Constructivism - Carl Rogers

What is Carl Rogers' Contructivist Theory

www.cudenver.edu/~mryder/itc_data/constructivism.html

http://www.dean.usma.edu/math/activities/cape/

Constructivism/501rog.htm

Rogers identified two types of learning. The first type, cognitive, corresponds to rote knowledge such as learning the multiplication tables. He considered this type of learning to be meaningless in the long run. The second type, experiential, refers to applied knowledge such as learning to use the computer in order to publish a paper. This he considered to be the most important. The principal distinction is that experiential learning stems from the needs and wants of the learner.
The following qualities characterize experiential learning: personal involvement, self-initiated, evaluated by learner, and pervasive effects on learner.
Experiential learning is equivalent to personal change and growth. All human beings have a natural propensity to learn. Education should help students discover how to learn and also support them as they learn to embrace change.

The role of the teacher is to facilitate experiential learning. This includes:

(1) Setting a positive climate for learning.

(2) Clarifying the purposes of the learning.

(3) Organizing and making available learning resources.

(4) Balancing intellectual and emotional components of learning.

(5) Sharing feelings and thoughts with learners but not dominating.

Learning is facilitated when:

(1) The student participates completely in the learning process and has control over its nature and direction.

(2) It is based upon practical social, personal or research problems of interest to the learner.

(3) Self-evaluation is the principal method of assessing progress.