John & Tracy Knox (jknox@erie.net)
Sun, 11 Apr 1999 22:34:07 -0400
From: "John & Tracy Knox" <jknox@erie.net> Subject: Constructivist II Date: Sun, 11 Apr 1999 22:34:07 -0400
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Tony,
Thanks for the questions and the chance for me to reply. First let me say
that a teacher centered classroom does not have to be a teacher as dictator
classroom. I make a point to show how the text that we use is wrong in
places, that there are other points of view on issues, and that Newton HAD
to think outside of the accepted norms. What I don't agree with is the type
of constructivism where students will magically feel motivated enough to
find out things on their own, or discover concepts through experimentation.
What I have found through looking at writing samples is that students very
rarely acquire knowledge from collected data without some help interpreting
data. Some of that information has to go at the front end, and a text is a
great place to start.
Second, how much of what we know is second hand data? We live in a world
where we have to be critical, but we still have to rely on the information
that we gather. You have to start somewhere and one well written source is
a good jumping off point. Any text will have shortcomings, none are to be
taken as gospel, and good research skills will help you dig further. I do
agree that the text as the only tool is not a great idea, but I have found
that no text is as bad of an idea. A good text provides a backbone for
students to build from.
Third I would like to say that I look at education as how are you going to
best teach 25-30 students at a time for a period of 45-50 minutes. I know
that it isn't ideal but it is the best that society seems to be willing to
spend on education. In the current system there is no time for
individualization of instruction. No time for one on one interaction. The
question that has to be answered is how do we reach the most kids for the
time spent.
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