Interpretation construction (icon) design model

One major and popular instructional model based the constructivist approach is Interpretation Construction Model or ICON model which emphasizes on learners’ encounter with authentic issues in pair or groups, on constructing interpretation by the learners in groups, searching for information about the problems in groups and facing different interpretations about the problems in groups. In other words, it is group-based teaching-learning co-operative as well as collaborative approach which, as it is evident, lays emphasis and importance on the inclusive and all round socio-academic growth of the learners and also in way has drawn insights from the concept of Multiple Intelligences as propounded by the eminent cognitive scientist Gardner (1993). ICON Model, as Tsai, Chin-Chung. 2011 and other scholars in educational psychology argue, mainly rests on the principles such as observation in authentic activities (Understanding Zone), contextualizing prior knowledge and interpretation construction (Understanding Zone), cognitive conflict and apprenticeship (Understanding Zone), collaboration (Application Zone), multiple interpretations (Higher Order Thinking Skill zone), and multiple manifestations (Higher Order Thinking Skill zone).

1. Interpretation Construction
(ICON) Design Model
K.THIYAGU,
Assistant Professor,
Department of Education, Central University of Kerala

2. ICON model which emphasizes on
learners’ encounter with authentic issues
in pair or groups,
on constructing interpretation by the learners
in groups,
searching for information about the problems
in groups and
facing different interpretations about the problems
in groups
ICON Model
One major and popular instructional model based the constructivist
approach is Interpretation

3. ICON Model, as Tsai, Chin-Chung. 2011

•Understanding Zone: Observation in authentic
activities, Contextualizing Prior Knowledge and
interpretation construction, Cognitive conflict and
apprenticeship

•Application Zone: Collaboration

•High Order Thinking Skill Zone: Multiple
interpretations and Multiple Manifestations

4. Principles
of the
ICON
Model

5. Observations in authentic activities

Learners are made to observe the
elements and situation related to the
problem before proceeding
to evolve a solution.

6. Interpretation construction
Teachers need to create learning environments where students have
opportunities to construct their interpretations of new information.

7. Contextualizing Prior knowledge
Learners relate the observed situation and elements of the
problem to be solved to their previous ideas/
experiences/knowledge.

8. Cognitive Conflict
Many educators have stated that cognitive conflict,
which may be caused by discrepant or anomalous data,
is a necessary, although not sufficient, condition for
students to change their alternative conceptions.

9. Cognitive Apprenticeship
Learners are encouraged to exercise their minds though
different brainstorming activities by the teacher.

10. Collaboration
Learners discuss freely about their alternative
conceptions/misconceptions and are able to
communicate with their peers.

11. Multiple Interpretations
As learners have a lot of flexibility during the learning process,
they are able to interpret the knowledge in different ways and
different manner and form several possible interpretations of the
problem situation as well as problem solution.

12. Multiple Manifestations
The learners try to apply various interpretations one by
one for the problem solution and thus acquire multiple
solutions to the problem.

13. •Students must be dissatisfied with
existing conceptions
Condition 1
•New conception must be
intelligible
Condition 2
•New conception must be initially
plausible.
Condition 3
Condition 4
•New conception must be fruitful or
open to new areas of inquiry
Conceptual Change & ICON model

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