Student-Centered and Constructivist Approaches to Instruction

Question 1

What are the 3 key features of student-centred and constructivist approaches to instruction?

Answer 1

1. They are grounded in cognitive views of learning (they rely on psychology a lot)
2. They place learners at the centre of the learning process
3. They rely on teachers as a guide for learning

Question 2

What kind of teacher does a constructivist have?

Answer 2

A guide on the side (she said this would be a MC question idk)

Question 3

What are the 4 key principles to the constructivist approach?

Answer 3

1. Social learning - social nature of learning
2. Zone of proximal development - students are engaged in tasks that they could not do alone but can do with the assistance of peers or adults
3. Cognitive apprenticeship - learner gradually acquires expertise through interaction with an expert (adult or peer)
4. Mediated learning - scaffolding and top-down approach

Question 4

APA Psychological Principles: learners actively seek knowledge by ….

Answer 4

• Reinterpreting information and experience for themselves
• Being self-motivated by the quest for knowledge rather than being motivated by grades or other rewards - much more helpful
• Working with others to socially construct meaning
• Being aware of their own learning strategies (metacognitive skills) and capable of applying them to new problems or circumstances.

Question 5

What was designed primarily to help low achievers in elementary and middle school with reading comprehension, but works with students of all ages?

Answer 5

Reciprocal teaching

Question 6

What teaching method is especially effective with students with learning disabilities?

Answer 6

Reciprocal teaching method

Question 7

What are the 4 cognitive strategies employed by reciprocal teaching?

Answer 7

Questioning, summarizing, clarifying, and predicting

Question 8

What are some features of cooperative learning?

Answer 8

• Small groups (no more than 2-6 students in each group)
• A group goal - Goals direct the groups’ activities.
• Emphasis on social interaction
• Individual accountability - Learners must depend on each other to reach the goals (positive interdependence or reciprocal interdependence)
• Equal opportunity for success
• Task specialization
• Adaptation to individual needs

Question 9

What is the main guideline for introducing cooperative learning to students?

Answer 9

Establish rules collaboratively with students

Question 10

What are some rule suggestions under cooperative learning?

Answer 10

• Be respectful and kind (no putdowns; no rudegestures, facial expressions or body language)
• Support each other (students should provide theirclassmates with positive feedback about their ideas, andencourage their participation)
• Everyone has a turn to talk (set time limits, e.g., eachstudent has one minute of uninterrupted time to sharehis/her ideas)

Question 11

Guidelines for cooperative learning:

Answer 11

• Pre-selected groups
• Short & simple tasks
• Practice moving in & out of groups quickly
• Give students a clear and specific group task
• Give them a time limit
• Require them to produce something
• Monitor the groups while they work

Question 12

Results have favoured cooperative learning as long as two essential features are met:

Answer 12

1. Recognition or small reward
2. Individual accountability

Question 13

Cooperative learning has positive effects on:

Answer 13

• Achievement of students in grades 2 through 12
• Intergroup relations: promotes mutual concern among students and helps to develop better relationships between children of varying cultural backgrounds
• Self-esteem, attitudes toward school, and acceptance of children with special educational needs