In this lesson, we shall again look at

the computer, but this time from

another perspective, the computer as

the teacher’s handy-tool. It can in fact

support the constructivist and social

constructivist paradigms of

constructivist learning.

It was introduced by Piaget (1981) and

Bruner (1990). They gave stress to

knowledge discovery of new

meaning/concepts/principles in the

learning process.

This is an effort to show that the

construction of knowledge is

governed by social, historical and

cultural contexts. In effect, this is to

say that the learner who interprets

knowledge has a predetermined

point of view according to the

social perspectives of the

community or society he lives in.

The psychologist Vygotsky stressed

that learning is affected by social

influences. He therefore suggested the

interactive process in learning. The

more capable adult (teacher or parent)

or classmate can aid or complement

what the learner sees in a given class

project.

In addition, Dewey sees language

as a medium for social

coordination and adaptation. For

Dewey human learning is really

human languages that occurs

when students socially share, build

and agree upon meanings and

knowledge.

Learning Framework Constructivism

Social Constructivism

•Assumption •Knowledge is constructed by the individual.

•Knowledge is constructed within a social context.

•Definition of Learning •Students build their own learning.

•Students build knowledge influenced by the social context.

•Learning Strategies •Gather unorganized information to create new concept/principle

•Exchange and share from ideas, stimulates thinking.

•General Orientation •Personal discovery of knowledge.

•Students discuss and discover meanings

Based on the two learning

theories, the teacher can employ

the computer as a/an:

a. As an information tool

b. A communication tool

c. A constructive tool

d. As co-constructive tool

e. A situating tool

a. Information Tool

The computer can provide vast

amounts of information in various

forms, such as text, graphics,

sound and video. Even multimedia

encyclopedias are today available

on the internet.

b. Constructive

ToolThe computer itself can be used for

manipulating information, visualizing one’s

understanding and building new knowledge.

The Microsoft Word computer program itself

is a desktop publishing software that allows

uses to organize and present their ideas in

attractive formats.

c. Co-constructive

ToolsStudents can use constructive tools to work

cooperatively and construct a shared

understanding of new knowledge. On ways

of co-constructive is the use of the

electronic whiteboard where students may

post notices to a shared

document/whiteboard. Students may also

co-edit the same document from their

homes.

• The Computer-Supported International

Learning Environments (CSILE) is an

example of an integrated environment

developed by the Ontario Institute for

studied in Education.

d. Situating

ToolBy means of virtual reality (RS)

extension systems, the computer can

create 3-D images on display to give

the user the feeling that are situated in

a virtual environment. A flight simulation

program is an example of situating tool

which places the user in a simulated

flying environment.

• Multi-User domains or Dungeons (MUDs) MUD

Object Oriented (MOOs), and Multi-User Shared

hallucination (MUSHs) are example of situating

systems MUDs and MOOs are text-based virtual

reality environments on the Internet. When users

log on to a MOO environment.