Constructivism in Perspective
What is constructivism?
Constructivism is a learning theory which asserts that knowledge is actively constructed by learners based on their prior knowledge and experiences. Constructivist's believe that students learn in collaboration with their environment, culture, and other learners, and the instructor’s role is to guide and facilitate learning by providing opportunities for meaningful interaction with materials, ideas, and peers.
Key principles of constructivism:
Key principles of constructivism:
- Educators should recognize the knowledge and beliefs learners already possess
- Learning is an active and reflective process
- Learners come to understand concepts by assimilating, accommodating or rejecting new information
- Learners independently control and facilitate their own learning
- Social interaction improves learning by allowing individuals to share different perspectives so as to co-construct knowledge
- The learning process should be interactive and include a variety of tools, resources and contexts
- Learning should be authentic and based on the real world
Education and Constructivism
Constructivist and traditional classrooms differ in many ways, including the concept of knowledge, instructional techniques, learning tasks, and evaluation. Click here for a comparison chart outlining the differences between traditional and constructivist classrooms.
Additionally, Constructivist principles have many implications for lesson planning and in designing learning tasks. One useful and relative instructional model approaches such an endeavor by incorporating five phases of learning, which are to engage, explore, explain, elaborate and evaluate. For more information about this particular outline, click here.
For a deeper look at Constructivism and its relation to education, the following video provides a visual depiction of what meaningful learning is, questions teachers should ask about their students, and how educators can empower their students.
Constructivism In Action
To get a better understanding of some of the ways educators have integrated constructivism in their classrooms, take a look at the following videos.
Elementary School Social Studies
In this video, students in a fourth/fifth grade classroom are interviewed about their project strategies, progress and findings as they work in collaborative groups to conduct research and present their conclusions.
To get a better understanding of some of the ways educators have integrated constructivism in their classrooms, take a look at the following videos.
Elementary School Social Studies
In this video, students in a fourth/fifth grade classroom are interviewed about their project strategies, progress and findings as they work in collaborative groups to conduct research and present their conclusions.
High School Mathematics
To better teach about measurements and its value, this teacher had her students work in groups to actively investigate how to solve particular problems given to them.
References
Becker, A.K. (2011, February 3). Bruner- Constructivism in education [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ZXUJMNtZh_s
Bedley, T. (2008, October 5). Constructivist social studies lesson grades 4/5. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=p6pFMPSWBds
ChangeLearning. (2008, January 31). Building knowledge: constructivism in learning [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com /watch?feature=player_embedded&v=F00R3pOXzuk
Constructivism and Technology- On the Road to Student-Centered Learning. (1998). Tap Into Learning, 1(1), 1-8.
Thebercgroup. (2009, July 24). Powerful teaching and learning- high school math [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9GsN5uwLEww
Wink, J., & Putney, L. (2002). A Vision of Vygotsky. Boston: Allyn & Bacon, pp. 33 – 34. Table 1.1