Constructivism in the classroom Essay - 1046 Words

Constructivism represents a paradigm shift form education based on cognitive theories. This concept assumes that learners construct their own knowledge on the basis of interaction with their environment. (Gagnon amp; Collay, 200?) The role of the teacher as a constructor of the learning experience to ensure authentic curriculum and assessment which is responsive to the skills, needs and experiences of the learner, within established curriculum framework and with the reference to the achievement of literacy, numeracy, retention and attainment of outcomes. Krause, Bochner and Duchesne (p.157) comment that â€Å"as learners interact with their environment, they link information learned through experience to previous knowledge, and so construct†¦show more content†¦With this concept, Piaget believed that each person builds on the previous stage of cognitive development, increasing the child’s ability to solve more complex problems. He then developed four main cognitive s tructures including Sensorimotor (0-2 Years), Preoperational (3-7 years), Concrete operational (8-11 years) and Formal Operational (12-15 years). (Genetic Epistemology (J. Piaget), 200?) These structures are patterns of physical or mental action that underlie specific acts of intelligence and correspond to the child’s development. These developmental stages change through the processes of adaptation: accommodation and assimilation. Assimilation involves interpretation of events in terms of existing cognitive structures where as accommodation refers to changing the cognitive structure to make sense of the environment. Piaget’s theory has been criticised for relying exclusively on broad fixed, sequential stages through which all children progress, and for underestimating children’ abilities, however he has important implications in today’s education system. Piagetian principles are embedded in the curriculum and in effective teaching practices, and Piaget-influence concepts such as cognitive construction and developmentally appropriate instructions, guide education reforms. (Allyn amp; Bacon, 2000) His theories have helped to develop the constructivist ideologies of teaching, which differ greatly from theShow MoreRelatedConstructivism in the Classroom1832 Words   |  8 Pages1. Constructivism is a method that says students learn by building their schema by adding to their prior knowledge by the use of scaffolding (Rhinehart Neas). Because the students are basically teaching themselves new information, the teacher is there mainly for support and guidance for the students. Pro: By using a constructivist approach to teaching, students will be â€Å"fully engaged in their own learning† (Rhinehart Neas). This allows the students to make sense of what they are doing by relatingRead MoreEncouraging Constructivism in Todays Classroom Essay1953 Words   |  8 Pagesaside and I feel like constructivism learning theory should be given a try in the classroom. Learning according to the free dictionary is the act or process of experience of gaining knowledge or skill. This knowledge or skill is gained through schooling or study. (The Free Dictionary by Farlex). Constructivism is a philosophy of learning founded on the premise that, by reflecting on our experiences, we construct our own understanding of the world we live in. (Constructivism, 2014). In other wordsRead MoreLecturer Peter Senge Once Stated, â€Å"Knowledge Is Constructed,1302 Words   |  6 Pagesteacher described and often give up entirely. The success of inclusion is greatly reduced in an essentialism classroom. Students are often taught, â€Å"It is very important [to] move at the same pace and produce the same products as [their] peers† (Marlowe Page, 2005, p. 64). Essentialism is proven to be extremely ineffective; instead teachers should embrace constructivism. Constructivism states that â€Å"learners construct understanding that makes sense to them, new learning depends on current understandingRead MoreConstructivism : A Learning Theory917 Words   |  4 PagesConstructivism is a learning theory that suggests that because individuals are not blank slates new knowledge is constructed by building upon prior knowledge and experiences (Brandsford, Brown, and Cocking, 2000). Within the classroom setting, constructivism often includes, but not limited to a hands-on activity, group work, and teachers acting as facilitators. At the sight of observation, the learning activity was a guided reading lesson. This reading activity was designed for a small group of fourRead MoreA Reflection On Learning Theories939 Words   |  4 Pageslearning theories I will reflect on. Behaviorism, constructivism, and cognitivism are relatively common theories used in classrooms as ways to approach student learning. Behaviorism focuses on observable behavior, such as being able to follow two step directions to complete a task. Characteristics of a classroom that uses behaviorism would be a reward system to inspire desired behaviors and decrease undesired behaviors. As I reflect on my classrooms that I go into we do use behaviorism theory. IRead MoreHow Constructivist Theory Changed My Transition From A Beginning Classroom Teacher954 Words   |  4 Pagesaffected my transition from a beginning classroom teacher to an instructional school leader, I must admit that I didn’t really understand the process until it became a reality for me. I woke up one day and realized that things that were very difficult for me suddenly became second nature to me. Upon further reflection, I now realize that this was the culmination of past experiences, new knowledge, inve stigation, and synthesis producing genuine learning. Constructivism allowed me to mature into an instructionalRead MoreTheoretical Perspectives in Education Essay1289 Words   |  6 Pagesactions as a teacher a portion of the time I am working with students. Constructivism means students don’t just absorb information and understand it, rather, they build or construct understanding based on their own personal experiences and interactions with material, people, and the world. Students must be allowed the freedom to explore their interests in a very interactive way and should not be guided by a curriculum (Constructivism). The constructivist theory of learning is attributed to severalRead MoreConstructivist Approaches to Acquiring Knowledge1100 Words   |  5 Pagesby rediscovery, Bruner’s (1973) theory of indicating learning as a social process which comprised of various interactions to knowledge gain and many researchers (Montessori (1946); Kolb Fry (1975); etc) have seen embarked on Dewey’s initial constructivism and discover it as one of the best teaching to be used in education. Physical educators have a long history of using constructivist approaches in their application in movement education (Rovegno Kirk, 1995; Bilborough Jones, 1963; MauldonRead MoreConstructivism : A Theory That All Learning Is Built On Previous Knowledge984 Words   |  4 PagesConstructivism is a theory that all learning is built on previous knowledge. In theory, when an individual discovers something new, they reference back to their previous experiences to compare and contrast. From there, we decide wh ether this information is relevant to us, or we choose to ignore the new knowledge. Constructivism is like a building with several floors. Anyone entering the building needs to start on the first floor and they can choose to take several different routes to get to theRead MoreTowards Constructivist Teaching And Learning909 Words   |  4 PagesTowards Constructivist Teaching and Learning Abstract Recent developments in South Australia have emphasised the importance of constructivism as a theoretical basis for curriculum development and implementation, and associated school reform, in government schools. This paper reports on some initial insights from a qualitative study investigating ways in which teachers who are committed to a constructivist philosophy construct teaching and learning. The study is a collaborative project between

