Designing Constructivist Learning Environments using a Concept Browser
Minakshi Sharma1, Sonal Chawla2
1Ms. Minakshi Sharma, DCSA, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.
2Dr. Sonal Chawla, DCSA, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.
Manuscript received on 20 November 2014 | Revised Manuscript received on 30 November 2014 | Manuscript published on 30 November 2014 | PP: 70-76 | Volume-3 Issue-5, November 2014 | Retrieval Number: E1281113514/2014©BEIESP
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© The Authors. Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering and Sciences Publication (BEIESP). This is an open access article under the CC-BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Abstract: Theory of constructivism is considered as the best way to promote self guided learning and involve the learner in his process of learning. Constructivist learning environments(CLE) are the models which are based on theory of constructivism. Concept maps can be effective tools in creating CLEs specially in the subject domains where the content is in structured form. Concept browsers present a tool that can be used to create a network of concept maps in such a manner that different concept maps are interlinked on the basis of common concepts or as generalization to specific relationships. These interrelated concept maps can be browsed simply like web and the concept nodes contain links to various content resources. Further, a CLE based on concept map networks created using concept browser may be extended into semantic web by incorporating RDF or ontologies at the back end for storing or retrieving knowledge repositories. The purpose of this paper is to 1) to study constructivism and its principles 2) constructivist learning environments, components and their design principles 3) study conceptual browsing and components of context maps and 4) how concept maps can be helpful in creation of constructivist learning environments.
Keywords: Concept browser, Constructivist learning environments, Conversation and collaboration tools, Information gathering tools, Knowledge construction tools, Learning systems, Pedagogical, Social, Technical, Theory of constructivism
Scope of the Article: Geotechnical Engineering