Gagarin, Queen Georgia E.
BEED II-A
Assignment #2
1. Are there downfalls in using constructivist teaching theory?
The biggest downfalls in using constructivist teaching theory is its lack of structure. Some
students require highly structured environments in order to be able to excel. Constructivism calls
for the teacher to discard standardized curriculum in favor or a more personalized course of
study based on what the student already knows. This could lead some students to fall behind of
others. It also removes grading in the traditional way and instead places more value on students
evaluating their own progress, which may lead to students falling behind but without
standardized grading and evaluations teachers may not know that the student is struggling. Since
there is no evaluation in the traditional sense, the student may not be creating knowledge as the
theory asserts, but just be copying what other students are doing. Another disadvantage is that it
can actually lead students to be confused and frustrated because they may not have the ability to
form relationships and abstracts between the knowledge they already have and the knowledge
they are learning for themselves. Constructivism can have its place in the learning system, but as
an absolute learning system it has some flaws. Students may benefit with some constructivism
principles integrated into the classroom setting, however, most students need more structure and
evaluation to succeed.
2. What does constructivist strategy work best?
In my own opinion, constructivist strategy that works best especially in science is concept maps.
These are helpful to elicit misconceptions and revision exercise to assess understanding after the
delivery of a topic. Concept maps are the schematic drawing which are used for the showing
relationship among the concepts in a proposition form. Concept maps, diagrams and other
graphic organizers are useful tools illustrate the links between main concepts and sub concepts.
The concept map is helps students to relate their previous knowledge to the new knowledge.
Concept map concentrates mainly on the importance of prior knowledge and meaningful
learning. It can serve as a vehicle for obtaining a graphic representation of information held in
memory. It can therefore give an insight into ideas lodged in a student’s cognitive structure.
Gagarin, Queen Georgia E.
BEED II-A
Assignment #3
1. What is the importance of instructional planning?
Instructional planning constitutes essential for quality teaching. Moreover, whatever way you
plan a lesson, lesson planning is an essential part of the teacher's work. If the teacher has planned
his lesson both wisely and too well he will enter his class with confidence and with an easy
conscience. It enables you to be innovative and try out new approaches and ideas in your
teaching. When busy and tired, it’s not surprising that some teachers stick with teaching
activities that are tried and tested and which manifestly work successfully. There is nothing
wrong with this over the short-term. The time and effort you put into planning your lessons will
deliver rich dividends for your pupils in being able to experience lessons that you have homed to
perfection.
2. What is the importance of planning for elementary science?
It is important that science lessons have a narrative. The lesson needs a story or context so the
rationale for learning is meaningful and clear. If a lesson becomes a series of DO NOWs,
worksheets and plenaries, students will be unable to see the bigger picture. When they get stuck
they will be unable to find their way out. Science lessons are complex. We are teachers of
language, maths, literacy, practical skills, health and safety and scientific knowledge. We must
also remedy deeply held misconceptions. Students are asked to think about the abstract world
and suspend many of their logical beliefs. Successful science lessons therefore require careful
planning to ensure learning does not result in a cognitive mess.