The Wife of Bath Tale in Geoffery Chuacer´s The Canterbury...

As a member of an ever changing society, Geoffrey Chaucer had a sharp perception of the attitudes and opinions that were coming to light and shaping the roles in peoples lives. Scattered throughout these philosophies were ideas and traditions that had dictated women to lead mostly subservient lives. One of Chaucer’s characters in The Canterbury Tales, the Wife of Bath, serves as a contradiction to many of these oppressive norms and in turn, establishes her own overbearing view of the roles and relationships of women in society. While attempting to showcase a distinct female dominance over men, the ultimate effect the Wife of Bath strives for is to bring women and men to a more equal level of power. Through the Wife’s journey to bring men and women to a more comparable level there is no attempt to change society’s mind when it comes to shortcomings of the current social order. It is in these instances where the Wife may come off written as a shrewd and spouting h er dissatisfaction. The Wife; however, says a few intriguing examples of how her own society goes about treating women unfairly. Double standards for men and women, she states, are far too common and too deeply engrained in culture. While examining this issue, she mentions Christ’s teachings say to her, That by the same ensample taughte he me / That I ne sholde wedded be but ones (117, ll. 12-13). She later adheres to the fact that many holy men have had more than one wife, stating, â€Å" I woot wel Abraham was an

Cardiac Catheterization Free Essays

Cardiac catheterization is often referred to as coronary angiography or a coronary angiogram. It is a radiographic procedure that is used to look at and visualize the heart and the coronary arteries. During a cardiac catheterization it is possible for the cardiologist performing the procedure to see how effectively blood is flowing through the coronary arteries. We will write a custom essay sample on Cardiac Catheterization or any similar topic only for you Order Now In addition, this procedure allows the cardiologists to see how blood is moving through the chambers of the heart and how effective the heart valves are functioning. A cardiac catheterization can also allow for the visualization of the movement of the walls of the heart to see if the pumping action of the heart is normal. The primary application of cardiac catheterization is to determine if there is the presence of coronary artery disease. If there is occlusion of the coronary arteries this is the result of atherosclerosis, or plaque build up within the coronary arteries. During a cardiac catheterization it is possible for the physician to identify the location and size of these plaque deposits. The presence of plaque within the coronary arteries can lead to a myocardial infarction; therefore, if the plaque buildup is substantial, therapeutic action has to be taken. This treatment may include coronary bypass surgery if the coronary artery disease is widespread and or the arteries are occluded to a large degree. A large number of patients who do have coronary artery disease are treated in the cardiac cath lab during the catheterization with procedures such as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and angioplasty with stenting and artherectomy. Angioplasty is performed by inserting a catheter into the coronary artery that is blocked. The catheter has balloon that can be inflated where the blockage is present. The pressure from the inflated balloon will force the plaque to the sides of the coronary artery. This will allow the artery to open and allow for increased blood flow through that branch of the coronary arteries. Once the plaque is moved aside the cardiologist will insert a tiny expandable wire tube known as a stent. The stent will be placed where it can be expanded to hold the artery open. Some stents are designed to simply keep the artery held open. Other stents used are drug-eluting stents. These stents are coated with pharmacologic agents that work to prevent restenosis of the artery. Another form of PCI is artherectomy. This is a procedure that has a cardiologist using a cutting blade that spins rapidly or a laser beam to cut away or burn away plaque that is blocking a branch of the coronary arteries. To perform a cardiac catheterization the patient is brought to the cardiac catheterization lab. These procedures are performed by specially trained cardiologists, nurses and radiologic technologists. The procedure is performed on a specialized table with fluoroscopy equipment, cardiac monitoring equipment, and the use of computerized technology to assist in data and image collection and analysis. To perform a cardiac catheterization the cardiologist will insert a sheath, or a short tube usually into the femoral artery. A long very thin catheter will then be fed through the sheath and guided through the arteries until it is in the heart and coronary arteries. The physician uses fluoroscopy equipment to guide the catheter into the coronary arteries. To allow for clear