Learning from the knowledge builders: Student perspectives on the challenges of classroom Knowledge Building communities

How do students make sense of the change process from more traditional learning environments to a Knowledge Building Community classroom (Scardamalia & Bereiter, 2006)? What challenges do they identify in their own participation and the development of the collective as a knowledge building community? This research followeda team of middle school students and teachers over the course of two years. Student interviews focused on the community’s knowledge work in Knowledge Forum and their development as knowledge builders. Students identified structures that both supported and challenged student socialization into knowledge building communities.The research also examines how students’ experiences can inform design researchers and teachers about enacting knowledge building classrooms.