Jerome Bruner

Jerome Bruner

Believes children encounter a series of developmental stages as they mature.

Bruner 3 models of representation

1. Enactive representation (action based)

2. Iconic representation (image based)

3. Symbolic representation (language based)

Enactive

Learning by doing. Involves action based information and storing it in our memory (0-1 years)

Iconic

Learning can be obtained through models and pictures (1-6 years)

Symbolic

Where information is stored in the form of a code or symbol, such as language (7 years and older)

Bruner's Theory of Instruction

1. Predisposition to learn

2. Structure of knowledge

3. Modes of representation

4. Effective sequencing

Predisposition to Learning

Teachers and parent play active role in influencing desire to learn and maintaining student's sense of spontaneous exploration

Structure of Knowledge

A relative feature, as there are many ways to structure a body of knowledge and many preferences among teachers and learners

Three modes of Representation

1. Visual

2. Words

3. Symbols

Sequencing

Increasing difficulty in teaching

Categorization

Perception, conceptualization, learning, decision making, and making inferences

Language

Important for the increased ability to deal with abstract concepts

Constructivist Theory

Effective when faced with new material from enactive to iconic to symbolic representation

Complex ideas

Taught at a simplified level first, then re-visited at a more complex level later on

Role of a teacher

To facilitate the learning process