Knowledge construction is characterized by active engagement in critical reasoning, integration of new information with pre-existing knowledge, and the strategic application of cognitive skills to generate novel understandings.
Here's a breakdown of the key characteristics:
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Active Engagement and Critical Reasoning:
- Students are not passive recipients of information. They actively question, analyze, and evaluate the material they encounter.
- They engage in critical thinking, weighing evidence, identifying biases, and formulating their own informed opinions.
- Example: Instead of just memorizing historical dates, students analyze the causes and consequences of historical events, considering different perspectives.
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Integration of New Information with Prior Knowledge:
- New information is not learned in isolation. Instead, students consciously connect it to their existing knowledge base.
- This integration helps them to make sense of the new information, identify patterns, and build a more comprehensive understanding.
- Example: A student learning about photosynthesis connects it to their prior knowledge of plants, sunlight, and energy.
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Strategic Application of Cognitive Skills:
- Knowledge construction requires the use of a variety of cognitive skills, such as problem-solving, decision-making, analysis, and synthesis.
- Students learn to strategically select and apply these skills to effectively process information and generate new knowledge.
- Example: When presented with a complex scientific problem, students might use analysis to break it down into smaller parts, synthesis to combine different concepts, and problem-solving to develop a solution.
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Purposeful and Intentional Process:
- Knowledge construction is not a random or accidental occurrence. It is a purposeful activity driven by a desire to understand and learn.
- Students actively seek out information, formulate questions, and engage in activities that promote understanding.
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Dynamic and Iterative:
- Knowledge construction is an ongoing process. As students learn more, their understanding evolves and changes.
- They may revise their initial understanding, refine their ideas, and develop new perspectives.
- This iterative process helps them to develop a deeper and more nuanced understanding of the world around them.
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Generation of New Knowledge and Understanding:
- The ultimate goal of knowledge construction is to create new understandings and insights.
- Students don't just reproduce existing knowledge; they actively generate new knowledge by combining, synthesizing, and applying information in novel ways.
In summary, knowledge construction is an active, dynamic, and strategic process where learners critically reason, integrate new information with existing understanding, and apply cognitive skills to generate their own unique knowledge and insights.
