Sunday, June 19, 2016

Reflective Journal 5

Describe:

This week’s reading focused on constructivist learning theory. This theory suggests that “learners must individually discover and transform complex information if they are to make it their own,” (Slavin, p. 218). Constructivist learning strategies are known as student-centered instruction because responsibility for learning is placed in the hands of the students and the teacher serves as a facilitator who relinquishes control of most classroom activities. The chapter also focuses on cooperative learning methods and their importance for student development.

Constructivist thought is based on principles developed and researched by Lev Vygotsky and Jean Piaget. These theorists believed that learning is a social activity and should be done in groups that promote conceptual change. Four key ideas from Vygotsky influence what is modern constructivism. These ideas include: social learning, the zone of proximal development, cognitive apprenticeship, and mediated learning. Slavin goes on to introduce instructional approaches that support these pillars of constructivist thought. Top-down processing, cooperative learning, discovery learning, self-regulated learning, and scaffolding are all approaches to teach that keep the learner at the center of instruction. All focus on critical thinking and the teacher simply serves as a guide.

Slavin also introduces appropriate constructivist approaches for the content areas. In reading, Slavin suggests a reciprocal teaching method. It can be thought of as scaffolding for the development of critical thinking about a text. The teacher starts out by modeling questions that they think of that can deepen their understanding of the text they are reading, and gradually the responsibility for coming up with guiding questions is placed into the hands of the students. In writing, Slavin suggests using specific strategies. One example could be using the Lucy Calkins model of writing in which students plan, draft, revise, edit, and publish their writing. In this process, the students are checking their own work and are learning what works and doesn’t work by finding mistakes in their work and the work of others. In the area of mathematics, Slavin suggest many different ways to incorporate student-centered learning, these include: Supporting Ten-Structured Thinking, Conceptually Based Instruction, Problem Centered Mathematics Projects, and Cognitively Guided Instruction. In science, teacher should offer opportunities for discovery and hands-on learning.

Cooperative learning places students into groups in order to learn from one another. Most of the time, these groups are made up of students with different ability levels. This way of grouping challenges students’ communication skills and ways of thinking. Skills that must be taught along with what is learned in cooperative groups is how to question, listen actively, give thorough explanations, and not put each other down (p. 230). In these groups, students must work together and have independent accountability for their own learning. The teacher serves as a guide and helps students to learn, but ultimately the goal is for students to learn from one another.

Analyze:

Constructivist learning theories are highly beneficial for students, however in the age of standardized testing that we ae currently in, it is difficult to use the approaches associated with the theory. I believe that students learn best through exploration, asking critical questions, and thinking ‘outside the box,’ and that is what constructivist theory is all about. The teacher in the classroom should not drone on and on and expect students to learn. For students to truly understand material, they must interact with it, question it, and hear the thoughts of others. Often times teachers give information from one side and students are not challenged in their thinking but are expected to agree with the teacher. I think that this chapter makes it plainly visible that students do not truly grow to understand material in this manner. The best way for students to learn is from being challenged within their own zone of proximal development.

The discussion board this week was filled with many different responses. Most teachers had concerns about their students not staying on task during cooperative learning activities or worried about some students not doing their own work and taking credit for the work of their peers. My colleague Pam talked about how she has been incorporating more problem-based learning in her classroom and suggested that each student be held accountable through the use of peer-review rubrics and team incentives. I think that both of these ideas are great for helping students to self-regulate and maintain motivation.

Reflect:
Significance of the concept concerning the context of my classroom…

            My classroom is where learning all begins. In pre-k, students are stepping into a learning environment for the first time and are being introduced to new concepts by the hour. In my classroom, I can use constructivist learning theory in loads of different ways. I hope to incorporate more opportunity for discovery learning and questioning in my classroom because I believe that this will drive students to become life-long learners. Having their first experience in a classroom be one of critical thinking will set the foundation for quality learning later in their school careers.
           
Handling a situation differently based on this learned information…

            After reading this chapter, I was reminded of the importance of scaffolding in the classroom. It is essential to use scaffolding in every area of my classroom- from learning how to play with others to learning letter sounds. I hope to be able to assess each student and offer them the proper amount of support while also allowing each student to become more and more responsible for their own learning.

My learning confirmed my knowledge about teaching…
           
            This week’s reading confirmed my understanding of the importance of student-centered learning. I cannot force every student to learn everything that I present, but if I provide students with opportunities and tools for thinking on their own, I am giving them a better shot at developing their own abilities to learn and understand. Student-centered learning places the focus where it should be- on the learner.

How I feel about the concept…
           
            I feel that it is critical to incorporate constructivist learning principles in the classroom. Without these principles, students can become dependent upon teachers to give them the right answers. Students must learn to think for themselves, to ask questions, and to communicate with their peers. It is not only the job of a teacher to help students understand information, but it also our jobs to prepare students for success by giving them the tools they will need in the real-world. Those skills do not include being expectant upon someone to always give the answer, but they do include learning to think for oneself. This process should begin at an early age. Children should be challenged to answer those critical questions and think critically as well!

Reference


Slavin, R. E. (2012). Educational psychology: Theory and practice (10th ed.). Boston, M

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