Prior to this course, I thought that students should be able to see problem worked out on the board by the teacher, and be able to reproduce it in their practice problems - like I did when I was in school. I took his notion with me to the classroom as a teacher. I would explain something in detail on the board, then I wondered why didn't they just reproduce what I did to get the answer?
From these theories and perspectives of constructivism I have learned :
1) that students learn in different ways
2) the brain should be actively engaged in learning
3) The value of social interaction in learning
4) The value in letting students come up with their own ways to solve problems that makes sense to them
Implications: Many teachers (including me) have to change their whole paradigm from teacher-centered to student-centered instruction in classrooms. Let go of the reigns - not altogether, but enough to let the student develop naturally.
The classroom will look like students running the show, with the teacher facilitating, monitoring and guiding the discussions. Students must be taught the rules for discussion and constructivism classroom culture.
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I can relate to everything you said. I learned the same way you did, and expected my students to learn that way as well. I now see the importance of a constructivism in the classroom. The students will be able to "get it" when they construct their own ideas.
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