What Is Constructivism in Education?

Education as a whole involves the use of many different learning theories. They work differently to meet learner's needs and effectively teach the material.

Constructivism is a learning theory that focuses on the way we naturally process information to learn. It involves building on existing knowledge to gain a better understanding.

What Is Constructivism?

Constructivism is a learning theory that suggests learners use their own experiences to build an understanding of the world. It is the idea that learning is an active process with hands-on activities, reflecting on what you know, and building new knowledge. Essentially, you play an active role in making your knowledge.

A Constructivist Classroom

In a constructivist classroom, rather than giving students things to memorize, teachers guide students to explore, ask questions, and work with others to understand. Constructivism can make learning not only more effective but more engaging by helping the educational content feel more relevant to real-life situations.

Where Did Constructivism Come From?

Jean Piaget was a psychologist who made the connection between constructivism and cognitive development among children. He observed that learning starts simply and knowledge is gradually built leading to the understanding of more complex ideas. He highlighted the fact that children learn effectively by building their understanding based on previous experiences and interacting with new knowledge.

Lev Vygotsky, another psychologist, added the social interaction focus to constructivism which makes learning experiences more collaborative. He noted that there is an important process in learning where other students help each other add to their existing knowledge and build their understanding.

What Are the Pillars of Constructivism?

The constructivist learning theory is supported by principles that encourage building on prior knowledge and making real-world connections.

Knowledge is Built

While learning with constructivism, students take prior knowledge and apply it to what they are currently learning. They add their own beliefs, insights, and ideas to make connections and build their understanding.

Social Learning Environment

The aspect of social interaction allows for different perspectives to be shared among peers. By collaborating with other students in a constructivist classroom, whether it's by having discussions or doing group activities, they can more effectively retain information.

Motivation Helps Learners

When learners are engaged in a lesson, they are more likely to feel motivated to learn. With constructivism, students can understand how what they are learning relates to real-life scenarios.

Active Learning

The constructivist approach promotes hands-on activities and inquiry-based learning. Students learn best when they are actively applying what they are learning. This can involve asking questions and participating in discussions.

Reflection

Constructivist teachers encourage students to frequently reflect on what they are learning. This helps them make the connection between what they previously knew and what they now know. This is an important part of constructivism because it measures how well students are comprehending the learning material.

How Does Constructivism Compare To Traditional Approaches to Education?

Constructivism differs from traditional approaches to education in the way learning is facilitated and assessed.

Learning Environment

In traditional education, the teacher delivers lessons to the learners through lectures or books. The students are expected to listen and memorize facts through repetition. The learning process is then assessed with standardized tests and exams. This method of educating leads students to feel detached from the concepts and unable to see how they relate to their lives.

This is where constructivist learning differs. It is more centered around the students with less structure and more collaboration than traditional education. The teacher acts as a facilitator rather than an authority figure. With constructivism, students are more likely to get involved in their learning and ask questions.

Assessing Learners

In traditional education, learners are assessed with standardized tests and exams. There is little room for students to express what they know in their terms and focus more on the student's ability to recall information.

In constructivism, students are given performance-based assessments throughout the lesson. This differs from traditional education and helps teachers effectively measure students' understanding. Constructivist assessments are ongoing throughout the lesson and let teachers and their students reflect on what they have learned and what they need to explore more.

Constructivist Methods in Teaching

In a constructivist classroom, teachers are seen as guides or facilitators who let students take the direction of their learning offering support when needed. They encourage a hands-on learning environment.

Project-Based Learning

Students work on projects continuously so that they can actively apply what they are learning and gain a deeper understanding by building on their knowledge throughout the lesson.

Collaboration

Collaboration is an important part of students playing an active role in their learning. Students are encouraged to collaborate and discuss topics with one another to share ideas and insights. By working together students build knowledge and challenge each other to see different perspectives.

Scaffolding

Teachers may start a lesson by offering support and structure. Once students gain more understanding, they step back and let them explore the topic and assist their direction when it's needed.

Why Does Constructivism Matter?

Constructivism is important to education and how effective it is. Often in a traditional classroom, students can't relate what they are learning to their lives. Without being able to see the relevance of what they are learning, students are unable to add their own previous experience and education to then build what they know. In a constructivist classroom, students develop problem-solving skills and are encouraged to ask questions and discover new knowledge.