Accommodation – changing your meaning to fit new information you have processed (Developmental Psychology, 2008).
Assimilation – making meaning of new information based on what you already know (Developmental Psychology, 2008).
Collaboration – Working together towards a learning goal. Collaboration needs to involve discussion and social negotiation thereby opening up ones constructs to alternative viewpoints (Driscoll, 2005).
Metacognition – Awareness of ones own thought processes and best methods to learning. Can include self reflection and reflexivity (Driscoll, 2005).
Microworld – is an environment where learners construct knowledge using technological tools in pursuit of learning goals and problem solving activities (EduTech, 2010).
Multiple modes of representation – “Revisiting the same material, at different times, in rearranged contexts, for different purposes, and from different conceptual perspectives is essential for attaining the goals of advanced knowledge acquisition” (Spiro et al., 1991, as cited in Driscoll, 2005).
Reflexivity – Critical attitude in learners. Learners become aware of how to best explore developing new constructs in their learning (Driscoll, 2005).
Scaffolding – the guidance a student receives to reach a higher level of development (Lev Vygotsky, 2008).
Software shells – a program that interprets commands from the user so that the operating system can understand them and perform the appropriate functions (TechTerms, 2010).
Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) – refers to the gap or difference between a child’s existing abilities and what he or she can learn under the guidance of an adult or a more capable peer (Lev Vygotsky, 2008).
References
Developmental psychology. (2008, August 15). New World Encyclopedia. Retrieved from http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Developmental_psychology?oldid=782756
Driscoll. M.P. (2005). Psychology of Learning for Instruction (pp. 384-407; Ch. 11 – Constructivism). Toronto, ON: Pearson.
EduTech (2010). Retrieved from EduTech wiki: http://edutechwiki.unige.ch/en/Microworld
Lev Vygotsky. (2008, April 30). New World Encyclopedia. Retrieved from http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Lev_Vygotsky?oldid=699798
TechTerms (2010). The Tech Terms Computer Dictionary. Retrieved from: http://www.techterms.com/definition/shell