Course Design and Implementation for Connectionist/Constructivist Models

Stephanie Lain, Ph.D., Adjunct Professor, Monterey Institute of International Studies

 

Even as the body of evidence supporting a connectionist/constructionist model of learning (especially social learning) has grown to proportions that render this view no longer controversial, methodology in the foreign language classroom lags behind. In part this is a legacy of the classical tradition of language learning and in part a reflection of the thorny design challenges inherent to a connectionist/constructivist approach. In this session, we review the main obstacles to designing for systems and consider guidelines for the successful creation of foreign language curricula that draw on the most up-to-date principles of literacy and learning.