Distance Education

Constructivism Summary

Discussion Responses

How does CTGV's work relate to constructivism?

Student2 off our discussion with the following thoughts: This group [Cognition and Technology group at Vanderbilt] designed its materials according to the constructivism principles using the cognitive tools to solve problems. The Jasper series is based on the assumption that thinking is enhanced by access to powerful concepts and not simply through access to a general set of thinking skills.

Student5 joined in contributing: "I believe the Jasper Project is based heavily on constructivism. In the "Jasper in More Detail" page, it is said: 'The Jasper series is based on the assumption that thinking is enhanced by access to powerful concepts and not simply through access to a general set of thinking skills. Therefore, Jasper is designed to teach thinking in contexts that are rich in content as well as in the need for general strategies.' These thoughts parallel constructivism as I've read in the literature where students construct their own knowledge through access to rich environments which facilitate learning. "

Student3 "thought the Jasper Woodbury project was (is?) Constructivist in its reliance on reasoning and practicality; its de-emphasis of the teacher and its reliance on student experience for learning."

Student4 added ". . . I believe that CTGV has made a substantial contribution to furthering constructivsim by increasing our overall awareness of the way that technology can support or make possible constructivism in the classroom. Others have likewise echoed this belief. For example, "Collins (1991) states, 'So, inadvertently, technology seems to be coming down on the side of constructivists, who have been trying--unsuccessfully to date--to change the prevailing societal view of education'" (qtd..in "School Reform: What Role can Technology Play in a Constructivist Setting?" . . . while we all recognize the important role of the Jasper series, what is more important is not this product as an ending, but a beginning for those of us who dream of classrooms where relevant learning in context is more valued than it seems to be now.

Student6 cited David Lebow's (1993) five principles that include constructivist values in the design of CMC learning. Four of these apply to the video-based learning modules in the Jasper Series. They are:

• Provide a context for learning that supports both autonomy and relatedness.
• Embed the reasons for learning into the learning activity itself.
• Support self-regulation through the promotion of skills and attitudes that enable the learner to assume increasing responsibility for the developmental restructuring process.
• Strengthen the learner's tendency to engage in intentional learning processes, especially by encouraging the strategic exploration of errors.

Lebow, D. (1993). Constructivist values for instructional systems design: Five principles toward a new mindset. Educational Technology Research and Development, 40(3), 4 - 15.

Student1 responded with "I think that the Jasper project is definitely based on constructivism because it helps in:

• preparing students to solve complex, real-world problems
• provides opportunities to transfer to new, complex problems
• encourages transfer of problem solving skills
• provides deep understanding through analogous problems
• supports spontaneous connections of classwork to real-world problems

All these are important components of constructivism.

Student2 agreed with Student1 that the Jasper project is definitely based on constructivism for the reasons mentioned above. This is also supported by the five constructivist principles in the design of CMC learning.

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