Constructivism

Constructivism is very popular in Taiwan. Its implication is based on Piaget's schema theory in which people adapt themselves with assimilation or accommodation, but apply Vygotsky's scaffolding and ZPD to construct their new concepts. The result from constructivism however is not as expected. There are two reasons I would like to point out here. The first is the lack of language skills from students. According to Vygotsky, human beings utilize language as media to promote low level semantics to high level social recognition. If one doesn't have enough language skill to make dialogues or reflect back, he tends to lose his new concept and won't be able to get his consciousness and practice together. The second is its meaningless instruction by some instructors. Constructivism depends on learner's cognitive rather than teacher's pedagogy. I have seen competitive students making progress through dialogues and reflection, but also observed many students stuck on the midway of thinking process. I remembered once that I was provided with a mathematic question in a workshop, which only tried to make top students think through but medium students confused. I don't object to fulfill constructivism for elementary school, but it is necessary to imply with care.