Activity 3.4

O’Donnell, working from the research of Moshman, would describe the school environment as representing both the endogenous constructivism model that reflects Piaget’s theory and the dialectical constructivism model that illustrates Vygotsky’s theory.  The school Bart attended modeled the variations of constructivism theory by the teacher serving as the learning coordinator, extensive focus on language, integration of the learning community, conducting experiments, and students constructing their own learning experiences.  I think the school Bart attended reflects how the theory of constructivism would be implemented in a school. 

Another learning environment depicted in The Simpson episode was the family environment.  I think O’Donnell would link this learning environment to the theory of dialectical constructivism.  Bart’s cognitive processes were modeled after his father, and thus Bart developed the skills and abilities based on the context of the family environment.  According to O’Donnell (2012), “developing children interact with the adults in their world and gradually appropriate or acquire the skills available in the community” (p. 63). 

Reference:

O'Donnell, A. M. (2012). Constructivism. In K. R. Harris, S. Graham, & T. Urdan (Eds.), APA

educational psychology handbook, Vol. 1: Theories, constructs, and critical issues (pp.

61-84). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.