The constructivist approach
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The document discusses the constructivist approach to teaching social studies, emphasizing that learning involves constructing one's own understanding through reflecting on experiences. It outlines key principles such as the importance of meaning-making, understanding the context of both wholes and parts, and recognizing students' existing mental models. The teaching strategy focuses on big concepts, student interests, collaborative learning, and continuous assessment as integral to the learning process.
The constructivist approach
- 1. The Constructivist Approach to the Teaching of Social Studies
- 2. Constructivism is a philosophy of learning founded on the premise that, by reflecting on our experiences, we construct our own understanding of the world we live in. Each of us generates our own “rules” and “mental models” which we use to make sense of our own experiences. Learning, therefore, is simply the process of adjusting our mental models to accommodate new experiences.
- 3. Guiding Principles of Constructivism: 1. Learning is a search for meaning. Therefore, learning must start with the issues around which students are actively trying to construct meaning. 2. Meaning requires understanding wholes as well as parts. And parts must be understood in the context of wholes. Therefore, the learning process focuses on primary concepts, not isolated facts.
- 4. 3. In order to teach well, we must understand the mental models that the students use to perceive the world and the assumptions they make to support those models. 4. The purpose of learning is for an individual to construct his or her own meaning, not just memorize the "right” answers and regurgitate someone else's meaning. Since education is inherently interdisciplinary, the only valuable way to measure learning is to make the assessment part of the learning process, ensuring it provides students with information on the quality of learning.
- 5. Five Principles of Constructivist Learning Posing problems of emerging relevance to learners Seeking and valuing student's points of view Structuring learning around primary concepts Adapting curriculum to address students suppositions Assessing students learning in the context of teaching
- 6. Constructivist Approach to the Teaching Social Studies: a) Curriculum emphasizes big concepts, beginning with the whole and expanding to include the parts b) Pursuit of student questions and interests is valued c) Materials include primary sources of material and manipulative materials d) Learning is interactive, building on what the student already knows.
- 7. e) Teacher's have the dialogue with students, helping students construct their own knowledge. f) Teacher's role is interactive, rooted in negotiation. g) Assessment includes student works, observation, and points of view, as well as tests. Process is as important as product. h) Knowledge is seen as dynamic, over changing with experiences. I) Students work primarily in groups – collaborative learning.
- 8. Thank you for Listening!!!