What is constructivism anyway? In this episode I explore that topic with Dr. Eugene Geist. We also explore what some would consider a radical concept in education: democratic schools. What would happen if we let children decide how they wanted to learn? Complete Chaos? Or an exciting new way to get students involved in and taking responsibility for learning? Find out in this episode of The Psych Files.

Concept Map

Feel free to contact me if you’d like me to send you my maps for the episode on New Year’s Resolutions and Weight Loss the Schools of Psychology and for Piaget’s Stages of Cognitive Development.

Constructivism (Constructivist Education)

• Children naturally enjoy learning
• Let’s let children tell us where they want to go and let’s build on their natural curiosity
• The teacher’s role: use questioning techniques and act as a facilitator
• The teacher’s role: arrange the environment
• The teacher’s role: encourage interaction with objects and other students

Resources on Democratic Schools

• Democracy and Education
• The Pursuit of Happiness- THE LIVES OF SUDBURY VALLEY ALUMNI
• Alternative Education Resource Organization (AERO)
• The Directory of Democratic Education
• Radical boarding school escapes closure threat
• International Democratic Education Network
• Here is an example of a democratic school – Sudbury Valley School