John R. Cannon, Professor Emeritus

                  The Learning Cycle rests on Constructivism as its theoretical foundation. 

"Constructivism is a dynamic and interactive model of how humans learn" (Bybee, 1997, p. 176). 

     A Constructivist Perspective assumes students must be actively involved in their learning and concepts are not transmitted from teacher to student but constructed by the student. In the early 1960's, Robert Karplus and his colleagues proposed and used an instructional model based on the work of Piaget. This model would eventually be called the Learning Cycle. (Atkin & Karplus, 1962). 

     Numerous studies have shown that the Learning Cycle, as a model of instruction, is far superior to transmission models in which students are passive receivers of knowledge from their teacher (Bybee, 1997).  As an instructional model, the Learning Cycle provides the active learning experiences recommended by the Next Generation Science Standards [NGSS] (http://www.nextgenscience.org).

     The 5E Learning Cycle used in lesson planning was developed by Biological Sciences Curriculum Study, specifically for use in teaching science follows five steps:

    * Engage, in which a student's interest is captured and the topic is established.

      * Explore, in which the student is allowed to construct knowledge in the topic through facilitated questioning and observation.

        * Explain, in which students are asked to explain what they have discovered, and the instructor leads a discussion of the topic to refine the students' understanding.

         * Elaborate, in which students are asked to apply what they have learned in different but similar situations, and the instructor guides the students toward the next discussion topic.

            * Evaluate; in which the instructor observes each student's knowledge and understanding, and leads students to assess whether what they have learned is true.  Evaluation should take place throughout the cycle, not within its own set phase.

Benjamin Franklin said "All mankind is divided into three classes: those that are immovable, those that are movable, and those that move."

                                         The Learning Cycle allows all children to become movers.

     Dr. Edmund Marek, author of `The Learning Cycle` was asked "Why use the Learning cycle?" He quickly commented "Because it works!"

For more information on professional development experiences...

John R. Cannon, Professor Emeritus

University of Nevada, Reno

Rancho Mirage, CA

[email protected]

775-303-0821 

For more information on professional development experiences...

John R. Cannon, Professor Emeritus

University of Nevada, Reno

Rancho Mirage, CA

[email protected]

775-303-0821