The European Educational Researcher

Examination of Special Education with Constructivism: A Theoretical and Review Study

The European Educational Researcher, Volume 6, Issue 1, February 2023, pp. 1-20
OPEN ACCESS VIEWS: 2235 DOWNLOADS: 1008 Publication date: 15 Feb 2023
ABSTRACT
While we argue that difference and diversity are essential elements of the education process, we keep one area an utterly separate area: Special education. This area is left as a mysterious closed box with many undiscovered differences. While it is clear that there is behavioral pressure on special education, there are also opinions that claim the opposite. However, it is noteworthy that the views are not reflected in the implementation process. The fact that theory and practice are progressing in different lanes should attract the attention of educators. This study sought evidence for the idea that "a constructivist approach for special education offers a suitable learning environment." This study may be a step to stop defining everything we cannot discover as the other. The problem was discussed by blending it with pro and opposing views. Considering that the study contains a deep synthesis of thoughts, it will also trigger new deep discussions.
KEYWORDS
Special education, Constructivism, Learning theory, Social constructivism.
CITATION (APA)
ÖZER ŞANAL, S., & ERDEM, M. (2023). Examination of Special Education with Constructivism: A Theoretical and Review Study. The European Educational Researcher, 6(1), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.31757/euer.611
REFERENCES
  1. Akpan, J. P., & Beard, L. A. (2016). Using constructivist teaching strategies to enhance academic outcomes of students with special needs. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 4(2), 392-398.
  2. Algahtani, F. (2017). Teaching students with intellectual disabilities: Constructivism or behaviorism?. Educational Research and Reviews, 12(21), 1031-1035. https://doi.org/10.5897/ERR2017.3366
  3. Anderson, D. H., Marchant, M., & Somarriba, N. Y. (2010). Behaviorism works in special education. In Current Issues and Trends in Special Education: Identification, Assessment and Instruction. Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
  4. Apps, M., & Carter, M. (2006). When all is Said and Done, More is Said than Done: Research Examining Constructivist Instruction for Students with Special Needs. Australasian Journal of Special Education, 30(1), 21–38. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1030011200025501
  5. Benjamin, S. (2002). “Valuing diversity”: A cliché´ for the 21st century? International Journal of Inclusive Education 6, 309–323. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603110210145949
  6. Biesta, G.J.J. (2007). Education and the democratic person: Towards a political conception of democratic education. Teachers College Record, 109(3),740–69. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F016146810710900302
  7. Bricker, D. D., Felimban, H. S., Lin, F. Y., Stegenga, S. M., & Storie, S. O. M. (2022). A proposed framework for enhancing collaboration in early intervention/early childhood special education. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 41(4), 240-252. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F016146810710900302
  8. Brigham, F. J., Scruggs, T. E., & Mastropieri, M. A. (2011). Science education and students with learning disabilities. Learning Disabilities Research & Practice, 26(4), 223-232. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-5826.2011.00343.x
  9. Buysse, V., Sparkman, K. L., & Wesley, P. W. (2003). Communities of practice: Connecting what we know with what we do. Exceptional children, 69(3), 263-277. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F001440290306900301
  10. Cavendish, W., Morris, C. T., Chapman, L. A., Ocasio-Stoutenburg, L., & Kibler, K. (2020). Teacher perceptions of implementation practices to support secondary students in special education. Preventing School Failure: Alternative Education for Children and Youth, 64(1), 19-27. https://doi.org/10.1080/1045988X.2019.1628000
  11. Chiari, G., & Nuzzo, M. L. (1996). Personal construct theory within psychological constructivism: Precursor or avant-garde?
  12. Cifuentes, S. C., García, S. G., Andrés-Sebastiá, M. P., Camba, J. D., & Contero, M. (2016). Augmented reality experiences in therapeutic pedagogy: A study with special needs students. In 2016 IEEE 16th International Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies (ICALT) (pp. 431-435). IEEE.
  13. Cigman, R. (2007). A question of universality: Inclusive education and the principle of respect. Journal of Philosophy of Education 41(4),775–93. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9752.2007.00577.x
  14. Cihak, D. F., Moore, E. J., Wright, R. E., McMahon, D. D., Gibbons, M. M., & Smith, C. (2016). Evaluating augmented reality to complete a chain task for elementary students with autism. Journal of Special Education Technology, 31(2), 99-108. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0162643416651724
  15. Cobern, W. (1995). An alternative view for constructivism and non-western science education research. Science education: From theory to practice. Rehovot, Israel: The Weizmann Institution of Science, 395-403.
  16. Cook, B. G., & Schirmer, B. R. (2003). What is special about special education? Overview and analysis. The Journal of Special Education, 37(3), 200-205. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F00224669030370031001
  17. Cotter, J. A. (2011). Reading comprehension strategies in children with high-functioning autism: A social constructivist perspective. University of Alaska Fairbanks.
