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The Information Transfer Process:
A Constructivism Approach to Elementary Education
Breanna Gutierrez
Emporia State University
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The Information Transfer Process:
A Constructivism Approach to Elementary Education
INTRODUCTION
The creation of knowledge dates back to the early inhabitants of our world. Originally
knowledge was diffused to students in an explicit, teacher led delivery. After years of this style
of teaching, a new theory was put into action in the classroom; constructivism. Constructivism
is a psychological theory of knowledge (epistemology) which argues that humans construct
knowledge and meaning from their experiences (Constructivism, 2009). The intent of this
paper is to take a step by step look at how constructivism relates to the information transfer
process.
CREATION
Creation is externally-produced knowledge through research and development
(Herbert Achleitner, personal communication). The theorist, Jean Piaget, defined a new route for
education to be diffused. Prior to his theory, education was often delivered through lecture and
was generally very teacher centered. Piaget found a need for students to take part in their
education. Piaget developed the theory of cognitive development. The focus of Jean Piagets
theory is the various reconstructions that an individuals thinking undergoes in the development
of logical reasoning(Green and Gredler, 2002). His work set the basis for constructivism. He
believed the material world should be the basis for learning and that the learner should
experiment and arrive at conclusions on their own. In Piagets constructivism approach, the
teacher facilitates the students learning and creates a spontaneous environment where the
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students can learn by actively constructing new knowledge, not by having information poured
into their heads (Beisser and Gillespie, 2003).
Another theorist, Lev Vygotsky, focused on constructivism. While Piaget believed
students learn at their own pace and control their outcome of learning, Vygotsky indentified
complex skills as the goal of cognitive development. In Vygotskys theory the teacher is the
model, specifically, the teacher, working with the child, explains, informs, inquires, corrects,
and forces the child himself to explain (Green and Gredler, 2002). The child takes control of
his learning during the explanation. Vygotsky and Piaget created theories which have
continuously been studied, critiqued, debated, and implemented by professionals.
DISSEMINATION
Knowledge dissemination is The one-way spreading of information that helps the user
seek and acquire alternative sources of information and learn about options (Herbert Achleitner,
personal communication). Constructivism has been disseminated in many different outlets. The
movement is prominently featured in academic and practitioner journals and books. Several
published books and journals, such as Educational Leadership, Educational Research, Journal of
Special Education, Learning Disabilities: Research and Practice, School Psychology, feature
constructivism. These texts serve as an outlet to pass on the knowledge of Piaget and Vygotsky.
Another popular and newer approach for the dissemination of constructivism is found on
the internet. The blog, Constructivist Education, found at http://education.onbloglist.com/tunka/,
defines constructivism to the public and informs users of the different theories contributing to
constructivism. This blog is unique because it is strictly disseminating information without
providing an outlet for discussion.
http://education.onbloglist.com/tunka/http://education.onbloglist.com/tunka/http://education.onbloglist.com/tunka/ -
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ORGANIZATION
In order for knowledge to be accessible for patrons it must be organized. Knowledge
organization is a systematic arranging of data, information, and knowledge to facilitate
identification, access and retrieval (Herbert Achleitner, personal communication). There are
several ways information is organized. It is organized by the Library of Congress, the Dewey
Decimal system and by subject headings.
Piaget is the main contributor to constructivism; therefore our focus is on his theories and
work. Piaget is found in the Dewey Decimal System under child psychology, reference number
155.4. Piaget can be found in the Library of Congress in developmental psychology, BF723.C5,
education BF723.C5 and also early childhood education (Library of Congress, 2009). These
headings are often used when researching information on Piaget.
DIFFUSION
Once knowledge has been created and disseminated, it must now be diffused. Diffusion
is the process by which an innovation is communicated through certain channels over time
among members of a social system (Herbert Achleitner, personal communication).
Constructivism is diffused through workshops or conferences, staff development in-services, and
university curriculum.
Several conferences have workshops focusing on using a constructivist approach in the
classroom. A summer conference that many educators around the United States attend is the
Constructivist Design Conference on Educational Improvement in New York. The conference
gives the background knowledge needed to understand the theory and then immerses the
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participants in a hands on constructivist project to diffuse the information. The conference focus
states,
Some conference participants focus almost exclusively on the task they came to achieve,
while others are more interested in learning constructivist strategies they can adapt to
their own work. Many participants are focused equally on their task and the strategies,
which are modeled throughout the week. Whatever your goal, whatever you want to get
out of the experience.... it can be achieved. (The Institute for Learning Centered
Education, 2009)
After attending conferences and workshops, many educators present staff development
in-services to their school faculty. At Delaware Ridge Elementary School in Bonner Springs, KS
the staff regularly takes part in constructivist based in-services. The school is based on
Expeditionary learning where the students take part in daily learning experiences they help create
and solve. Miss Dykman, a first grade teacher in Bonner explains, Our curriculum instructors
base nearly all of our staff developments on using a constructivist approach with our students.
They often facilitate our sessions and let us discover the importance of constructivism on our
own.
The most formal diffusion of constructivism takes part in the university walls. As a
growing number of university education departments are aligning curriculum with constructivist
theory, many students are interested in exploring graduate programs that are similarly focused.
