Constructivism

Overheads from a presentation by Patsy Ann Johnson at a meeting of the American Association of Physics Teachers held in Boise, Idaho

Definitions of Constructivism and Related Terms by Robert Cohen of East Stroudsburg University

Constructivism Paper by Patsy Ann Johnson of Slippery Rock University

Past Constructivism Workshops

Dr. Patsy Ann Johnson conducted two workshops on Constructivism at Slippery Rock University.

"Using Constructivist Pedagogy to Improve Students' Learning"
April 6, 2004
"Making Assessment of Students' Learning Consistent with Constructivist Pedagogy"
April 13, 2004

Attendees:
SRU Faculty - Laura Crothers, Julaine Field, Michael Ignelzi, Patsy Ann Johnson
Ann Kemmerer, Jered Kolbert, Gerard Love, Mary Russo, Donald Strano.

Courses taken by students earning certification to teach mathematics and science in grades
K-12 include the following:

CEDP 248 Human Development
CEDP 342 Educational Psychology
CEDP 506 Counseling Diverse Populations
CEDP 610 Lifespan Developmental Psychology
CEDP 678 Psychology of Learning and Instruction


Faculty teaching these courses were participants in this workshop.  Following is the agenda:
1. Each participant will write a definition/explanation of constructivism.
2. Participants will share and discuss these definitions/explanations. Included will be the description in CETP-PA proposal and the types described by Martin Dougiamas. Also discussed will be the definition implied in the CETP-PA Protocol for Classroom Observation.
3. Participants will discuss the theory of constructivism and identify major contributors, such as Ernst von Glasersfeld. Participants will decide which contributors should be used in the theoretical base and in the content taught to students for the courses listed above.
4. Participants will share constructivist ways they teach. They will discuss ways to include more constructivist pedagogy in the courses listed above. These changes should increase learning for all students as well as model effective teaching for pre-service teachers.
5. Participants will decide which changes need to be incorporated into the master syllabi for the courses listed above.
6. Participants will consider having the courses listed above CETP-PA endorsed through observers using the CETP-PA Protocol for Classroom Observation.

Saturday Workshop
Constructivism: Classroom Methods and Student Learning
March 16, 2002
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Room 301 of the Physical Therapy Building
Slippery Rock University

The SRU Center for Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education with help from the Collaborative for Excellence Teacher Preparation (CETP-PA) and funding from National Science Foundation is sponsoring a constructivism workshop.  Members of the Indiana University of Pennsylvania CETP-PA team will give presentations and examples of constructivist teaching. Lunch will be provided for all participants.  Participants who are K-12 faculty will receive a $100 stipend.  Act 48 hours may be earned by participating in this workshop.  This Constructivism Workshop registration form and schedule of events are available online.  To view the Constructivist poster for this workshop click Constructivist poster

Attendees: 
Community College Faculty - Darlene Pabis, Patricia S. Sheffler
K-12 Faculty - Thomas Black, Cequenda Bruggeman, Kirby Burns, Peter Carando, Raymond
Cebula, Marcia Curry, Donna Glenn, Michael Janovick, Terry Kennedy, Kathleen Kwolek,
Nancy Moser, Raymond Omer, Greg Paladina, Michelle Singleton, Judith Smith, Linda Ziegler,
Lynda Zelesnak, Lauralee Zelesnak
SRU Faculty - Bruno Borsari, Jerry Chmielewsk, Eugenia Curry, Steven Doherty, Thomas
Gaither, Patsy Ann Johnson, Paulette Johnson, Jered Kolbert, Mary Russo, Mary Sisak, Joy G. Strain.
SRU Students - Eric Vogan

Friday Fall Film Series

Vincent Science Hall, Room 212

3:30 pm - 4:45 pm

Funded by the National Science Foundation, Division of Undergraduate Education
Collaborative for Excellence in Teacher Preparation Project.
NSF Cooperative Agreement #9986753