EDCI335

My first encounters with school

Hi Marc,

Thank you for sharing such a personal and insightful reflection! Your experience with homeschooling and self-learning is fascinating, especially how it fostered your curiosity and passion for exploring on your own terms.
I was born and raised in South Korea, which also has one of the most stringent education systems, so I can relate to your struggles of feeling like you’re wasting time on tasks that don’t spark interest. I often think that the formal education system’s division into grades is more for simplicity and organization than a true reflection of individual progress. It’s clear from your story how this system can sometimes hinder genuine exploration and self-motivation.
I wonder how educational systems like the one your father implemented could affect children’s learning and development. Such a personalized approach could have a lasting impact, fostering more self-driven, independent learners in the long run.

Overall, this was an engaging read—thanks for sharing your perspective!

Chapter 11: What concept did you find difficult to understand? How did you approach learning the concept?

One concept I found difficult in Chapter 11 of Foundations of Learning and Instructional Design Technology was understanding the difference between cognitivism and constructivism. Both emphasize active learning, but they approach it differently. Cognitivism examines how we receive and store information in our minds, whereas constructivism emphasizes learning through personal experiences and knowledge construction in a social or contextual setting. At first, the similarities between these two made it difficult to identify how they differed or were employed in practice.

To figure things out, I started by reviewing the chapter’s definitions and important topics. I then prepared a simple comparison chart to highlight their differences. For example, cognitivism is concerned with strategies such as providing step-by-step instructions or structuring information to make it simpler to recall. Constructivism, on the other hand, emphasizes group projects or hands-on activities in which students learn by doing and reflecting on their experiences rather than passively receiving them.

Then I compared them to my personal experiences in Korea and Canada. In Korea, the educational system was strongly based on cognitivism. Lessons were structured, focused on memorization, and followed step-by-step instructions. For example, I recall depending heavily on flashcards, rote learning, and repetitive practice to study for tests. However, after moving to Canada, I experienced a shift towards constructivism. Group discussions, project-based learning, and opportunities to solve real-world problems were becoming more common. Instead of being taught what to learn, I was encouraged to explore and develop my own understanding of the content.

Personally, I find the constructivist approach is much more engaging and effective. I enjoy being able to apply concepts to my personal experiences and work with others to solve difficulties. It feels more like knowing the “why” behind things than memorizing them. Recognizing these contrasts allowed me to see how these theories applied to various teaching techniques. Now I not only comprehend the ideas better, but I also understand how constructivism has benefited my learning experience.

Resources

Ertmer, P. A., & Newby, T. (2018). Behaviorism, Cognitivism, Constructivism: Comparing Critical Features From an Instructional Design Perspective. Foundations of Learning and Instructional Design Technology: https://edtechbooks.org/lidtfoundations/behaviorism_cognitivism_constructivism