The Distinction Between Constructivism And Constructionism
by Terry Heick
Whereas engaged on the studying idea visible overview, I spotted I couldn’t clearly clarify the distinction between constructivism and constructionism.
So I did a little analysis and initially didn’t discover a lot to ease my confusion.
The Distinction Between Constructivism And Constructionism
Constructivism is–roughly–the identical factor. So what’s the distinction between constructivism and constructivism?
Definition of Constructivism
Constructivism is an academic idea through which learners actively assemble their very own understanding and information by means of experiences and reflection on these experiences. It emphasizes the significance of learners’ prior information, social interactions, and contextual studying to construct new understanding.
Definition of Constructionism
Constructionism extends constructivist concepts by emphasizing studying by means of creating tangible artifacts, akin to fashions or tasks. It promotes the concept learners assemble information most successfully when they’re actively concerned in making one thing that’s personally significant.
Edith Ackerman, a “Swiss-born American psychologist who explored the interactions between developmental psychology, play, studying and design. A graduate of the College of Geneva, she held everlasting or visiting positions at a number of establishments in america and Europe, together with the MIT Media Lab,” defined…
“What’s the distinction between Piaget’s constructivism and Papert’s “constructionism”? Past the mere play on the phrases, I feel the excellence holds, and that integrating each views can enrich our understanding of how individuals study and develop. Piaget’s constructivism presents a window into what kids are all in favour of, and capable of obtain, at totally different levels of their improvement. The idea describes how kids’s methods of doing and considering evolve, and beneath which circumstance kids usually tend to let go of—or maintain onto— their at present held views.
Papert is all in favour of how learners have interaction in a dialog with [their own or other people’s] artifacts…and the way these conversations facilitate the development of latest information.
Edith Ackerman, Psychologist
“Piaget means that kids have superb causes to not abandon their worldviews simply because another person, be it an skilled, tells them they’re mistaken. Papert’s constructionism, in distinction, focuses extra on the artwork of studying, or ‘studying to study’, and on the importance of constructing issues in studying. Papert is all in favour of how learners have interaction in a dialog with [their own or other people’s] artifacts, and the way these conversations enhance self-directed studying, finally facilitating the development of latest information. He stresses the significance of instruments, media, and context in human improvement. Integrating each views illuminates the processes by which people come to make sense of their expertise, regularly optimizing their interactions with the world.”
You’ll be able to learn the full pdf right here.
So What Is The Distinction Between Constructivism And Constructionism?
Constructivism
Idea Key Thought: How individuals study by developing their understanding and information of the world by means of expertise and reflection.
Influential Theorists: Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky
Key Parts Of Constructivism
1. Lively Studying: Learners actively take part of their studying course of.
2. Information Building: Studying is about developing information somewhat than simply absorbing data.
3. Prior Information: Learners construct new information primarily based on present information.
4. Social Interplay: Studying typically entails social interactions and collaboration.
5. Contextual Studying: Studying is contextual and situational.
Constructionism
Idea Ley Thought: This method extends constructivist concepts into studying by making, emphasizing the creation of tangible merchandise or artifacts.
Influential Theorist: Seymour Papert
Key Parts of Constructionism
1. Studying by Making: Information building is handiest when learners are actively concerned in making one thing tangible.
2. Mission-Based mostly Studying: Emphasis on tasks that lead to a tangible artifact or product.
3. Reflection and Iteration: Learners replicate on their creations and iterate on their designs.
4. Computational Pondering: Typically entails integrating expertise and computational instruments.
5. Private Relevance: Initiatives are pushed by learners’ pursuits and private relevance.
Abstract
Constructivism: Focuses on the person’s means of developing information by means of experiences and reflection.
Constructionism: Emphasizes studying by creating tangible artifacts, incorporating expertise and private pursuits.
Similarities Between Constructivism and Constructionism
Identical: Lively studying and the significance of prior information
Examples Of Constructivism
Instance 1: Studying in a Classroom
Situation: A science class is studying about ecosystems.
Exercise: The trainer units up stations with numerous ecosystems (pond, forest, desert) and gives supplies akin to photos, plant samples, and soil sorts.
Constructivist Method: College students rotate by means of the stations, observe the supplies, and talk about what they discover about every ecosystem in small teams. They then create an idea map exhibiting how totally different ecosystem parts work together.
Consequence: Via lively engagement and dialogue, college students assemble an understanding of ecosystems by connecting new data with their prior information.
Instance 2: Baby Studying
Situation: A baby is studying about fractions.
Exercise: The kid is given a set of fraction tiles and a recipe to be halved.
Constructivist Method: The kid makes use of the fraction tiles to visually and bodily manipulate the elements of the recipe, experimenting with totally different combos to know how fractions work.
Consequence: Via hands-on expertise, the kid understands fractional relationships by actively participating with the supplies and making use of fractions to a real-world state of affairs.
Examples of Constructionism
Instance 1: Studying in a Classroom
Situation: A center college expertise class is studying about coding.
Exercise: The trainer assigns a mission the place college students create their very own online game utilizing a programming platform like Scratch.
Constructionist Method: College students brainstorm recreation concepts, write the code, design characters, and construct the sport. They take a look at their video games, get suggestions from friends, and make revisions.
Consequence: Via making a tangible product (a online game), college students deepen their understanding of coding ideas, logic, and problem-solving.
Instance 2: Baby Studying a few science matter
Situation: A baby is all in favour of studying about electrical energy
Exercise: The kid is given a easy electronics package with wires, a battery, and a lightweight bulb.
Constructionist Method: The kid is requested to construct a primary circuit, experimenting with totally different connections to see what makes the sunshine bulb activate. They could additionally attempt including a swap or a number of bulbs.
Consequence: By developing a working circuit, the kid learns in regards to the rules of electrical energy, circuits, and conductivity by means of hands-on creation and experimentation.
