Constructivist Learning Environments: Active Online Learning

Abstract

Today's students come to us from a wide range of ethnic, cultural, and economic backgrounds. While they vary in age, each one has a vast experience with the media. Generally, they are not passive learners and require active, engaging activities within their online courses. A constructivist learning environment (CLE) can spur the development of a dynamic learning community, supporting students as they share personal learning, acquire new knowledge, and develop additional understandings. The CLE blurs the traditional roles of teacher and student by creating a new, dynamic environment. This session explores the NLII Research and Analysis question regarding the new roles learners play individually and in interaction with each other. In addition, we discuss how technology enables learners to be effective in these new roles.