Social Constructivism in Online Learning: Andragogical Influence and the Effectual Educator
Journal Title: e-mentor - Year 2017, Vol 70, Issue 3
Abstract
Today's educational landscape is changing swiftly. Technology is steadily improving, and the demands of the modern workforce weigh heavily on both businesses and the individuals within; and so, it is imperative that higher education keeps pace accordingly. As adult learners return to school in record numbers, online (distance) learning has become a prevalent staple of academia. As a result, the learning models and teaching methods applied in online courses have arisen as a contentious source of debate. Research and expert opinion often point to constructivism - more specifically, social constructivism - as the preferred delivery mode for online learning and adult education (andragogy). However, latent ideologies and assumptions of both constructivism and andragogy, coupled with technology's overwhelming influence on contemporary education, leave the door open for continued argument regarding its impact on both the student and the teacher. Consequently, this raises several critical questions. First, what exactly are constructivism and social constructivism? Second, how does social constructivism work? Third, what roles do students, teachers, and technology play in the learning process? Lastly, how do the distinctions of andragogy affect social constructivism in online teaching?
Authors and Affiliations
Scott Secore
The University of the Third Age in Poland. A democratic and holistic approach to the education of the elderly
The article describes the history of a specific type of the University of the Third Age which was developed in Poland and spread out to other countries in the region. The author describes the genesis of this type of educ...
Niemiecka droga do LLL University
The idea of lifelong learning (LLL) is present in education policy since the 1960s. From the andragogy perspective, it is an empty notion. Despite its long existence, it is not a scientific concept defined with analytica...
Adaptive Learning: Context and Complexity
Adaptive learning technologies impact higher education by modifying the traditional time constraints placed on the learning cycle, thus permitting students to compress or expand their learning spaces. Previous work by th...
Widzialne i niewidzialne piękno matematyki
Artykuł dotyczy fenomenu piękna matematyki dostępnego na poziomie estetycznym oraz na poziomie intelektualnym. Ma na celu ukazanie wybranych obiektów matematycznych ilustrowanych za pomocą ich widzialnych reprezentacji....
Skuteczność działań edukacyjnych w obszarze finansów na przykładzie projektu "Finanse dla młodych, czyli jak zarabiać, inwestować i oszczędzać pieniądze w przyszłości"
Wyniki wielu badań naukowych o zasięgu krajowym i międzynarodowym wskazują na niski poziom świadomości finansowej Polaków. Deficyt wiedzy w obszarze finansów osobistych, niezadowalający poziom umiejętności oraz niewłaści...