  18. Cronin, P., Ryan, F., & Coughlan, M. (2008). Undertaking a literature review: a step-by-step approach. British journal of nursing, 17(1), 38-43. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjon.2008.17.1.28059
  19. Crowther, D. T. (1997). The Constructivist Zone. Electronic Journal of Science Education, 2(2), n2.
  20. DuPaul, G. J., & Henningson, P. N. (1993). Peer tutoring effects on the classroom performance of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. School Psychology Review, 22(1), 134-143.
  21. Erdem, M. (2019). Yeniden Öğretmeyi Öğrenmek, Organizmadan Bireye Öğretim Süreçleri Tasarımı. Pegem Akademi.
  22. Florian, L. (2008). Inclusion: special or inclusive education: future trends. British Journal of Special Education, 35(4), 202-208. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8578.2008.00402.x
  23. Gash, H. (1992). Reducing prejudice: constructivist considerations for special education. European Journal of Special Needs Education, 7(2), 146-155. https://doi.org/10.1080/0885625920070205
  24. Gerrish, K., & Lacey, A. (2010). The research process in nursing. John Wiley & Sons.
  25. Gibbons, A. S., & Bunderson, C. V. (2005). Explore, explain, design. In K. Kempf-Leonard (Ed.), Encyclopedia of social measurement (pp. 927–938). Elsevier.
  26. Glasersfeld, E. V. (1998). Cognition, construction of knowledge, and teaching. In Constructivism in science education (pp. 11-30). Springer, Dordrecht.
  27. Greenwood, C. & Abbott, M. (2001). The research to practice gap in special education. Teacher Education and Special Education, 24, 276–289. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F088840640102400403
  28. Guazzaroni, G. (2019). Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Children: From users to creators of virtual reality learning content. In Virtual and Augmented Reality in Mental Health Treatment (pp. 176-198). IGI Global.
  29. Harris, K. R., & Graham, S. (1996). Constructivism and students with special needs: Issues in the Classroom. Learning Disabilities Research and Practice, 11(3), 134-37.
  30. Hemingway, P., & Brereton, N. (2009). What is a systematic review? (2nd ed.). Newmarket: Hayward Medical Communications.
  31. Heward, W. L. (2003). Ten faulty notions about teaching and learning that hinder the effectiveness of special education. The journal of special education, 36(4), 186-205. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F002246690303600401
  32. Hockenbury, J. C., Kauffman, J. M., & Hallahan, D. P. (2000). What is right about special education? Exceptionality, 8(1), 3-11. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327035EX0801_2
  33. Ingold, T. (2017). Anthropology and/as Education. Routledge.
  34. Jamero, J. L. F. (2019). Social constructivism and play of children with autism for inclusive early childhood. International Journal of Early Childhood Special Education, 11(2), 154-167. https://doi.org/10.20489/intjecse.670475
  35. Johnson, G. M. (2004). Constructivist Remediation: Correction in Context. International Journal of Special Education, 19(1), 72-88.
  36. Jonassen, D., Davidson, M., Collins, M., Campbell, J., & Haag, B. B. (1995). Constructivism and computer‐mediated communication in distance education. American journal of distance education, 9(2), 7-26. https://doi.org/10.1080/08923649509526885
  37. Kamii, C.K. & Declark, G. (1985). Young children reinvent arithmetic: Implications of Piaget' s theory. Teachers' College Press.
  38. Karaaslan, O., & Mahoney, G. (2013). Effectiveness of responsive teaching with children with Down syndrome. Mental Retardation, 51(6), 458-469. https://doi.org/10.1352/1934-9556-51.6.458
  39. Karagiorgi, Y., & Symeou, L. (2005). Translating constructivism into instructional design: Potential and limitations. Journal of Educational Technology & Society, 8(1), 17-27.
  40. Kiuppis, F. (2014). Why (not) associate the principle of inclusion with disability? tracing connections from the start of the ‘Salamanca process.’ International Journal of Inclusive Education 18, 746–761. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2013.826289
  41. Klingner, J. K., & Boardman, A. G. (2011). Addressing the “research gap” in special education through mixed methods. Learning Disability Quarterly, 34(3), 208-218. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0731948711417559
  42. Krause, A. (2021). Paradigm as a critical analysis tool in education/special education. International Journal of Special Education (IJSE), 36(1). https://doi.org/10.52291/ijse.2021.36.5
  43. Lämsä, J., Hämäläinen, R., Aro, M., Koskimaa, R., & Äyrämö, S. M. (2018). Games for enhancing basic reading and maths skills: A systematic review of educational game design in supporting learning by people with learning disabilities. British Journal of Educational Technology, 49(4), 596-607. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.12639
  44. Larison, K. D. (2022). On beyond constructivism. Science & Education, 31(1), 213-239. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11191-021-00237-8
  45. Mallory, B. L. & New, R. S. (1994). Social Constructivist Theory and Principles of Inclusion: Challenges for Early Childhood Special Education. The Journal of Special Education, 28(3), 322–337. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F002246699402800307
  46. Martin, D. J. (2012). Elementary science methods: A constructivist approach. Cengage Learning.
  47. Matthews, W. J. (2003). Constructivism in the classroom: Epistemology, history, and empirical evidence. Teacher Education Quarterly, 30(3), 51-64.
