Friday 7 March 2014

What is Social Constructivism?

What is Social Constructivism?
Constructivist education is when . . .
. . . learners actively construct meaning by building on background knowledge, experience and reflect on those experiences.
- See more at: http://imaginationsoup.net/2011/01/what-is-a-constructivist-classroom/#sthash.sFZtoMpc.dpuf

Constructivist education is when . . .
. . . learners actively construct meaning by building on background knowledge, experience and reflect on those experiences.
- See more at: http://imaginationsoup.net/2011/01/what-is-a-constructivist-classroom/#sthash.sFZtoMpc.dpuf
Constructivist education is when . . .
. . . learners actively construct meaning by building on background knowledge, experience and reflect on those experiences.
- See more at: http://imaginationsoup.net/2011/01/what-is-a-constructivist-classroom/#sthash.sFZtoMpc.dpuf
 
This definition was inspired by the Model of Social Constructivism that I found on a blog created by Dartz Dodd. 

Constructivist Perspective

Our final perspective is the constructivist perspective. Constructivism proposes the idea that the learner constructs, rather than absorbs, knowledge from his or her experiences. According to the constructivism perspective:
  • The learner is self-directed, creative and innovative.
  • The learner is encouraged to learn truths about the environment and the world by arriving at conclusions based on his or her background, culture or worldview.
  • The responsibility of learning falls primarily on the learner, while the teacher's role is that of a facilitator.
  • Collaborative learning is also a key component of this perspective.


The article by Beaumi Kim defines Social Constructivism as: 
      
          
http://my-ecoach.com/online/resources/734/vygotsky1.jpg
Lev Vygotsky
 The video below defines Lev Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development 



http://oaks.nvg.org/w/bruner.jpg
Jerome Bruner

Bruner-graphic
Jerome Bruner's term "scaffolding refers to the steps taken to reduce the degree of freedom in carrying out some task so that the child can concentrate on the difficult skill she is in the process of acquiring" (Bruner, 1978, p. 19). "Scaffolding involves helpful, structured interaction between an adult and a child with the aim of helping the child achieve a specific goal."

               
                                                           Constructivism in Education

Middle Childhood


                                 Middle Childhood and Development
Note: If this page shows up blank, click this link Middle Childhood Poster to be directed to webpage for the poster I created on Glogster.

Social Constructivist School Age Program


In a social constructivist school age program, children are observing, exploring, inquiring, co-constructing their own knowledge through experiences and interacting with peers, educators and the environment. The educator creates provocation and than set-up the environment with materials and resources for students to explore with. The educators interacts with the students rather than dictates. 

Exploring, Observe, Environment, and Documentation

Reggio Emilia

Loris Malaguzzi

Reggio Emilia


Reggio Emilia Approach Key Principles:
The Image of Child: 

The Role of the Teacher: 
The Role of Parent:
Children are Connected:
The Role of the Environment:
Art is at the Core:
Pedagogical Documentation:
                                          
                                      Carla Rinaldi's definition of Making Learning Visible

The Many Languages of Children:
Reggio
Hundred Languages of Children was a quote by Loris Malaguzzi that I found on the flipbook and PDF of Re-imagining Childhood by Carla Rinaldi that I came across on Diane Kashin's pinterest board. Re-imagining Childhood flipbook is "inspirational  for those who would like to gain more knowledge on the Reggio Emilia approach"



   
The following link will direct you to more Key Principles

Note: The picture link for The Key Principles of Reggio Emilia

My Past Educational Experience: Behaviourism

Education & Oppression- Banking Concept and Behaviourism
                                     

I was a student that was "filled with the content of the teacher's narration" I was a student that was also expected to "repeat that narration on exams and quizzes". Paulo Freire didn't support or agree with Banking Concept of Education, it was an education theory that was described in his book "Pedagogy of the Oppressed. The banking concept is similar to John Locke's epistemological theory of tabula rasa (blank slates). 
This Collage was created using befunky, the photos that were using are Group Classroom Setting Individual Classroom Setting Teacher in Control  and cover of Paulo Freire's book. 

Tabula Rasa


Behaviourism



My Education Experience

Story:
I always thought learning was where the teacher controlled what I learned because that's the way I was "taught" while growing up. I always remember being in the classroom where the teacher spoke and I "listened". Let's be honest listening involves paying attention to what is being said by the teacher. I remember "hearing" what the teacher but I always remembered zoning out because of the lack of interaction between the teacher and students. My responsibility as a student was to memorize and repeat the content that I was "learned" in class. Do I remember what I learned when I was younger, I would say I do not. 

My passion is working with children but I hated education, that was until I had to read Pedagogy of the Oppressed at York University for Children's Studies. I hated education because I thought it oppressed students. I was wrong because education can be liberating for students but that's in the approach that the teacher takes. 

                                        

My Education Experience Now: Connectivism




The approach to education is Connectivism and to the pedagogical approach that is being used in Social Constructivism in Education: Middle Course EAD 504 is 21st century pedagogy. The Connectivism theory connects students with other students in the classroom, their educators, students are also connected and  are able to relate to the world using social media such as twitter, pinterest, facebook etc. 


Connected Learning


21st Pedagogy

Connect Learning

'21st Century Pedagogy'