The Role of New Educational Technology in Teaching and Learning: A Constructivist Perspective on Digital Learning

Abstract

Constructivism as a perspective on teaching draws upon research into the nature of learning to inform pedagogy. From a constructivist viewpoint educational technologies are potential tools for enacting curriculum through particular peda- gogic approaches. New technologies therefore add to the teacher’s toolbox offering alternative ways to bring about learning within an established strategy. Digital tech- nologies offer considerable new possibilities for the teacher, but should always be used as part of principled pedagogy rather than seen as ends in their own right. This chapter considers key features of constructivist thinking about learning, and offers some illustrative examples of situations where digital technologies have particular potential to support school teachers adopting a constructivist perspective to inform their classroom work.