Constructivism and Multiple Intelligences Lesson 6 PDF

Learning Theories: Constructivism and Multiple Intelligences Constructivism What is constructivism? It is one of several theories of learning, building upon what cognitive theorists discovered about how mental structures are formed. John Dewey was one of the founders of this...

Learning Theories: Constructivism and Multiple Intelligences Constructivism What is constructivism? It is one of several theories of learning, building upon what cognitive theorists discovered about how mental structures are formed. John Dewey was one of the founders of this theory. He believed that for learning to occur, education needed to move away from behavioral methods and instead create models of teaching and learning where students were actively involved in the learning process.  What underlying principles is constructivism based upon? Each learner constructs his or her own knowledge based upon his/her unique experiences with the world and the meaning he or she gives to those experiences. Learners build their own knowledge by exploring environments, manipulating objects, testing hypotheses, and by drawing conclusions. In other words, learners learn by seeing, doing, and connecting. NB-Notice the active verbs here(seeing,doing and connecting).  The teacher’s role in the constructivist classroom The teacher’s role is to create the activities and environment in which students can learn. The teacher must develop problem-oriented learning activities that have a meaning, are purposeful, and are based on student interests. The teacher must provide a multitude of resources from which learners can construct their understanding (this means text, pictures, sounds, manipulatives, community members, web resources, and more).  Example of a problem learning activity in the maths classroom A man travelled 450km on the first day and 565km on the second day. The third day he travelled double the distance he travelled on the first day. On the fourth day he reaches his destination, which was 2 500km from his starting point. How far did he travel on the fourth day?  Solving the problem 1.Write down all the important facts: 1 st day = 450 km 2nd day = 565 km 3rd day = 450x2= 900 (double the distance travelled on the first day). 2. Add the distances travelled on 1,2 and 3rd days 450km+ 565+ 900 km = 1 915km 3. Subtract the total of the distance travelled on the 3 days (1 915km) from the total distance travelled for 4 days(2500km) 2500km- 1 915km= 585km  Role of the teacher-continued The teacher must construct a classroom atmosphere where students respect each other and where each person can contribute; this atmosphere must also be one in which there is room for more than one correct answer. Collaborative learning becomes a part of the learning environment, as does the opportunity for interdisciplinary learning (after all, isolated knowledge is meaningless). The teacher helps students understand what they need to know in order to solve problems.  Technology Technology can help to foster this type of learning environment in several ways. Computers have had a powerful influence in decentralizing the learning process. The limited access to computers in the classroom forces teachers to figure out how to best utilize the resources they have–and often student-centered, collaborative groups work well  Multiple Intelligences Howard Gardner gives us an alternative glimpse at how learning occurs. His theory stems from brain research. Gardner proposes that there are eight intelligences (possibly nine, though the ninth has not yet been totally validated). His theory purports that various areas of the brain are responsible for different functions, and if one area of the brain is damaged, certain abilities are affected. His belief is that we have intelligence in all eight areas (maybe nine), but that we are stronger in some than in others and that what makes each of us unique is how those intelligences interact.  1.Verbal/Linguistic intelligence involves the successful manipulation of words and phrases to convey ideas, feelings, and moods. People with strengths in this area think in words and have the ability to use words effectively both in writing and in speaking.  2.Logical/Mathematical intelligence Logical/mathematical intelligence been also termed "scientific thinking," employs the use of observation, induction, and deduction to solve problems. People with strengths in this intelligence like to work with numbers. They are very analytical and tend to think sequentially; they seek to find patterns and relationships.  3.Intrapersonal intelligence It involves the ability to form an accurate model of one's own self and be able to use that model to operate efficiently in life. People with a strength in this intelligence are typically very introspective. They are self-motivated and disciplined. They will shy away from team activities when given a choice. Independent, self-paced instruction often works well for learners exhibiting this strength.  4.Visual/Spatial intelligence It is the ability to form a mental model of a spatial world and to maneuver and operate using that model. People with a strength in this area tend to think in images. They know the location of everything and enjoy designing things.  5.Musical intelligence It is the ability to recognize pitch and rhythm and use this ability to create a musical composition that is culturally acceptable and pleasing. People tend to think in notes, rhythms, or beats. They notice non-verbal background noises in the environment that others overlook. They need music in the background to study, and if there is none, they might hum or whistle.  6.Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence It is the ability to solve problems or to fashion products using one's whole body, or parts of the body.“ Learners with this strength need to be physically involved in the learning process. They would rather participate than observe and they respond well to non-verbal cues. These people need to move around; they are sometimes labeled erroneously as hyperactive because they have a hard time being still for long time periods.  7.Interpersonal intelligence It is the ability to understand other people: what motivates them, how they work, how to work with them.. People with this strength not only enjoy working with others, but actually learn better and more by doing so.  8.Naturalist Intelligence refers to the ability to recognize and classify plants, minerals, and animals, including rocks and grass and all variety of flora and fauna. This intelligence includes observing, understanding and organizing patterns in the natural environment, including plants and animals. People with this strength enjoy collecting objects from the natural world, observing nature, noticing changes in the environment, caring for pets, and related activities.