Are Constructivism & Lecture Compatible?
Which is better lecture or a constructivist approach? Would you rather go to California or by car? Do you take the bus or did you bring your lunch? Are you married or do you still live in Pittsburgh? A lecture is a strategy. Constructivism is a theory about learning and knowledge. Strategies that can be integrated into a constructivist classroom include reflection, portfolios, authentic tasks, lectures, performance assessments, assigned readings, probing questions, cooperative learning, etc. Whether a classroom is constructivist, or whether a teacher should be identified as a constructivist teacher depends on how strategies are used, when they are used and the purpose for which they are utilized. A lecture, as a strategy, can be part of a constructivist lesson (as an intervention), or it can be used in situations that run counter to how research indicates people learn. To contend that a lesson has to be either a lecture or constructivist is no less ridiculous than to insist that an ani
