Social constructivist theory has advanced the notion that distance education is inferior, because effective learning is thought to require immersion in a cognitive apprenticeship under the guidance of a mentor. Effective learning is said to be situated in activity, context, and culture as a collaboration in a community of practice. Administrators and practitioners in distance education are confronted with a challenge to the efficacy of their endeavors. The authors briefly trace the evolution of social constructivism, the influence of Piaget and Vygotsky, and analyze the effects of contemporary social constructivism with implications for instructional theory and practice.
TESOL CALL-IS on 04 Dec 12A nice review of the free online and DVD-based game to learn English. Trace Effects takes the student through adventures all around the U.S. using vocabulary to learn things about his new friends and achieve certain tasks that are typically American -- women's roles in society, saving the environment, community work, science and innovation, etc. The toolkit includes a massive number of teaching suggestions, teacher resources, games, a graphic novel, etc.