(Michel Lacoursiere)
Constructivism
Constructivism is a theory that basically explains that people construct their own understanding and knowledge of something based on experiences. Students are required to ask questions, conduct experiments, and explore through real-world problem solving. Essentially, constructivism is a way for students to be in control of their learning and be responsible for their own understanding of the content. The teacher is more of a facilitator, rather than an authority figure (Concept p.1).
Situated Learning Theory
To go along with the constructivism theory, the situated learning theory has the same basic set up as well. Students are learning through activities, context, and culture. The learning that takes place is conducted by the students through a variety of authentic activities, to give the content real-world applications (Lave p.1). Essentially, both learning theories work together to have students exploring learning, rather than just sitting in a classroom listening to a teacher and taking notes. With the varied learning students that are presented in today's classroom, it is the teacher's job to involve as many different authentic learning experiences for their students.
Constructivism is a theory that basically explains that people construct their own understanding and knowledge of something based on experiences. Students are required to ask questions, conduct experiments, and explore through real-world problem solving. Essentially, constructivism is a way for students to be in control of their learning and be responsible for their own understanding of the content. The teacher is more of a facilitator, rather than an authority figure (Concept p.1).
Situated Learning Theory
To go along with the constructivism theory, the situated learning theory has the same basic set up as well. Students are learning through activities, context, and culture. The learning that takes place is conducted by the students through a variety of authentic activities, to give the content real-world applications (Lave p.1). Essentially, both learning theories work together to have students exploring learning, rather than just sitting in a classroom listening to a teacher and taking notes. With the varied learning students that are presented in today's classroom, it is the teacher's job to involve as many different authentic learning experiences for their students.
Constructivism and Situated Learning Theory in the Classroom
For example, a math teacher can integrate the constructivism and situated learning theory into a lesson with percents. Instead of listening to the teacher, taking notes, and completing a worksheet, the teacher can make a real-world application that will be extremely authentic for their students. The students can receive a job that tells them how much their yearly salary is. After they know their salary, they have to take out taxes and insurance, and determine how much their monthly income will be. They will be required to go apartment shopping, and choose an apartment based on their monthly budget they come up with. Then, they can determine how they will spend their money on groceries, eating out, gas, car payments, etc. This activity is an engaging way for students to understand the way percents works and how money works as well. The teacher is more of a facilitator in that they are making sure the students are coming up with reasonable budgets and figuring out their incomes correctly, but essentially the students are in charge during the activity. This activity will also be one that will be essential to their own success once they grow up. Overall, the constructivism and situated learning theory are excellent ways to get students active in real-world problem solving activities and take the front seat in their own learning.
For example, a math teacher can integrate the constructivism and situated learning theory into a lesson with percents. Instead of listening to the teacher, taking notes, and completing a worksheet, the teacher can make a real-world application that will be extremely authentic for their students. The students can receive a job that tells them how much their yearly salary is. After they know their salary, they have to take out taxes and insurance, and determine how much their monthly income will be. They will be required to go apartment shopping, and choose an apartment based on their monthly budget they come up with. Then, they can determine how they will spend their money on groceries, eating out, gas, car payments, etc. This activity is an engaging way for students to understand the way percents works and how money works as well. The teacher is more of a facilitator in that they are making sure the students are coming up with reasonable budgets and figuring out their incomes correctly, but essentially the students are in charge during the activity. This activity will also be one that will be essential to their own success once they grow up. Overall, the constructivism and situated learning theory are excellent ways to get students active in real-world problem solving activities and take the front seat in their own learning.
Reference
Links:
http://constructivism512.pbworks.com/w/page/16397300/Constructivism%20Concept%20Map
Lave, J. (2016). Situated
Learning Theory (Lave) - Learning Theories. Retrieved December 04, 2016, from
https://www.learning-theories.com/situated-learning-theory-lave.html
http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/constructivism/index.html
