What change does Constructivism suggest?
Investigations in Number, Data, and Space® probably provides less coverage of the SOLs because TERC is still figuring out how to put Constructivist theory into practice. Even without the desire to implement a new educational approach, writing textbooks for a K – 5 program would be a daunting task. However, TERC also tried to come up with a program that encourages children to learn math. So TERC had to devise games, group activities, manipulatives and so forth as well writing textbooks. In addition, there are tradeoffs to consider. How much time can be allowed and is needed for each game, group exercise, manipulative activity? How many ways should a child be taught to solve the same problem before moving on to another lesson? What is the right balance? There is also the problem of the teacher. The teacher requires a new skill set. According to the social constructivist approach, instructors have to adapt to the role of facilitators and not teachers (Bauersfeld, 1995). Where a teacher gi
