social constructivism

1. Social constructivism

2. Constructivist vs. Social Constructivist
Perspective of Teaching
Constructivism emphasizes that individuals
learn best when they actively construct
knowledge and understanding.
Social Constructivist Approaches emphasize the
social contexts of learning, and that
knowledge is mutually built and constructed.

3. Social Constructivist Approaches
Teachers and
Peers as Joint
Contributors to
Students’
Learning
Scaffolding
Tutoring
Cooperative
learning
Cognitive
apprenticeship

4. Lev Vygotsky(1896-1934)
• Vygotsky placed more emphasis on social
contribution to the process of development.
• He focused on the connections between
people and the social interaction.
• Cultures create mental tools which
transform our mental work just like
physical tools transform our physical
work.

5. Principles and Concepts
• Children construct their knowledge.
• The learning is mediated.
• Language plays a central role in mental
development.
• Learning appears twice.
• Development cannot be separated from irs
social context.

6. 3 Major Themes
• Social interaction
• Scaffolding
• Zone of proximal development
• More Knowledgeable others(MKO)

7. Some implications
• Must take the sociocultural context into
account.
• Must be aware of cultural mismatch (mental
tools of home culture don’t match up with
mental tools required in school).