"The road to knowledge is always under construction" : A life history journal to constructivist teaching

Abstract

This research explores the life journal of Pat Gray towards a constructivist approach to teaching. It looks at the influences, incidents, and insights that prompted him to make changes in his teaching, focuses on his growth and development of a constructivist approach, and explores the ways he has incorporated constructivist ideas and strategies into his teaching practices. The research adapts a life history approach in which narratives bases on semi-structures and unstructured interviews of Pat and other people who have been part of Pat's professional life are used to tell Pat's story. The research shows that, for Pat, change to a constructivist approach to teaching was developmental, occurred over time, and involved a paradigm shift. The research raises questions about teacher change and development that have implications for the way constructivist and transactional curricula are implemented.