Unit 1 Knowledge Building Theory

ETAP623 : Unit 1 - Knowledge Building, Theory

This page last changed on Jan 23, 2008 by wikiadm1.

Unit Learning Objective:The Learner will be able to identify the unique characteristics of Knowledge Building

Introduction

View the 8 minute video on Knowledge Building (KB) as explained by a leading expert in the field Marlene Scardamalia.

Knowledge Building
The link above will bring you to "Jumpcut" where you can click the play button

and view the clip. After the initial introduction by Scardamalia, the video continues with KB as can be seen in a real classroom.
(Please use your browser 'back' button to return to this page and continue with the lesson)

KB Theory

Today's learners live in an ever evolving society full of technology and complex social organizations. It is vital, therefore, now more than ever that students leave school with the ability to successfully maneuver the complicated world in which they will live. One educational model currently being utilized in several schools around the world promises to provide our students with the tools they need to do so successfully. It is called Knowledge Building (KB.

Knowledge building begins with the premise that learning requires that there be a collective responsibility for the advancement of knowledge ([5407253.html Scardamalia, 2002]; [5407253.html Scardamalia & Bereiter, 1996, 1999]). This theory goes beyond some of the more recent learning models such as '[Cognitive Apprenticeship.html cognitive apprenticeship]' or '[Learning Communities in the Classroom.html learning communities]' (click links to view Wiki pages on these topics) and positions the students as participants in a learning organization ([5407253.html Zhang et. al., 2007]) who essentially build new knowledge utilizing an online environment as a communication tool. This KB environment, in the classroom as well as online, enables them to become more like members of a scientific research. Essentially, it enables them to create knowledge rather than just being students who are sitting being taught.

While revolutionary in some respects, KB still relies on various aspects of traditional educational practice. Face-to-face learning is still utilized, as it sets the stage for students to build the knowledge community. Library research and other background reading have a place, as do classroom or outside work in the form of self-directed experiments. These things all allow the students to continue the KB discourse in the online environment, where they will direct the flow of learning with intermittent direction from the teacher and other subject experts as is required.

*The remaining modules of Unit One can be viewed in any order desired; however, the 'Wrap-Up' should be viewed last before moving on to Unit 2.