Constructionism (learning theory)
The Constructionism is a learning theory which emphasizes the importance of active engagement in the learning process. She is inspired by the ideas of constructivism. As constructivism is also constructionism assumes that knowledge is constructed by learners themselves (re - constructed ) must be and can not be easily taught. Moreover, constructionism considers particularly the production ( construction ) of artifacts, it is the design of a product, building a sand castle or writing a computer program to be very conducive to learning. On the one hand, this ensures that learners are active and it is likely that they have also developed parallel to the object produced their knowledge structures. On the other hand, the constructionism assumes that learners learn particularly well when they manufacture objects on which they have a personal interest. Depending on the topic, the constructed objects also offer the opportunity to abstract theoretical considerations and models concretely tangible ( "grasp " ) and thus to make it more understandable.
The reason given Constructionism by Seymour Papert, a student of constructivist Jean Piaget. Papert defined the term in 1987 in an application to the National Science Foundation under the title Constructionism: A New Opportunity for Elementary Science Education as follows: " The word constructionism is a mnemonic for two aspects of the theory of science education underlying this project. From constructivist theories of psychology we take a view of learning as a reconstruction rather than as a transmission of knowledge. Then we extend the idea of manipulative materials to the idea did learning is most effective When part of an activity the learner experiences as constructing a meaningful product. "
Commonly known was the idea of constructionism by Papert's book Mindstorms: Children, Computers, and Powerful Ideas ( Basic Books, 1980, German: Mindstorms: Children, computers, and new learning ) where Papert describes, among other things, such as children with the Logo programming language 's own programs to create. With such experiences children would grow up in a kind of math country where it is so easy to learn mathematics as it is for children in France to learn French.
Examples
The LEGO company started in 1980 to support research projects in Papert's research group at MIT. Among other things, it was Lego Mindstorms robotics line of LEGO and LEGO Serious Play, analyze the problems relating to the business people in workshops with the help of Lego blocks and develop strategies.
The 100 dollar laptop project, behind the next Nicholas Negroponte and Seymour Papert and Alan Kay is, aims to promote konstruktionistisches learning in developing countries by every child should receive a personal laptop.