BRUNER’S CONSTRUCTIVIST

THEORY

OBJECTIVES: explain the individual’s ability and

development to represent knowledge. differentiate and discuss the kinds of categories of identity, equivalent and coding. Explain how spiral curriculum works.

Jerome Seymour Bruner

- one of the first proponents of constructivism.

Constructivism- is an epistemological belief about

what "knowing" is and how one "come to know."

Constructivism reject the notions that:

1. Knowledge is an identifiable entity with

absolute truth value,

2. Meaning can be passed on to

learners via symbols or transmission,

3. Learners can incorporate exact copies of teacher’s understanding for their own use.

“Learning is an active process in which learners construct new ideas or concepts based upon their current/past knowledge.”

- major theme in the theoretical framework of Bruner.

BRUNER’S MAIN CONCEPTS1. Representation Modes of Presenting Understanding: a. Enactive representation- children learn about the world through actions on physical objects and the outcomes of these actions.

- represent objects in terms of immediate sensations. - represented in the muscles and involve responses or ways to manipulate the environment. b. Iconic – obtained through using models and

pictures.

- the learner can now use mental images to stand for certain objects or events. c. Symbolic representation- the learner has

developed the ability to think abstract terms.

2. Spiral Curriculum- instruction needs to be anchored on the learner’s cognitive capabilities. Principles of instruction: 1. Readiness 2. Spiral Organization 3. Going beyond the information given

3. Discovering Learning- refers to obtaining

knowledge for oneself. Major Aspects in the Theory of Instruction: a. Predisposition to learn- “ readiness for

learning”.

b. Structure of Knowledge- the ways in which a body of knowledge can be structured so that it can

be most readily gasped by the learner.

c. Effective Sequencing- presentation of lessons in increasing difficulty.

d. Reinforcement- rewards and punishment that should be selected and paced

appropriately.4. Categorization- Bruner believed that perception, conceptualization, learning, decision making, and making inferences all involved categorization.

Kinds of Categories:1. Identity Categories- include objects

based on their attributes or features. 2. Equivalent Categories- provide rules for

combining categories.3. Coding Systems- serve to recognize

sensory input.

“ People interpret the world mostly in terms of similarities and differences”.

- valuable contribution to how individuals construct their own models or view on the world.

References: http://www.personal.psu.edu/users/w/x/wxh139/construct.htmAquino, A.(2009). Facilitating Human Learning. Manila,Philippines, Rex Book Store Inc.

Prepared by:Zichara Y. Jumawan

BSEd- 2