preview

Tenets Of Constructivism

Better Essays

Constructivism is a learning theory describing the process of knowledge construction (Major & Mangope 2012:139). Borich and Tombari (2004 as cited in Booyse, 2010:10) described constructivism as an approach to learning in which learners are provided with the “opportunity to construct their own sense of what is being learned by building internal connections or relationships among the ideas and facts being taught. Therefore constructivism is based on a learner’s own construction of knowledge. Learners use their prior knowledge to make sense of new information by relating them together (Stavredes, 2011). This essay will outline the basic tenents of constructivism and then attempt to explain why based on these core tements that constructivism is a good famework to use within the South African context. Some critisims of Constructivism will be presented as well as ways to overcome these. Basic tenets of constructivism Students construct their own knowledge Drawing from Piaget’s work, constructivism ‘focuses on the internal, cognitive or conceptual development of the learner’s mind. In support of this point, Biggs (1993:73) points out that constructivism emphasizes that …show more content…

The general consensus in the post-apartheid government and wider public was that old system (CNE) did not adequately address the needs of all South Africans, especially those who had been disadvantaged by what was then referred to as “gutter education”. Students who completed 12 years of CNE were generally unskilled and not trained to be absorbed directly into the workforce (Chigonga, 2013:33). Botha (2002:365) supports the above statement by arguing that research “has consistently shown that South African students lack substantial problem-solving and creative

Get Access