The following lists several universities offering graduate programs in constructivism:
Antioch New England Graduate School, NHBenedictine University, ILCastleton State College, VT
Columbia College, MONiagara University, NY
Purdue University, INSt. Lawrence University, NY
SUNY Plattsburg, NYVirginia Tech, VA (
http://www.learnercentereded.org/graduateschools_info.html#Antiochhttp://www.learnercentereded.org/graduateschools_info.html#Benedictinehttp://www.learnercentereded.org/graduateschools_info.html#Castletonhttp://www.learnercentereded.org/graduateschools_info.html#Columbiahttp://www.learnercentereded.org/graduateschools_info.html#Niagarahttp://www.learnercentereded.org/graduateschools_info.html#Purduehttp://www.learnercentereded.org/graduateschools_info.html#StLawrencehttp://www.learnercentereded.org/graduateschools_info.html#Plattsburghhttp://www.learnercentereded.org/graduateschools_info.html#VirginiaTechhttp://www.learnercentereded.org/graduateschools_info.html#Antiochhttp://www.learnercentereded.org/graduateschools_info.html#Benedictinehttp://www.learnercentereded.org/graduateschools_info.html#Castletonhttp://www.learnercentereded.org/graduateschools_info.html#Columbiahttp://www.learnercentereded.org/graduateschools_info.html#Niagarahttp://www.learnercentereded.org/graduateschools_info.html#Purduehttp://www.learnercentereded.org/graduateschools_info.html#StLawrencehttp://www.learnercentereded.org/graduateschools_info.html#Plattsburghhttp://www.learnercentereded.org/graduateschools_info.html#VirginiaTech -
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After the knowledge of constructivism has been diffused to the recipients they are ready to
utilize the theory.
UTILIZATION
Knowledge can be considered a loss if it is not utilized in some way. Knowledge
utilization is a process which aims at increasing the employment of knowledge to solve
problems and improve the quality of organizational decision-making (Herbert Achleitner,
personal communication). Constructivism is utilized throughout the nation and world. Teachers
and students from coast to coast take part in constructivist learning everyday.
Schools have been created on the basis of constructivism. A new trend in schools is
expeditionary learning. In these schools, faculty study constructivist theories and put them in
action in their classrooms. The classroom is set up as crews who work together in their learning.
The Ron Clark Academy Charter School in Atlanta is also an example of constructivism in
action. Ron Clarks school is designed around the students individual learning needs and
growth patterns.
Another utilization of Piagets theory is in school curriculum. Many textbooks have been
designed around his theory. The primary math series, Investigations, is designed to let students
explore their own methods of learning. The teacher facilitates the students while they develop
their own strategies and explanations. Students and teachers utilize Piagets knowledge in their
everyday practice.
PRESERVATION
Information can only continue in the informational process if is preserved. Knowledge
preservation is the faithful storage and maintenance of documents to facilitate future use
(Herbert Achleitner, personal communication). Piagets works are all collected within the
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University of Geneva where Piaget resided as an adult. All of Jean Piagets writings: books and
articles, conference reports, prefaces and more are stored in their original and translated versions.
The collection also includes original handwritten manuscripts by Piaget. Due to the extreme
fragility of many of these works, they are not available for patrons to check out. However, much
of the collection has been preserved in electronic formats or can be photocopied with permission.
(Archives).
CONCLUSION
The knowledge of constructivism has grown and developed following the information
transfer process. The knowledge was created by theorists such as Piaget and Vygotsky,
disseminated by journals and websites, organized into classification systems and diffused to
users in conferences and graduate school programs. Constructivism is utilized in classroom
settings and curriculum by teachers and students. It is preserved in a special collection at the
University of Geneva. Constructivism continues to cycle through the information transfer
process and is diffused and utilized on a regular basis.
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References
Archives Jean Piaget. Retrieved March 2, 2009, from http://archivespiaget.ch/en/index.html
Dewey Decimal Classification System (13th ed.). (n.d.) Retrieved March 2, 2009, from
http://www-lib.nearnorth.edu.on.ca/dewey/ddc.htm
Beisser,S., & Gillespie, C. (2003). Kindergarteners can do it-so can you: A case study of a
constructionist technology-rich first year seminar for undergraduate college students.
Information Technology in Childhood Education Annual, 243-260.
Constructivism. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary
Retrieved March 23rd, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/constructivism
Green, S., & Gredler, M. (2002). A review and analysis of constructivism for school-based practice.School Pyschology Review, 31, 53-70
Library of Congress. (n.d.) Library of Congress Classification outline: Class P- language and
literature. Retrieved March 1, 2009, fromhttp://www.loc.gov/aba/
cataloging/classification/lcco/lcco_p.pdf
The Institute for Learning Centered Education. Retrieved March 22, 2009, from
http://www.learnercenterded.org
http://www-lib.nearnorth.edu.on.ca/dewey/ddc.htmhttp://www.yourdictionary.com/constructivismhttp://www.loc.gov/aba/%20cataloging/http://www.loc.gov/aba/%20cataloging/http://www.loc.gov/aba/%20cataloging/http://www.learnercenterded.org/http://www-lib.nearnorth.edu.on.ca/dewey/ddc.htmhttp://www.yourdictionary.com/constructivismhttp://www.loc.gov/aba/%20cataloging/http://www.loc.gov/aba/%20cataloging/http://www.learnercenterded.org/