Constructionism

Theory

Papert's theory is aimed to be learner centered where it challenges and involves the learner whereas teacher centered learning is where learning is solely dependent on the teacher.

Seymour Papert worked on learning theories with Jean Piaget where he focused on effect of new technology on teaching and learning.

Constructionism advocates student-centered, discovery learning where students use information they already know to acquire more knowledge

The Theorist

Born Seymour Aubrey Papert on the 29th February 1928 in Pretoria, South Africa

Fields of expertise: Cognitive Science, Education, Mathematics, Computer Science

Nationality: American

31 July 2016

History

Papert added to Piaget's theory of constructivism

Papert was a student of Piaget. He worked alongside Piaget and did research where he extended on constructivism with an outcome of constructionism where he felt that learners learn better when they are interested in something other than what is put out by curcciulum advisors.

Constructionism was developed by Seymour Papert.

Definition

CONSTRUCTIONISM learning is when learners construct mental models to understand the world around them. Constructionism advocates student-centered, discovery learning where students use information they already know to acquire more knowledge.

CONSTRUCTIVISM is based on the belief that learning occurs as learners are actively involved in a process of meaning and knowledge construction as opposed to passively receiving information. Learners are the makers of meaning and knowledge.

Seymour Papert wanted to use what Piaget learned about children as a basis for rethinking
education. He wanted to use Piaget’s theory of knowledge to form a theory of education. as Piaget and Papert do, that knowledge is actively constructed by the child, then education consists of providing opportunities for children to engage in creative activities that fuel this constructive process. As Papert has stated, “Better learning will not come from finding better ways for the teacher to instruct, but from giving the learner better opportunities to construct”. This view of education is what Papert calls constructionism.

Kim Thompson

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Bibliography
Jonassen, D. & Reeves, T., 1996. Learning with Technology: Using computers as cognitive tools. Prentice Hall ed. Georgia: OH.
Kynigos, C., 2012. Constructionism: Theory of Learning or Theory of Design?. Educational Technology, 8-15 July, pp. 12-29.
Papert, S., 1981. Mindstorms: Computers, Children and Powerful Ideas. unknown ed. Ney York: Basic Books.
Papert, S., 1993. The Children's Machine: Rethinking school in the age of the computer. unknown ed. New York: Basic Books.
Papert, S. & Harel, I., 1991. Situating Constructionism. New York: Ablex Publishing Corporation.
Smith, F., 1998. The Book of Learning and Forgetting. New York: Teachers College Press.
Stager, G., 2005. Towards a pedagogy of online constructionist learning. Stellenbosch, University Press, pp. 1-7.