Reflection #2

REFLECTION #2

The Constructivist learning method being used today has gone through several revisions in the past seven years or so and now emphasizes several elements: from Situation & Groupings, to Bridge & Questions, and finally Exhibit and Reflections. This system is to enhance a methodology in the teacher planning and in the reflection process. The teacher explains a situation for the students to take in and students are then separated into groups along with the materials needed. The students then create a bridge, and they fill in the gaps between what they have already learned in the past and what they are truly interested in learning. The constructivist’s method is based on our past and how we construct what and how we do things today and our reactions and beliefs and we then interpret objects and events accordingly. I believe our experiences today and how we perceive them are formed by our experiences. Our knowledge is based on experiences and personal interpretations of them. The difference beween the Constructivist method and the Behaviorist method is that the Behaviorists are stimuli driven & consist of setting goals, as well as outlined practices to be done in groups as well as alone with the teacher’s guidance all the way to project’s closure. The Constructivist theory is also organized and has a process, but the Behaviorist uses a more traditional method emphasizing and placing great emphasis in motivation & reinforcement (stimuli) when planning and presenting a lesson. The students interpret the information based on their own life’s experiences and then the teacher steps in to guide them along. Implying skills & attitude do not necessarily equate to knowledge, and that knowledge is simply facts & information. Assessments are crucial to this theory and teachers design their situations based on the students’ interests and needs. Behaviorists focus on overt behaviors and observed and measure them whenever possible. The theory considers the mind, highly susceptible to stimulus and that it can be observed, dismissing the complex thought process occurring in the mind at any given time. Pavlov’s conditioning of dogs is a fine example of classical conditioning or stimulus substitution

likening it to Behaviorism.

EME2040-Introduction to Educational Technology

Prof. Joseph D. McNair

Ernie Joya-D51-07-9182