Learning Theory

Social Constructivism:
As a group in our teaching we have adopted a learning theory of
social constructivism. As a result we have planned our lesson and
chosen our resources based around this theory.
Social Constructivism swings the attention to the students and their
own attitudes towards learning and student accountability is highly
emphasised within the classroom environment.
We have chosen this theory due to the fact that we believe that the
focus of the learning experience should be highly dependant on the
students themselves rather than the teacher, in this way students
are accountable for their own learning. We also encourage the fact
that students should be actively involved in their own learning and
take accountability for the work they do within the classroom and
also outside of the classroom.
We have based our classrooms around a certain set of ideals that
should be upheld by both the students and ourselves as teachers.

We, as teachers, believe that learning has moved past the

stage on simply reciting information and wrote learning. We
believe that every child has something to bring to the
classroom and that education is now a sharing of ideas. As a
result, what the students know prior to the lesson is extremely
important to us.
We must understand that the learning experience for every
child will be different, as a result we must tailor our lesson to
provide an individual with an understanding of the concepts
covered in class on a personal level
The process of understanding is both continuous and active.
The students must be active in their own learning and build on
knowledge to create a holistic understanding of the work that
is being covered
Students must take accountability for their own work due to
the fact that learning is an active process.

It is through our knowledge that personal experiences shape and

change out understanding of certain subjects due to personal
engagement that we can effectively create a classroom that can
achieve optimum results. It is through the classes that we will be
building on the knowledge that they already have. In this way the
students will have a personal understanding, and optimum learning
will ensue.

Social Constructivism is based on:

Constructive Learning
Active Learning
Intentional Learning
Cooperative Learning, and
Authentic Learning
And it is through in incorporation of all these elements within our
classroom that the students will fuel their own learning process to
come to a personal and engaged understanding of the topic.
As stated above, collaboration will also be a fundamental element to
our teaching, not only with the other students in the class, but with
the teachers as well. It will be through this collaboration that both
the teacher and the students will create a safe environment. This
element of collaboration is extremely essential to social
constructivism, but will only be achieved when the students
understand that people will have different opinions and that all
points of view must be respected. Only then will optimum learning
occur.
ICT based activities will fuel this idea of student learning. Students
may go as fast or as slow as they need. The Weebly page provides
learning independence that will allow for the catering of difference.
This paired with our lessons highly linking to constructivism will
allow for the students to reach their optimum levels.

References:
Driscoll, M. (2005). Psychology of learning for instruction. Allyn &
Bacon, Boston: MA
Hill, W.F. (2002) Learning: A survey of psychological interpretation
(7th ed), Allyn and Bacon, Boston, MA.
Jordan, A., Carlile, O., & Stack, A. (2008). Approaches to learning: A
guide for teachers. McGraw-Hill, Open University Press: Berkshire.
Ormrod, J.E. (1995). Human Learning (2nd ed.). New Jersey, Prentice
Hall.