Guide on the Side - Constructivism
Advantages- Students learn more when they are actively engaged
- Students use higher order thinking skills
- Students are able to take ownership of what they learn
- Students learn to collaborate with others
- Can lead to "group think"
- Is seen by some as elitist and not for everyone
- Criticized by some as not having proven outcomes
The constructivist teaching style is often termed "the guide on the side". This contrasts with the "sage on the stage" style which has been used for centuries. While each style has it's advantages and disadvantages, constructivism seems to work best for teaching information literacy. "When students are engaged in actively processing information by reconstructing that information in such new and personally meaningful ways, they are far more likely to remember it and apply it in new situations" (King, 1993). Research is a skill that must be transferrable to whatever the subject one is researching. Teaching as guide enables students to select their own subject which makes it both meaningful and useful to them while they are learning the critical thinking skills of research. Constructivism also promotes active learning which engages students at a higher level. Finally, since the teacher is a guide along the way, when students have trouble the needed encouragement and help is right there along side them.
Brooks, J. G (2004) Constructivism as a Paradigm for Teaching and Learning. Thirteen Ed Online. Educational Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved May 18, 2009 from http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/constructivism/index.html
King, A. (1993, Winter93). From sage on the stage to guide on the side. College Teaching, 41(1), 30. Retrieved May 18, 2009, from Academic Search Elite database.
My personal teaching philosophy
