Chapter 7 Learning Log

What?
Constructivism is an offshoot of the cognitive theory. Constructivists’ definition of Learning is an active process where learners construct their own meaning based on prior knowledge and experience. They believe that prior knowledge creates a shooting-off point that allows new knowledge to branch out (like a root system).
Schema is a filter through which each student learns and sees the world. Individual students each have very different schemas based on their own their own personal experiences and ideas.
Concepts are the most basic unit of constructivism. A concept is a defined category that we fit new information and experiences into. Teaching concepts to different schemas can require some guidelines to get the best reception. We must teach correlating features, examples, non-examples, defining features, exemptions, and definitions of concepts.
Misconceptions are beliefs that are inconsistent with commonly held beliefs or validations. Correcting misconceptions can be a sensitive process. Doing so sensitively will create more openness for absorption and understanding for your students. You can do so by:
-presenting evidence students cannot explain with their current ideas and schema.
-Motivate students to learn correct explanations.
-maintain self esteem.
-monitor what students say and write for persistent misconceptions.
Discovery learning is student centered learning that takes the teacher out of the primary role and makes them into a guide to help students learn and discover by themselves. Learning this way helps students build their own problem solving skills. Students make their own meaning by making their own experience-based knowledge.
The Five E’s of discovery learning are:
1. Engage
2. Explore
3. Explain
4. Elaborate
5. Evaluate (self-evaluation)

So What?
Based on the constructivist theory, knowing where your students are coming from is very important. Knowing how students are approaching a situation with prior experiences can help you tailor your lessons and concepts in order help your students get the most out of your lessons. There are exercises that can be used in your classroom in order for you to better understand your students. Taking advantage of these exercises can help you understand a little better how your students are comprehending the information and concepts presented.

Now What?
This is an example lesson plan idea using the Five E’s of Discovery Learning.
Using the Five E’s, students will be discovering how water temperature affects the respiration of fish. Students will be provided with cold, lukewarm, and warm water in which to put the fish. They are also provided with fish which to observe.
The only instructions given will be a demonstration of how to observe the respiration rate of the fish visually.
They then will be provided with the materials needed in order to explore in groups of 4 to experiment in ways to measure the respiration rate in connection to the temperature of the water.