Social contructionism is the idea that we as humans construct the reality we live in. Therefore magazines, money, passports etc would all be classed as items we have socially constructed. They would not have existed unless we made them and they could have been made different if we had wanted. But social constructionism doesnt just apply to objects. It also applies to our beliefs, for example marriage. The society and culture we live in have constructed the meaning behind it and what it includes and doesn't include. In educational terms the constructivism theories, such as Jean Piaget (1980), argues that students are already learning in everyday experiences and that teachers should enhance this. "For example, children learn to speak, learn the intuitive geometry needed to get around in space, and learn enough of logic and rhetoric's to get around parents--all this without being "taught." (Papert, 1980, p. 7). Constructivism suggests learning is built by the student and not given by the teacher. Constructionism takes this idea further looking into how this can occur through being engaged in something i.e. a social network. It is not to suggest that teachers instructing is bad, but just looks at other ways learning can occur.
In a social setting then constructionism places emphasis on the interaction with others. When we are born our expressions and learning how to speak is the first way we communicate. What constructionism does is argues that coming together with others in a constructive way can help in our development and in doing so that network or social setting will be enhanced by our engagement in it. But if these constructions (or networks) and relationships are the key to development, then what if there is limited or bad information in that network? What would the effects then be to us?"Networks are large social constructions" (The Networked Professional, 2010)
As we know our networks are ever changing and developing. It is an evolving construction that we have made. The way in which we interact in these networks will determine how beneficial they will be to us and how they turn out. If we engage fully we will be able to come to meanings about our professional practice. Through sharing ideas, blogging and keeping the BAPP network full of strong information, thoughts and ideas we will develop as professional practitioners. Through face-to-face meetings, social networking sites and generally being seen and heard to others in the business we will not only be able to expand our networks but our professional careers.
this is a really interesting and well informed piece. It is subtle but important difference that you note between constructivism and constructionism. I like the notion of constructionism in that it has a sense of social tactility, it develops our understanding of concepts and words through the values we hold true. I think this is really important in web 2.0 interactions, as the pace of social interaction occurs at a far faster rate that the centuries of previous development. Ideas are developing socially constructed meanings quickly, which spread rapidly and often flare out just as quickly.
ReplyDeleteI think the simplest example for me are those damned annoying LOLcats, cute shots of cats with strange phrases written under them such as 'I can haz cheezburger' (yeah, I don't get 'em either :-). In theory, they are simply cute pictures not too far removed from the 1970s one of the tennis playing chimp, but they have evolved in their community to represent something different.
They have provided a language to a wide variety of sarcastic, funny, cynical or simply critical comments about politics, history or the media. They are now developing their own social constructs outside of the internet appearing in newspapers and magazines.
Thanks for your comment Peter. Yes I never thought about the LOLcats- a great example of a developing social construction. They have taken those pictures and made their own meanings out of them. I am still researching these concepts further to understand them fully in order to relate and tie links to my professional practice.
ReplyDeleteHi Laura great blog, you said “What constructionism does is argues that coming together with others in a constructive way can help in our development”. Do you think it can hinder development, as a measure of conforming has to take place to reach a mutual agreement? Do you thinks Social Constructionism can inhibit growth as meanings are confined to a majority ruling? What if you disagree with the majority, are you less likely to thrive in the environment? Do you think meanings in society have been constructed so certain groups prosper more?
ReplyDeleteHi Nicholas. I dont think it can hinder development as conforming has to take place because I do not believe that everyone has to agree. I think the idea is more about sharing ideas and experiences and listening to differences and learning from them. Obviously if you really do not agree on something then that might not be the best group for you, however you may still learn or find out a different view on it that may change your mind. Now it could hinder development if people do not engage fully or some information out there may not be correct or true. In our BAPP network we do not all agree with eachother but I am learning from hearing different peoples opinions and views.
ReplyDeleteNow meanings in society I think are different. I think here that the majority do rule to make a meaning out of something. For example the idea of marriage is something the majority of society puts an emphasis on as the right thing to do. Could you give an example of a meaning in society where certain groups prosper more?
Thanks for the clarification on the difference between constructivism and constructionism. i think I had just lumped them in together.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree that I don't think it can hinder our development because coming in to contact with ideas that conflict with our own stretches us rather than forces us to conform. I think this is because although social constructionism takes place within a community of people it is still about the individual. It is about using and interacting with the community to construct meaning for yourself. Even with something like marriage the meaning that is given to it by the majority may affect the way you view it but you still construct your own understanding of it within the social context.
I hope that made sense. Also thanks for the comments on my video diaries. I totally think you should give it ago. It was really useful and actually quite fun to not have to write for a bit.
I think there are more factors than we have mentioned so far in this discussion. I think that we forget as adults that young children always copy and conform others in order not to stand out as being different, it's in their nature and, as we mentioned young children's learning, I think that they may not voice their own feelings even if they have them in their head and this in turn may stop others from stretching their points further or oppose them to reveal and expose them to a different view.
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