Instructional Design/Constructivism/Cognitivism v. Constructivism

Lesson 1

This lesson will introduce you to the differences between traditional teacher-centered instruction and authentic learning experiences, you will complete the following activities:

1st Step

- Print out or save this (HOLD SHIFT and CLICK) Authentic Activity Checklist and Continuum.

         You will note that it contains a list of qualities contained in instruction
          with two columns entitled Video 1 and Video 2.  You will be using this worksheet
          to evaluate two videos outlined in Step 2.

2nd Step

- Click on the links below
          These will introduce you to two lessons on the same subject in the Language Arts
          area (subjects/predicates) for a middleschool audience.  One is an example of a
          teacher-centered cognitive activity.  The other is an example of an authentic
          learning experience. While you are watching each, please check any qualities you
          perceive to be present in each of the two lessons in the respective columns.  In
          addition, at the end of the worksheet you will be asked to identify what type of
          activity each video is (teacher-centered or authentic learning experience) by
          plotting them on a continuum. Best wishes!

            VIDEO 1:  http://www.mydeo.com/videorequest.asp?XID=16085&CID=175436 [dead link]

            VIDEO 2:  http://www.mydeo.com/videorequest.asp?XID=10338&CID=175461

3rd Step

After you have finished viewing these videos and completed the quality worksheet, please proceed to each of the discussion boards linked below to see what others have obeserved in the 2 lessons and to make your own comments.

• What deficiencies do you detect in the teacher-centered cognitivist instructional activities?

*HOLD SHIFT and CLICK Discussion Board: Cognitivist Weaknesses

• What are the instructional strengths of engaging and learner-centric constructivist activities?

*HOLD SHIFT and CLICK Discussion Board: Constructivist Strengths

• What is a clear way to state the need for incorporating more authentic learning experiences into instruction?

*HOLD SHIFT and CLICK Discussion Board: Need for Authentic Learning Experiences

---

Once you have completed the discussion board activities, to compare your worksheet answers with some recommended responses, HOLD SHIFT and CLICK here. Then advance to Lesson 2.

---

Click Lesson 2 to continue.

Instructional Design: Homepage

Constructivism: Introduction

Pre-Lesson

Lesson 1

Lesson 2

Lesson 3

Conclusion

Review the Objectives

• Given a video of two examples of instructional lessons consisting of an identical objective for learning, yet content differing in authentic and non-authentic learning experiences presented, learning participants will be able to write a blog posting that compares the two learning experiences.

• 1.1 Describe deficiencies of teacher-centered cognitivist instructional activities
• 1.2 List instructional strengths of engaging and learner-centric constructivist activities
• 1.3 State the need for incorporating more authentic learning experiences into their instruction

See also

• Cognitivism (psychology)
• Constructivism