A question on concept based constructivism
My question is:
How effective is constructivism in learning conceptual information.
I read a few articles on constructivism. The prevailing idea is that one learns something by doing it. You can’t really understand the issues involved in learning a subject truly without first attempting work in the field.
One of the articles I read: “ C o n s t r u c t i v i s m i n C o m p u t e r S c i e n c e E d u c a t i o n”, published in the J o u r n a l o f C o m p u t e r s i n M a t h e m a t i c s a n d S c i e n c e T e a c h i n g by M o r d e c h a i B e n - A r I from the D e p a r t m e n t o f S c i e n c e T e a c h i n g , W e i z m a n n I n s t i t u t e o f S c i e n c e, had some really great points. He made it clear that when you are learning on a conceptual level you must attempt to work with the material rather than simply regurgitate the same facts everyone else came up with.
Understanding c concept is best achieved by presenting the learner with ownership of the problem that is to be solved. The best way to do this is to present a problem that must be solved using the skills everyone in the course has and working to an answer as a consensus. There is no benefit for the person who reads ahead and memorizes answers, one must master the concept and not the details; after all, the concept is what leads to mastery not fact memorizing.
Constructivism is a powerful tool when employed in the correct context with the correct supporting elements. This theory helps to provide the motivation needed for the learner to gain ownership over the material.
Lee
posted by Lee Rodrigues @ 5:37 PM
9 Comments:
What a great point, well written, well said!
Yes good point Lee! Similar to Experiential Learning,no? You begin the cycle with the experience, observe and reflect, form generalizaitons and test in new situations. Problem solve, make it your own.
Wow, I didn't know we had two Lee's in the class! One that wrote the comment and one that commented on it!LOL
I totally agree that doing is more than memorizing...yet students who memorize and get 100 on the quiz are the ones who are rewarded - even if they can't apply what they memorize!
You know, I swear I posted a comment on Saturday morning; where did it go?
Anyway, you make a good point about the rote memorization. I can't imagine how memorization would get you very far with computer science, especially. Coding requires creativity and understanding of the rules/concepts/syntax. Though I suppose you could get through the syntax part by memorizing it. So...how does this relate to "No Child Left Behind" now? With all this testing, does this lead us back to memorization instead of learning?
With today's technology the fact are at our fingertips. If we want to know what date an event happened or who stated a particular theory we can search for it on the computer. Students need to have an understanding of what they are being taught and take ownership of the information so they can use recall enough of the what they have been taught to search for the fact. For example, understanding the events that lead up to the Civil War was held here in the US between the north and south. Helping students understand how each side felt and why they went to war. Students can always locate what years the war started and ended, what states were in the north and south or which generals were in charge by looking it up in a book or on the Internet. Constructivism provides the framework for teaching students to relate and understand an event or problem.
With today's technology the fact are at our fingertips. If we want to know what date an event happened or who stated a particular theory we can search for it on the computer. Students need to have an understanding of what they are being taught and take ownership of the information so they can use recall enough of the what they have been taught to search for the fact. For example, understanding the events that lead up to the Civil War was held here in the US between the north and south. Helping students understand how each side felt and why they went to war. Students can always locate what years the war started and ended, what states were in the north and south or which generals were in charge by looking it up in a book or on the Internet. Constructivism provides the framework for teaching students to relate and understand an event or problem.
Bergson has a great approach to the problem posing when it really comes to learning;he says , in his famous "Matter and Memory" always, the solution comes of posing right questions, the question that truely comes of understing the parameters of the concept, or idea in the focus;baddly posed question,that they do not have a genuine connection to the problem will never be solved truely;therefore ther is also a genuine need to really know how to pose a question!a true question in its own setting opens up the way to slve it.
Learning the concepts and practicing with the material will help student’s workout the details about the concept. However motivation is the key and the learner's environment often dictates the learner’s attitude.
Learning the concepts and practicing with the material will help student’s workout the details about the concept. However motivation is the key and the learner environment often dictates the learner’s attitude.
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