1。5。1。1 The learning theory of constructivism 来自优Y尔L论W文Q网wWw.YouERw.com 加QQ7520~18766

    Constructionist learning is when learners construct mental models to understand the world around them。 Constructivism advocates student-centered, discovery learning where students use information they already know to acquire more knowledge。 Students learn through participation in project-based learning where they make connections between different ideas and areas of knowledge facilitated by the teacher through coaching rather than using lectures or step-by-step guidance。 Further, constructivism holds that learning can happen most effectively when people are active in making tangible objects in the real world。 In this sense, constructivism is connected with experiential learning and builds on Jean Piaget's epistemological theory of constructivism。 Seymour Papert defined constructivism in a proposal to the National Science Fondation entitled Constructivism: A New Opportunity for Elementary Science Education as follows: The word constructivism is a mnemonic for two aspects of the theory of science education underlying this project。 From constructivist theories of psychology we take a view of learning as a reconstruction rather than as a transmission of knowledge。 Then we extend the idea of manipulative materials to the idea that learning is most effective when part of an activity the learner experiences as constructing a meaningful product。(1971)

    Constructionist learning involves students drawing their own conclusions through creative experimentation and the making of social objects。 The constructionist teacher takes on a mediational role rather than adopting an instructional role。 Teaching "at" students is replaced by assisting them to understand—and help one another to understand—problems in a hands-on way。 The teacher's role is not to be a lecturer but a facilitator who coaches students to attaining their own goals。

    1。5。1。2 The teaching theory of constructivism

    Constructivist approach teaching methods are based on constructivist learning theory。 Along with John Dewey, Jean Piaget researched childhood development and education。 Both Dewey and Piaget were very influential in the development of informal education。Dewey's idea of influential education suggests that education must engage with and enlarge experience and the exploration of thinking and reflection associated with the role of educators。 Piaget's role in the constructivist teaching suggest that we learn by expanding our knowledge by experiences which are generated through play from infancy to adulthood which are necessary for learning。 Their theories are now encompassed in the broader movement of progressive education。 Constructivist learning theory says that all knowledge is constructed from a base of prior knowledge。 Children are not a blank slate and knowledge cannot be imparted without the child making sense of it according to his or her current conceptions。 Therefore, children learn best when they are allowed to construct a personal understanding based on experiencing things and reflecting on those experiences。

    In the constructivist classroom, the teacher's role is to prompt and facilitate discussion。 Thus, the teacher's main focus should be on guiding students by asking questions that will lead them to develop their own conclusions on the subject。 Parker J。 Palmer suggests that good teachers join self, subject, and students in the fabric of life because they teach from an integral and unpided self, they manifest in their own lives, and evoke in their students, a capacity for connectedness"。David Jonassen identified three major roles for facilitators to support students in constructivist learning environments:modeling, coaching and scaffolding。(Laffey, J。 et al。 1997)论文网

1。5。2 Researches about lead-ins in English classes