In the classroom, the constructivist view of learning can point towards a number of different teaching practices. In the most general sense, it usually means encouraging students to use active techniques (experiments, real-world problem solving) to create more knowledge and then to reflect on and talk about what they are doing and how their understanding is changing. The teacher makes sure she understands the students’ preexisting conceptions, and guides the activity to address them and then build on them. Constructivist teachers encourage students to constantly assess how the activity is helping them gain understanding. By questioning themselves and their strategies, students in the constructivist classroom ideally become “expert learners.” This gives them ever-broadening tools to keep learning. With a well-planned classroom environment, the students learn HOW TO LEARN.

You might look at it as a spiral. When they continuously reflect on their experiences, students find their ideas gaining in complexity and power, and they develop increasingly strong abilities to integrate new information. One of the teacher’s main roles becomes to encourage this learning and reflection process.

For example: Groups of students in a science class are discussing a problem in physics. Though the teacher knows the “answer” to the problem, she focuses on helping students restate their questions in useful ways. She prompts each student to reflect on and examine his or her current knowledge. When one of the students comes up with the relevant concept, the teacher seizes upon it, and indicates to the group that this might be a fruitful avenue for them to explore. They design and perform relevant experiments. Afterward, the students and teacher talk about what they have learned, and how their observations and experiments helped (or did not help) them to better understand the concept.

Contrary to criticisms by some (conservative/traditional) educators, constructivism does not dismiss the active role of the teacher or the value of expert knowledge. Constructivism modifies that role, so that teachers help students to construct knowledge rather than to reproduce a series of facts. The constructivist teacher provides tools such as problem-solving and inquiry-based learning activities with which students formulate and test their ideas, draw conclusions and inferences, and pool and convey their knowledge in a collaborative learning environment. Constructivism transforms the student from a passive recipient of information to an active participant in the learning process. Always guided by the teacher, students construct their knowledge actively rather than just mechanically ingesting knowledge from the teacher or the textbook.

Constructivism is also often misconstrued as a learning theory that compels students to “reinvent the wheel.” In fact, constructivism taps into and triggers the student’s innate curiosity about the world and how things work. Students do not reinvent the wheel but, rather, attempt to understand how it turns, how it functions. They become engaged by applying their existing knowledge and real-world experience, learning to hypothesize, testing their theories, and ultimately drawing conclusions from their findings. 

The best way for you to really understand what constructivism is and what it means in your classroom is by seeing examples of it at work, speaking with others about it, and trying it yourself. As you progress through each segment of this workshop, keep in mind questions or ideas to share with your colleagues. 

Here is a video on constructivist view point of learning

Getting There:

We took a flight to Kauai from Honolulu. There are direct flights from United airways and US airways from major cities to Kauai. Our Plane was small could not take more than 40 people in flight. Even it didn’t flew so high. But looking at the aqua color ocean from plane was beautiful.

Our Stay:

We stayed at Debb and Ken’s place in Kauai. Debb and Ken has a small cottage outside their house and they rent the cottage. The cottage is for two people. It has patio, kitchen, living room, dining area and nice kitchen. It has amazingly beautiful valley view. Debb and Ken were very nice hosts and they kept their cottage as clean as possible. It was home away from home. They took care of small small things that you require in your home. It was beautiful experience living in that cottage. They were helpful for any help that was needed. Their three dogs and two horses were a good company. They were wonderful hosts. I would recommend that you live in that cottage versus living in hotel. It is beautifully located with all the amenities you need.

First Day

Second Day:

Waimea

Second day was a lot of fun.It was full of advanture. We headed out very early in the morning to see Waimea Canyon and Napali Coast from the other side. The ride to the Waimea was about 45 minutes from our place. We left our place at around 7 a.m. While on the road we were driving parallel to ocean. Morning sun rays were touching the sea shore it was golden heaven. We saw na pali coast. It was very peaceful out there. There were red canyons and other side there was ocean. That was amazing. We meditated for a while.

(picture of us together) and (na pali coast)

Waimea (Pic of waimea)

Stunts at Kipu Falls ( We wish we could take our snaps but we were simple busy doing stunts)

Kipu falls was most advanturous part of our trip. We hiked to Kipu falls. It was about 10 minutes to hike. There is no direct car access road to that falls. It is hidden gem in Kauai.

(Insert hike to kipu falls photo and me at kipu falls photo) and jinal at kipu falls photo)

We thought that there is no access to bathe when we reached there. But we saw people jumping from the top of the fall to the fall. With string and other thing. Even we felt like doing those stunts. When I was suppose to jump from the rock to Kipu falls I was scared it took me like 15 minutes to jump from that rock. It was damn scary. But I did it. And Jinal did it too. Here is a video. Unfortunately we didn’t have anyone to take our video but here is one. That has jumps.

When we fell down it was really hard to swim as the water flow was really dense. Then we did one more stunt. That was jumping from rope to Kipu falls. Again we couldn’t take our video as we both were in water but some sample.

We couldn’t believe that we did those stunts. It was really exciting. Specially there were no guards to life savers no public access. It was the most memorable thing ever.

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