Big Dog, Little Dog: Five Years later: A Review of Kirschner, Sweller and Clark's Why Minimal Guidance during Instruction Does Not Work
Review of Kirschner, Sweller, and Clark's paper bashing constructivism, discovery, and problem-based learning, plus some context and research on the other side.
Thus Kirschner, Sweller and Clark's paper is an important reminder for us to not carry Problem Based Learning (PBL) to its extreme. That is, while it has its strengths, learners often need a more direct approach in order to build a solid foundations before being presented with PBL.
With the title blaring, “<em>Why Minimal Guidance during Instruction Does Not Work”</em> rather than, <em>“Why Minimal Guidance during Instruction Does Not Work for Novice Learners,” </em>the authors almost seem to ignore that PBL is a necessity in order to promote deeper levels of understanding.
The paper relies heavily on Cognitive Load Theory, yet we have to realize that it is still a theory rather than a law.
Thus, both the authors and the constructivism movement are guilty of jumping on theories before they are fully understood.