Group+5+Constructivism

=Constructivism=
 * A philosophy founded on the premise of reflecting on our experiences to make sense of our world.
 * Adjusting ourselves to accomodate new experiences.
 * There are several guiding principles to this theory:
 * **Learning is a search for meaning.**
 * Meaning is an understanding of the //whole and its parts.//
 * In order to teach well, we //must understand the mental models students use// to perceive the world around them.
 * **What about the curriculum?**
 * Calls for an //elimination of the standardized curriculum.//
 * Promotes customized curriculum.
 * Educators should focus on making connections between facts and helping the students make better understandings.
 * **What about assessments?**
 * Calls for the //elimination of standardized testing and formal grading.//
 * Assessment is used in the learning process so students can track their progress.
 * For more information: [|Funderstanding: Constructivism]


 * Important contributors to Constructivism: Vygotsky, Piaget, Dewey, Vico, Rorty and Bruner.
 * **[|Vygotsky's Social Development Theory]** is an important foundation to Constructivism.
 * Social interaction has a fundamental role in cognitive development.
 * The need for a **More Knowledgeable Other** (MKO) who is usually a teacher, coach, parent or other adult.
 * **The Zone of Proximal Development** (ZPD) is the distance between the student's ability to perform a task with help from an adult or peer and performing the task themselves.
 * For more information: [|Learning Theory: Constructivism]


 * [|Constructivism Outline] is a good source on how to apply constructivism theory to the practical classroom.
 * [|Here is an example] of a constructivist lesson plan on DNA for use in a high school setting.