Competency 29: Students as Learners and Science Instruction

Question 1

Constructivism

Answer 1

Philosophy states that: knowledge is constructed, not transmitted. Prior knowledge impacts the learning process. Initial understanding is local, not global. Building useful knowledge structures requires effortful and purposeful activity. Real learning can only occur when the learner is actively engaged in mentally processing incoming stimuli. Only tools available are the senses. Concept mapping, pretests are ways to elicit prior knowledge.

Question 2

Discrepant Event

Answer 2

One where the result is the opposite of what was expected

Question 3

5 basic phases of instructional process

Answer 3

1) Engage: Connect what they already know or believe
2) Explore: Collecting data or making observations
3) Explain: Try to explain their data or observations
4) Elaborate/Extend: Take what they have learned and apply it to other situations
5) Evaluate: Students and teachers both assess what and how much was learned from activity.