Constructivism & learning

Generalisations here.

Helps students take ownership of their learning. Caution: Need to manage time very well. Need to be very clear with instructions.

This constructivism type teaching style is really quite hard to do when you're hard pressed for time.

Do students have to have enough background knowledge for this to take place successfully? When is the time for route learning? What types of topics favour more route learning?

When students are used to being spoon fed, it's bad to conduct a class that's very constructivist type. It's better to ease them into the idea.

Teacher's rapport with the class must be good because it means students need to speak up more... and being comfortable with the teacher helps lots.

To what extent is constructivist just a spinoff from western type... it seems to need students to speak up a lot... emphasis on two way communication. What if the class doesn't want to open up?

This type of learning sprung from the western classroom with less pupils and less exams. Is this type of learning feasible in the Singaporean context with 40 students in one classroom? I spoke to an older teacher and she said that from primary one students are taught to be silent while the teacher teaches... and then come to secondary school, they want to do this engaged learning deal. Won't work at all because it's become an ingrained habit to expect to be spoon fed. And also since primary one, students prepare for PSLE. In secondary school, it's the O Level, and so on. With currciulum to cover, is this kind of learning really feasible?

It's finding a balance. Constructivism is more a long term solution. Route learning is like a short term solution.