viewing of the coronary arteries, contrast material is injected into the catheter. As the contrast material flows through the heart chambers and coronary arteries x-rays are taken. The physician can than visualize the heart, valve function, and the flow through the coronary arteries. Any obstructions in the coronaries will become readily visible. The contrast material used to allow for the visualization of blood flow is iodine based and is flushed through the patients system rather quickly once the test is completed. The contrast material will be injected into the catheter that has been fed into the heart. As the contrast material flows through the heart x-rays are taken as a motion picture. This allows the cardiologist to not only visualize the flow of blood through the heart and coronary arteries, but the wall motion and valve function can be seen as well. This component of a cardiac catheterization is the actual coronary angiogram. If there is coronary artery disease, which is a blockage in some branch or branches of the coronary arteries, these blockages will be visible during the angiogram. The cardiologist performing the procedure will then determine the course of therapy to enhance blood flow through the coronaries. In mild cases, the patients may be treated medically with no cardiac catheterization intervention. In more severe cases the cardiologist might perform angioplasty with stenting. In those cases where stent placement cannot be done, or if the coronary artery disease is too widespread, then coronary artery bypass surgery might be warranted. A cardiac catheterization generally takes about 30 minutes. It can take longer if the cardiologist has to perform angioplasty and place multiple stents. Following the procedure the patient may remain in the hospital overnight or they may be able to go home after a few hours of recovery time. Most cardiac catheterizations are done via catheter insertion into the femoral artery. When the procedure is completed the sheath will be removed and the entry site will be closed with the application of pressure and a suture device or plug. A cardiac catheterization is an invasive procedure done in a sterile O. R. like environment. Although, the complications are rare, they do exist. Complications include: Allergic reaction to the contrast material, irregular heart rhythm, bleeding where the catheter was removed, infection, coronary artery spasm or acute closure, a tear and bleeding, and the need for emergency heart surgery. However, the benefits far out weigh the risks. The clinical information that this gold standard test provides about the heart, and the ability to open coronary arteries without surgery makes this procedure critical for those who are believed to have heart disease. How to cite Cardiac Catheterization, Papers

Chris McCandless free essay sample

Have you ever heard the phrase, â€Å"better safe than sorry†? This idiom’s truthfulness is proven in Jon Krakauer’s book, Into the Wild. In the book, Christopher McCandless, a young man who follows his dreams, learns to never overestimate oneself, for arrogance can lead to bad decisions and therefore bad consequences. Christopher McCandless decided early in the book that his ambition was to live completely off the land for a while, with only the help of ten pounds of rice for food. His adventure was not fated to end well though, for the Alaskan wilderness is perilous and he was not well prepared. Although many of the people who offered him rides had offered advice and told him how to be better prepared, Chris still â€Å"came into the country with insufficient provisions, and he lacked certain pieces of equipment deemed essential by many Alaskans †¦ He was green and overestimated his resilience†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (180, 182). We will write a custom essay sample on Chris McCandless or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Christopher had neglected to follow much of the advice, thinking he was prepared after having survived his hitchhiking days. He showed lots of ignorance when walking into the wilderness so underprepared and with such little knowledge of the specific area. He is so overconfident he decides to throw most of his ammunition into the lake, an action he regrets later on, when hinting becomes too important for him to have disregarded it so. This lesson proves useful both two centuries ago, with Sir John Franklin, and a hundred years later, when a new lawyer neglects to gather as much evidence as was needed because he felt so confident after his first case. Hubris and arrogance were the death of Christopher McCandless, for they made him underprepared and ungrateful of what he had. Christopher could still be alive had he taken more interest in learning more about the specific area around the Stampede Trail and taken more supplies with him, even if he did plan to use them, because after all, its better to be safe than sorry. Hubris leads to bad decisions no matter what your situation is, and these bad decisions can negatively impact your life, and that of others.