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Social constructivism

Social constructivist theory of learning makes the claim that learners learn better from

learners or when their teachers scaffolds their learning process (de Beer & Gravette,
2015). He explained that learners come to class with some knowledge (spontaneous

concepts) while other forms of knowledge they gain in the classrooms (scientific

concepts) Vygotsky (1896-1934) cited in (de Beer & Gravette, 2015). This is the theory
which makes mention of ZPD (zone of proximal development) which is better understood

as zone in which new knowledge in the curriculum (scientific concepts) is connected with
the existing knowledge of the learners (spontaneous concepts).

To which of the theories will I relate my identity?

When introducing a new mathematical concept I realized using the behaviorist theory of

learning was easier simply, because that is where I am able to explain different terms to

the learners and also the different methods of solving something but when learners
already understand something for instance when solving trigonometric identities or even

some surd problems I realized that it was better for the learners to take use method that
they knew such as the k method then solve it by making use of trinomials. This type of

method is more social constructivist notion and for me those are the theories that I can

mostly relate with simply because I use them during my teaching experience.

2) a) One of the tenant that stands out when teaching algebraic expression is that

mathematics should make sense because whatever the learners learn about in
algebraic expressions they have to use make sure they understand how to

factorize because those same factorization skills they developed they will need
when they need to factorize surds using the k method or when factoring

trigonometric identities again using the k method even in calculus when they have

to find the turning points and where the graph cuts the x axis. It never stops so
understanding the method is a very important tenant and also the logical part.

Having logic as one of the tenants is important because a teacher understands

that there are many methods on solving the same sum.

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