I want to thank the members of ITForum who responded to my request about constructivism. I'll distribute your replies to our class.
What prompted us (the class) to query some other views on constructivism was a piece co-authored by Bednar, Cunningham, Duffy, and Perry entitled "Theory into Practice: How do we link?" (see reference).
At any rate, they argue that constructivist theory reflects epistemology. They further contend that "it is inconceivable to mix epistemologies in an instructional program." also "theory and methods simply cannot be separated." To become a constructivist is to be born again.
Our class argues for the eclectic approach, where a designer uses the appropriate tool for the appropriate task. The eclectic approach is rejected in the referenced article.
This is our dilemma and once again thanks for your thoughts.
Bednar, A. K., Cunningham D., Duffy, T. M., Perry, D. J. (1992). Theory into practice: how do we link? In T.M. Duffy & D.H. Jonassen, (Eds.), Constructivism and the technology of instruction: A conversation (pp. 88-100). Englewood, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum and Associates.