situation that pitted constructivist and traditional approaches to teaching the Pythagorean Theorem against one another. The authors point out the dangers of the constructivist approach in this specific context.

__ Videos __:

 * Bruner - Constructivism in Education: Created for Educational Psychology and Special Education at Nipissing University.


 * A Vygotskian Approach (Davidson Films): Lev Vygotskys unique contribution of seeing play as an arena in which a child can begin to master her own behavior is carefully detailed.


 * Scaffolding Self-Directed Learning in the Primary Grades (Davidson Films): This video provides examples of how learning can be structured so children are active learners while teachers use their superior knowledge base to meaningfully guide learning.


 * Building Knowledge: Constructivism in Learning - Vygotsky by John Abbott

**__Constructivism in Practice:__**
Not sure what this theory looks like in Practice? Not sure how to use it yourself? Here are some great resources to get you started. **__Constructivist Examples of Interactive Hypermedia Instruction__**

Cairncross and Mannion (2001) state, “Hypermedia promotes deep learning … can be combined with illustrative examples, online assessment with feedback and the user can be provided with opportunities to practice and experiment” (p.156).


 * **Instructional Goals ** || **Instructional Practices ** || **Instructional Examples ** ||
 * **Reasoning and problem solving ** || **Relevant, realistic, and authentically complex situations ** || **Microworlds and Problem-based learning **
 * [] **
 * http://sciencevision.wikispaces.com ** ||
 * **Cognitive flexibility ** || **Multiple perspectives and modes of learning ** || **Hypermedia design **
 * [] ** ||
 * **Retrieval, application, retention ** || **Social negotiation ** || **<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Collaborative learning **
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">[] **
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">[] ** ||
 * **<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Self-regulation ** || **<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Ownership of learning ** || **<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Open-ended, collaborative and problem based learning **
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">[] (real-life versions of World of Warcraft) ** ||
 * **<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Self-reflection and metacognition ** || **<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Self-aware of the conditions important to goal achievement ** || **<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Roleplaying and debates ** ||

<span style="display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: left;">**Reference**: //Cairncross S, Mannion M (2001). “Interactive multimedia and learning: Realizing the benefits”. Innovation in Education and Teaching International. Retrieved October 21 2011. From http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.85.2379&rep=rep1&type=pdf//