The constructivist approach to teaching is a model which I have learned a lot about thus far in my graduate studies. It is actually a strategy that I have heard of previously but had not known the term "constructivism". A friend of mine that is in education questioned my method of teaching and informed me of some of the constructivist strategies but did not associate it with the term. As I implemented some of their suggested techniques I found it to be effective. Through my classroom experiences I became aware that true understanding can not be taught be the teacher but developed by the student. These experiences make me very receptive to the constructivist approach and interested in developing effective strategies of implementing constructivism.
Some of the things that imply constructivism is taking place is more of a learning community in the classroom. An environment where the students are interacting. The teacher is more of a facilitator and sets the tone of the classroom. The teacher would lead the lesson through effective questioning and the students would be able to make connections to build on their prior knowledge to draw accurate conclusions relevant to the lesson. The effectiveness of the constructivist model still lies in the hands of the teacher, and as a new educator I feel that it is vital for me to learn and become an excellent constructivist.
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3 comments:
I guess my question is how will you gauge you success? What will you use to determine if you are an 'excellent constructivist?
Sounds like the transition for you in your classroom was pretty easy. That makes me feel a little bit more confident in this whole thing actually working. ;-)
Imagine if one day soon we have to put on our job description "facilitator" instead of "teacher." Do you think they would start paying us less since we wouldn't be teaching? If they wanted to try, maybe would should go to performance based pay, because surely students would be doing better on "The Test" that everyone is so certain is the only determinate of a student's success.
I am looking foward to the same opportunity. My questions are about the student evaluation process. Do you give a chapter test? How do you get the feedback? I have much to learn.
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