This document will review and critically analyse the use of pedagogies when teaching in secondary schools. This will be based on teaching at the Broad General Education level which covers students from secondary one to three.
Although pedagogies aim to provide the teacher with methods of teaching they are not always successful. There are a number of factors that should be considered before a pedagogical method or methods is selected, the subject to be taught being one of the main factors. The subject area is computing and the pedagogies that will be examined are “Constructivism”, “Learning through making” and “Traditional”.
Another factor that can influence the chosen pedagogy is the way that the students in the class learn and process
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The definition of ‘Pedagogy’ is, as noted in the Oxford English Dictionary is, “The method and practise of teaching, especially as an academic subject or theoretical concept” (Oxford Dictionaries, 2015)
Although the definition above states the basic meaning of pedagogy, it has changed and developed over the years. Watkins & Mortimore claimed, after carrying out a review of researched literature on pedagogy, that due to knowledge becoming more differentiated and integrated the conception of pedagogy has become much more complicated. This can be attributed to an enhanced understanding of cognition and metacognition, which has then affected the idea of pedagogy (Watkins & Mortimore, 1999).
Due to ICT having various uses within education, those being, the subject of ICT and using ICT within another subject, it has in turn had an impact on pedagogies and the way they may have to change (Cox, 1997).
Constructivism, which is a learning theory and pedagogy, is based on the understanding of cognition and that learning does not transpire from merely being given information that is recorded, but by the way the individual learner construes this information (Resnick, 1989).
Constructivism Pedagogy
Fosnot states that constructivism “describes knowledge not as truths to be transmitted or discovered, but as emergent, developmental, non-objective, viable constructed
The wider community believe that teaching falls under a simple banner of ‘basic pedagogy’ that involves the giving of information by the teacher, who then tests their students’ knowledge through questioning, homework and exams. Many do not know the full range of pedagogical options that can be utilised by teachers to engage students in their education. There is nothing wrong with the activities that make up the ‘basic pedagogy’ and any of
Constructivist Learning Theory exists under the focus of cognitive learning and has substructures of the concepts of self- efficacy, self- regulation, and metacognition as it defines how adults learn (Billings & Halstead, 2012, p. 211). Billings & Halstead (2012) explains that learning is considered a transformation in a person from personal experience. It is a continued process that encompasses understanding, clarifying, and applying meanings of knowledge that is developed. The learning theory, constructivism embraces that learning is a development. A learner constructs new knowledge by building on existing information through a process
Pedagogy is a word that is used to describe the art and science of teaching. Pedagogical roles are the many and varied that a teacher may perform while teaching, such as structuring, soliciting, responding and reacting. Other roles involve assessing, criticising, discussing, encouraging, enquiring, evaluating, explain, giving individual instruction, lecturing, organising, presenting, questioning and answering, repeating and reviewing and team teaching and tutoring etc.
Constructivism is reflecting on the experiences we have had in order to create our own understanding of the environment me live in. For instance, lets say I had and old sewing machine that I used all the time but now broke. I visit a sewing machine shop in order to buy a new one. The only machines available are newer models of the machine I owned, with different buttons and features. My previous experience with my machine will guide me into using the new machine. By simply learning a few extra steps, I would now be able to use the new model thanks to by previous experience, this is considered constructivism.
Three main theories of education exist: behavioral, constructivist, and cognitive. I find myself ideologically aligned most closely with the constructivist approach, yet for reasons to be explored later in this document, find the theory one that can only offer guidance for my actions as a teacher a portion of the time I am working with students. Constructivism means students don’t just absorb information and understand
In the outset of chapter four of the book, Moran and Keeley indicates the procedures that should implemented to examine teaching practices which has a real significant in light of the various eras that researches included in this chapter were published in. Furthermore, Researchers should take into consideration the differences among
There are other numerous definitions of pedagogy, with the briefest description being ‘’the science of teaching’’ according to oxford English dictionary
Constructivism is learning through experiences in our environment. Using this method we are essentially teaching ourselves through occurrences in our environment. This method of learning is demonstrated In a early childhood classroom by teachers providing guided opportunities that allow for children to explore their environment in various ways. At the end of these activities the teacher typically initiates a class discussion on the information learning through an activity. An example of an activity you may see in a classroom could be a scavenger hunt where the students find an object to match every color; this could take place inside or
Constructivism is a coherent theory of learning that emerged as a prevailing paradigm in the last part of the twentieth century. Constructivism is a theory which brings cogitation to pedagogy (Bruner, 1966). Constructivism capitalizes on the ways in which human beings create their own personal construct of reality by understanding and experiencing the world. The main underlying assumption of constructivism is that individuals are actively involved right from the birth in constructing personal meaning.
Pedagogy from the greek ‘Paidagogia’ is the art and science of education and the way we teach. Interest in studying pedagogy and how effective pedagogy is transmitted has increased in recent years and there are a multitude of sources that we can explore and analyse in order to answer that question. (M. K. Smith 2012a). Education is about giving time to discover new concepts whilst being encouraged to do so in a social environment (M, K, Smith 2012b). Education in general is a very practical activity and is concerned with changing old principles as well as teaching new perceptions. Many people have the misconception that pedagogy is only about teaching, it has other forms, a process of living and not a preparation of future living. (John Dewey 1963). The process of education and teaching is carried out by several people during our lives, parents and carers, work colleagues, acquaintances and friends and specialist educators (M. K. Smith 2012c).
Constructivism in the classroom usually means students are engaged in activities like experiments, or real-world problem solving to increase knowledge, followed by a reflection of how their understanding of the concept has changed (Brooks, Ed.D, n.d.). Cognitivism methods of instruction are commonly integrated with the levels found in Bloom’s Taxonomy: knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation (Bloom, 1956). The instructor must understand the prerequisite knowledge possessed by the student, and the student is encouraged to use appropriate strategies to help make the learning meaningful.
Pedagogy is the discipline that deals with the theory and practice of teaching children, teenagers or adults, respectively. According to this, I consider it as one of the most complex career because it involves too many responsibilities, especially in teaching children or teenagers, because we have the training and the future of children, who need an integral development, on our hands. That is why we need to get informed and study about teenage issues at the university, as we just did.
The purpose of a constructivist education, therefore, is to facilitate the process for learners in constructing their understanding. Constructivist learning “fosters critical thinking and creates active and motivated learners,” according to McClurg (2009). The educational emphasis is not on delivering knowledge nor organizing that knowledge in a prescriptive system, but rather on teaching students how to build their own understanding within meaningful contexts for lasting effect (Learning Theories Knowledgebase, 2012).
There are five identified central tenets of constructivism as a teaching philosophy: Constructivist teachers seek and value students’ points of view. This concept is similar to the reflective action process we call withitness, in which teachers attempt to perceive students’ needs and respond to them appropriately; Constructivist teachers challenge students to see different points of view and thereby construct new knowledge. Learning occurs when teachers ask students what they think they know about a subject and why they think they know it; Constructivist teachers recognize that curricula must have meaning for students. When students see the relevance of curricula, their interest in learning grows; Constructivist teachers create lessons that tackle big ideas, not small bits of information. By seeing the whole first, students are able to determine how the parts fit together; Constructivist teachers assess student learning in daily classroom activities, not through the use of separate testing or evaluation events. Students
Constructivism is the theory that humans construct knowledge and meaning from their experiences. This idea that people learn from experience and not just from hearing lectures was revolutionary and gave birth to the experimental learning approach that is more powerful than lectures and worksheets. By directing their own learning processes, students understand concepts better. In essence constructivism is the theory of how we learn.