1. Notes for EDUC 600 on 3/24
   
   I. Phillips
   A. Problem
   1. Means of clarifying constructivism
   2. Ask to critically looking at constructivism
   3. Illustrates that a concept that we use and integrate it
   B. Definition
   1. Constructivism
   a. Individual psychology vs. public discipline
   · Construct knowledge construct knowledge
   themselves over time due to need
   b. Humans as creator vs. nature as instructor
   · Knowledge is made Knowledge is discovered
   c. Active vs. passive
   · Knowledge is product Take in raw data
   of active searching
   C. Thesis
   1. Clarification and organization of constructivism
   2. Method of understanding
   3. Knowledge is a tool to help us do better in the world
   D. The good, bad and ugly of constructivism
   1. Good because constructivism places a necessity for active participation by the learner
   2. Bad because constructivism tends to treat the justification of our knowledge as being entirely a matter of sociopolitical process
   3. Ugly because constructivism that people who use constructivism don’t really know what it is.
   II. Elgin
   A. Problem
   1. Knowledge vs. Understanding
   2. Plato’s teaching assumption “you have to know something to really teach it”.
   3. Knowledge is justified by true belief
   4. Most of our beliefs even though they maybe true lack the justification to be knowledge
   B. Understanding
   1. Doesn’t require truth
   2. Holistic
   3. Admits to degrees
   4. Not restricted to facts
   C. Understanding needs to be just above the level of our students
   III. Siegel
   A. Thesis
   1. Principles are what you base your reasoning on
   2. Reason is only a reason if it is based on a principle
   3. Critical thinker is one who is moved by reason
   4. Reason is based on principles in similar situations
   B. Critical Thinkers are
   1. Problem solvers
   2. Why something happened
   3. Open to new possibilities
   C. Epistemology
   1. Justification of belief
   2. There are general rules = logic
   3. There are subject specific rules
   D. Students should know how & when to apply rules of reasoning to be a critical thinker & be willing to apply them with the appropriate attitude.