The Challenges of Implementing Constructivism and How to

The Challenges of Implementing Constructivism and How to Address Them Dr. James Pelech jpelech@ben. edu

Challenge One: Constructivism is a Complicated Philosophy It is a philosophy of how one learns It does not tell us how to teach What to do?

Challenge One Solution : Start Your Own Library In Search of Understanding: The Case for Constructivist Classrooms. Jacqueline Grennon Brooks and Martin Brooks

Challenge One Solution : Start Your Own Library Applying Standards Based Constructivism Don Mesibov Any book by Paul Vermette

Challenge One Solution : Start Your Own Library The Comprehensive Handbook of Constructivist Teaching: From Theory to Practice James Pelech Information Age Publishing

Challenge One Solution : Start Your Own Library Constructivism: Theory, Perspectives, and Practice 2 nd edition Cathy Fosnot (Has many books on teaching mathematics)

Challenge One Solution : Start Your Own Library Web Sites: Institute for Learning Centered Education. www. Learning Centered. org http: //www. learningcentered. org About us; Resources; Blog; Links; Conference

Challenge One Solution : Start Your Own Library Association for Constructivist Teaching www. constructivistassociation. org

Challenge One Solution : Start Your Own Library Brain-Based Learning Constructivism aligns with brain-based learning Books on Brain-Based Learning

Challenge One Solution : Start Your Own Library How the Brain Learns. David Sousa Teaching With the Brain in Mind. 2 nd edition. Eric Jensen Research-Based Strategies to Ignite Student Learning: Insights from a Neurologists and Classroom Teacher. Judith Willis

Challenge Two: How to Start? Start Slow One Constructivist characteristic v. Autonomy- The most important v. Authentic Products v. Make connections v. Rattling their Cage

Challenge Three: Student Autonomy They must understand: Multiple answers -expected Change opinion-OK Normal procedure is discussion

Addressing Challenge Three: Some ideas Discuss this with students Start slow Think of ways to have students be autonomous How can I assess this? #

Assessing My Constructivist Teaching. Challenge Three Personal Journal – More than a summary# Video Record class Compare Journal with video Peer observation Student work

Addressing Challenge Four: Personal Journal Prompts ØWho is doing the talking? ØWhat Level of Bloom’s Taxonomy? ØAre they comparing/ contrasting? ØAre they reorganizing their thoughts? Ø Outcomes? Create something?

Addressing Challenge Four: Work with a Colleague/ Peer Observation Choose a Colleague Same Prompts Plus: What surprised colleague Plus: Continue to use

Addressing Challenge Four: Work with a Colleague Compare notes Your journal ----Colleague notes*

Challenge Five: Getting Support From Administration, Community and Parents Discuss with administrator Local newspapers School Parent Newsletter Web Site

Challenge 5: What to Put in Media Platforms/Administrator Definition of Constructivism How it Aligns with Brain-Based Learning Aligns with 21 st Century Thinking Skills# Student Work and School’s Test Scores#

21 ST Century Skills: Resources/ Books 21 st Century Thinking Skills. Trilling and Fadel 2014 Teaching the 4 C’s with Technology: How Do I Use 21 st Century Tools to Teach 21 st Century Skills. Budhai and Mc. Laughlin Taddel 2015 Partnership for 21 st Century Learning. www. p 21. org

Challenge 6: Test Scores Illinois –teacher and principal evaluation 25% 33%

Challenge 6 : Test Scores Influence of Constructivism in Teaching on Academic Achievement of Primary Students. Journal of Education ad Research for Sustainable Development. 2013 Primary students

Challenge 6: Test Scores Effectiveness of Constructivist Teaching on Students’ Academic Achievement. Aydisheh And Gharbi. 2015. Third grade Students. Constructivist Teaching and Student Achievement. Washington Research Center. 2003. Abbots and Fouts

Challenge 6: Test Scores The Effects of Constructivist Learning Activities on Trainee Teachers 'Academic Achievement and Attitudes. World Applied Science Journal. 2008 Author: Aguz Teacher Trainees

Challenge 6: Test Scores Using Constructivist Teaching Strategies to Enhance Academic Outcomes of Students with Special Needs. Universal Journal of Educational Research. 2016

Challenge 6: Test Scores Effect of Constructivist-Based Teaching Strategy on Academic Performance of Students in Integrated Science at Junior Secondary School Level. Educational Research and Reviews. 2010 Nigeria

Not the End…Just the Beginning Your plan One thing Comments/questions