  48. Mayer, R. E. (1999). Designing instruction for constructivist learning. Instructional-design theories and models: A new paradigm of instructional theory, 2, 141-159.
  49. McConnell, M. E., Hilvitz, P. B., & Cox, C. J. (1998). Functional assessment: A systematic process for assessment and intervention in general and special education classrooms. Intervention in School and Clinic, 34(1), 10-20. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F105345129803400102
  50. McKinney, S. E., Campbell-Whately, G. D., & Kea, C. D. (2005). Managing student behavior in urban classrooms The role of teacher ABC assessments. The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas, 79(1), 16-20.
  51. Moreno, L., Gonzalez, C., Castilla, I., Gonzalez, E., & Sigut, J. (2007). Applying a constructivist and collaborative methodological approach in engineering education. Computers & Education, 49(3), 891-915. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2005.12.004
  52. Niemi, H. (2009). Why from teaching to learning?. European educational research journal, 8(1), 1-17.
  53. Özer Şanal, S. (2020). Fabl animasyon içerikli işbirlikli e-kitabın özel öğrenme güçlüğü olan öğrencilerin okuma performansına etkisi. (Yayımlanmamış doktora tezi). Hacettepe University, Institute of Education Sciences, Ankara.
  54. Penner, D. E. (2000). Chapter 1: cognition, computers, and synthetic science: building knowledge and meaning through modeling. Review of research in education, 25(1), 1-35. https://doi.org/10.3102%2F0091732X025001001
  55. Picciano, A. G. (2021). Theories and frameworks for online education: Seeking an integrated model. In A Guide to Administering Distance Learning (pp. 79-103). Brill. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004471382_005
  56. Reid, D. K., Kurkjian, C. & Carruthers, S. S. (1994). Special Education Teachers Interpret Constructivist Teaching. Remedial and Special Education, 15(5), 267–280. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F074193259401500502
  57. Reindal, S. M. (2021). Considering Diversity in (Special) Education: Disability, Being Someone and Existential Education. Studies in Philosophy and Education, 40(4), 365-380. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F074193259401500502
  58. Reindal, S.M. (2010) What is the purpose? Reflections on inclusion and special education from a capability perspective. European Journal of Special Needs Education, 25(1), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1080/08856250903450806
  59. Rogoff, B. (1994). Developing understanding of the idea of communities of learners. Mind, Culture, and Activity, I, 209-229.
  60. Sabornie, E. J., Kauffman, J. M., Ellis, E. S., Marshall, K. J., & Elksnin, L. K. (1988). Bi-Directional And Cross-Categrical Social Status Of Learning Disabled, Behaviorally Disordered, And Nonhandicapped Adolescents. The Journal of Special Education, 21(4), 39-56. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F002246698802100407
  61. Sajadi, S. S. (2015). A Tentative Model of the Link between Constructivist Learning Approach and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning, 10(5).
  62. Sajadi, S. S., & Khan, T. M. (2011). An evaluation of constructivism for learners with ADHD: Development of a constructivist pedagogy for special needs. In European, Mediterranean & Middle Eastern Conference on Information Systems (pp. 656-671).
  63. Sen, A. (1992). Inequality reexamined. Russell Sage Foundation
  64. Slee, R. (1997). Imported or important theory? Sociological interrogations of disablement and special education. British Journal of Sociology of Education, 18(3), 407-419. https://doi.org/10.1080/0142569970180306
  65. Snowman, J., McCown, R. & Biehler, R. (2009). Psychology applied to teaching (12th ed.). Houghton Mifflin.
  66. Steele, M. M. (2005). Teaching students with learning disabilities: Constructivism or behaviorism?. Current Issues in Education, 8.
  67. Terzi, L. (2005). Beyond the dilemma of diference: The capability approach to disability and special educational needs. Journal of Philosophy of Education, 39, 443–459. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9752.2005.00447.x
  68. Trent, S. C., Artiles, A. J., & Englert, C. S. (1998). Chapter 8: From deficit thinking to social constructivism: A review of theory, research, and practice in special education. Review of research in education, 23(1), 277-307. https://doi.org/10.3102%2F0091732X023001277
  69. Ültanir, E. (2012). An epistemological glance at the constructivist approach: Constructivist learning in Dewey, Piaget, and Montessori. International journal of instruction, 5(2).
  70. Viennet, R., & Pont, B. (2017). Education Policy Implementation: A Literature Review and Proposed Framework. OECD Education Working Papers, OECD Publishing.
  71. Walker, S., & Berthelsen, D. (2008). Children with autistic spectrum disorder in early childhood education programs: A social constructivist perspective on inclusion. International Journal of Early Childhood, 40(1), 33-51. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03168362
  72. Watts, M., Pope, M. (1989). Thinking about thinking, learning about learning: Constructivism in physics education. Physics Education, 24(6), 326-331.
LICENSE
Creative Commons License