CSILE - A software learning tool supporting Constructivist Learning Theory

Many teachers are familiar with the three major theoretical schools of thought on learning: Behaviorism, Cognitivism, and Constructivism. Each of these theoretical schools have principal contributing theorists, contain embedded theories, and have subsequent goals of instruction and instructional models. These all have implications for instructional design.

In this blog, I focus on the CSILE (pronounced “see sill”) instructional model. First, however, some background.

The Constructivist Theory of Learning was introduced from Europe into the United States around the 1970s (Harasim, 2012, p. 60). This theory rejected the Behaviorist Theory “…that humans could be programmed like robots” (Harasim, 2012, p. 60), as that theory’s premise is widely viewed. Although like the Cognitivist Theory, in that it believes the mind plays a significant role between stimulus and response, the Constructivist Theory sees the mind as more than “…comparable to a software program…” (Harasim, 2012, p. 60).

Instead, “Constructivist theory posits that people construct [emphasis mine] their own understanding and knowledge of the world through experiencing the world, and reflecting on those experiences” (Harasim, 2012, p. 60). The theory is rooted in Jean Piaget’s four stages of cognitive development. However, it gives great weight to Lev Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development to include a large social aspect.

The CSILE model was developed in 1983 as a tool for the Constructivist Theory of learning. The acronym stands for “Computer-supported intentional learning environment. “CSILE software was designed to scaffold knowledge-building activities, using a communal database constructed by learners and their teachers” (Harasim, 2012, p. 75). The scaffolding part is a tribute to Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) concept. “According to ZPD, learning takes place when learners solve problems beyond their actual development level – but within their level of potential development – under adult guidance or in collaboration with more capable peers” (Harasim, 2012, p. 67). 

In the CSILE software, “Students would enter text and/or graphic notes into the database on any topic created by the teacher. All students in the project read one another’s notes and could contribute to or comment on them, using computers linked together on a local area network. Authors would be notified when comments were made” (Harasim, 2012, p. 75). As so described, I consider CSILE to be a type of Wiki. “A wiki is a collection of web pages designed to enable anyone with access to contribute or modify their content…They are often used to create collaborative websites…” (Harasim, 2012, p. 181).

“In 1983, CSILE was prototyped in a university course and in 1986 it was used for the first time in an elementary school…In 1995, the software was redesigned…and renamed Knowledge Forum…” (Harasim, 2012, p. 75).

To construct your own knowledge about CSILE/Knowledge Forum, here are a few links to more information. Choose for yourself where to start (or not) and how much you want to know – the essence of Constructivism. The YouTube link includes an example of the software in use embedded within it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knowledge_Forum is a classic WikipediA encyclopedia website. Here, the renamed Knowledge Forum software is described historically but also includes the software’s Specifications, Software Features, and Pedagogical approaches.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4okhQxhmIt4 As stated in the opening of the video, “This video covers the principles of Knowledge Building as identified by Marlene Scardamelia and Carl Bereiter in their research on metacognition.” (Scardamelia and Bereiter were the original developers of the software in 1983). This same video uses an example of the CSILE/Knowledge Forum software being used in the Jefferson County Public Schools in year 2000.

http://www.knowledgeforum.com/ is the software’s official website. Here you can “Check out the exciting new features in the Product section, “View an Introductory Tour,” and, of course, order the software.

http://ikit.org/fulltext/CSILE_KF.pdf is a link to Marlene Scardamelia’s 13 page article on “her” software. It was published in 2004 in Education and technology: an encyclopedia. It is an in-depth discussion of the concept and architecture behind the software from one of its authors.

Reference

Harasim, L. (2012). Learning theory and online technologies. New York, NY: Routledge.