Easing into Constructivism
Just as students do not easily let go of their ideas, neither do school boards, principals, parents, or, for that matter, teachers. Ideas like student autonomy and learner driven inquiry are not easily accepted. Required course content and externally applied assessments are realities that teachers must accommodate. A teacher inspired to change to constructivist instruction must incorporate those realities into her approach.
She might begin gradually, trying one or two “constructivist” explorations in the regular curriculum. Listening to students as they discuss ideas together is a good way to start shifting thebalance of responsibility to thelearner. Another step is using primary sources and raw data as the basis of inquiry, rather than relying solely on the text.
If students begin thinking about accumulated knowledge as an evolving explanation of natural phenomena, their questions can take on an exciting dimension.
In the next two or three decades,research will change the way most of the accepted facts of today are perceived. Our challenge is to foster students’ abilities so they can continue to learn and build their understanding based on the changing world around them.