Constructivist Learning Environments on the Web : Engaging Students in Meaningful Learning

An antidote for reproductive learning is to engage learners in active manipulative), constructive, intentional, complex, authentic, cooperative (collaborative and conversational), and reflective learning activities. Those characteristics are the goal of constructivist learning environments (CLEs). This paper presents a model for designing CLEs, which surround a problem/project/issue/question (including problem context, problem representation space, and problem, manipulation space) with related cases (to supplant learners’ lack of experiences and convey complexity), information resources that support knowledge construction, cognitive tools, conversation and collaboration tools, and social-contextual support for implementation. These components are supported by instructional supports, including modeling, coaching, and scaffolding. This model is directly applicable to web-based learning. Examples of web-CLEs will be demonstrated in the presentation.

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