Constructivism

Collaboration and Scaffolding Approach

This scenario will be focusing on implementing a new LMS system in our school. The situation will focus on training the students on how to use the new LMS system as an example of Constracutvisim.

I will focus on learners taking an active role in learning and developing new knowledge related to their existing knowledge, often through collaboration and also through the Scaffolding.

1- Collaboration approach:

In each grade, I will choose a group of students to work as a pilot that could train the rest of the students. In grouping, I will consider the level of technical understanding, language background, and ability to share and teach others. Vygotsky believes, "A constructivist learning experience incorporates intrinsically motivating activities such as exploring, questioning, and problem-solving." (Vygotsky, 1978)

I will choose some tools related to students in the LMS, such as discussion, assignments, and an online quiz, and let them explore them. Students are then required to use the system itself to give feedback on the collaborative tools, such as google form, to get their input.

2- Scaffolding

"Scaffolding is actually a bridge used to build upon what students already know to arrive at something they do not know. If Scaffolding is properly administered, it will act as an enabler, not as a disabler" (Benson, 1997).

When the students are ready to teach and share the skills that they learned, I will be a scaffolding approach to break the classroom into smaller groups and observe the learning. I can use the strategy "show and tell" by sharing the new LMS system overview through a projector screen then discuss, in detail, what the tools and how they apply. I can also use another strategy such as, "pause, ask questions, pause, review."

Connection to the ZPD

The zone of proximal development (ZPD) has been defined as:

"The distance between the actual developmental level as determined by independent problem solving and the level of potential development as determined through problem-solving under adult guidance, or in collaboration with more capable peers" (Vygotsky, 1978, p. 86).

In this scenario, the pilot group created from students who have the knowledge needed to build on with learning the new LMS system. As they were familiar with a similar system or advanced in using the previous LMS system at the school. For the rest of the students, the ZPD concept applied as they will learn by the exploration of the application and with guidance and encouragement from a skilled partner.