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Mathematics and Life 93 Constructivism in mathematics education

 Constructivism in mathematics education


Background The theoretical concept, detailed practical execution, exhaustive and well documented research are some of the key features of the theory of constructivism given by Jian Piaget 



The Swiss expert was the first to give milestones of cognitive development. How a child develops thinking and what activity can be expected from what age group child. His theory, based on extensive, exhaustive, well documented research was accepted across the world.


Essence of Constructivism is - like we construct a house, brick by brick, floor on floor, we construct or develop knowledge also gradually. Building the new knowledge, the new reality, based on our current knowledge or reality.


In practical terms, the constructivist does not believe in teaching subjects, topics, in isolation. It believes, on the contrary, in interconnectedness of knowledge. Building common experience. As a consequence, it also believes that each child is different. So are her learning experiences, learning preferences. 


That is the reason all modern school systems, like the IB, believe in Project based, collaborative, learning through experiences. They believe in giving the child a fair chance to explore different ways of learning the same concept.


The CBSE Standard I mathematics curriculum, for example, expects a child to know numbers from 1 till 20 only. But, the child is supposed to develop a number sense. That is, being able to read, write all numbers. Can handle simple transactions. Can write a number statement. Can find the missing number, can write the number patterns…….


Another variant can be the use of colours, music, actual measurement of length, time, money…


This link has a presentation on the idea 


https://www.slideshare.net/GovindSrini1/constructivism-241991600


Free Support In case you are stuck with some current or past sheet or concept and wish to clear your doubts, I will be publicly available on 


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Dr Prakash Moghe

8085906062, 7489447223

drpnmoghe@gmail.com

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