Constructivism Learning Theory

Constructivism is a powerful learning theory that emphasizes how individuals actively build their own understanding of the world through experience, reflection, and social interaction. Rather than passively absorbing information, learners construct meaning by connecting new ideas to what they already know.

Constructivism aligns beautifully with students interest in differentiated instruction and transfer of learning. This Theory is about tailoring education to the learner’s unique journey and helping them apply knowledge across contexts.

Constructivism: Open Learning Video

This instructional clip is about a teacher explaining how she was able to engage her students with constructive learning using different units of measurement. Her students were able to display all of their unique ways to find units of measurement gathering various items from around the classroom. She made a point that it was important for the students to come to an agreement on which units could actually be used for giving instructions. She allowed the students to constructively agree and explain why the final chosen unit of measurement was the best option.

Constructivism Reading Response

Constructivision Learning Theory Chart

Cooperative Learning Video

This video clip shows how the employees in the office worked together to figure out how to escape a real fire.

At first, employees were just being loud and running all over the place until the supervisor reminded everyone to recall steps from previous drills. Then, the employees were cooperatively figuring out how to communicate with each other to avoid the smoke and hot door handles. Even though there were people yelling, they still managed to piece random words together in order to exit the building without any injuries.

Kings of Constructivism

1) Reflecting on past experiences.

2) Teacher's are mediators of the classroom;

encourage student's to learn on their own.

3) Ask open ended questions w/ extensive dialogue.

4) Actively participate to maintain interest.

5) Use of KWL Chart: know, want to know, want to learn.

6) Prior knowledge & experience.

7) Hands on problem solving.

8) Elimination of grades & standardized testing.

9) Assessment becomes part of the learning process.

10) Students collaborate with each other.

Constructivism Concepts

Curriculum emphasizes big concepts, beginning with the whole and expanding to include the parts.

Pursuit of student questions and interests is valued.

Materials include primary sources of material and manipulative materials.

Learning is interactive, building on what the student already knows.

Teachers have a dialogue with students, helping students construct their own knowledge.

Teacher's role is interactive, rooted in negotiation.

Assessment includes student works, observations, and points of view, as well as tests. Process is as important as product.

Knowledge is seen as dynamic, ever changing with our experiences.

Students work primarily in groups.

11 Principles of Constructivism

1) Encourage student autonomy & initiative

2) Students response drives discussion.

3) Inquire about students understanding lesson concepts.

4) Encourage students to engage in dialogue.

5) Ask open ended questions.

6) Seek elaboration of student's response.

7) Allow wait time after posing questions.

8) Provide time for student's to create meaning &

construct metephores.

9) Nurture students natural curiosity.

10) Engage student's & experiences that encourage

discussion.

11) Manipulative physical material

What I've learned

How would you define Constructivism in your own words?

Constructive learning is when students are engaged in the subject by asking questions,

to explore and reflect in order to develop their own understanding of the lesson.

What would a truly Constructivist classroom look like?

A constructivist classroom would look like students up from their desk moving around and talking amongst each other. I would hear them engaging in conversations of how they will complete their assignment using their experiences.

How is Constructivism different than traditional teaching?

Constructive teaching differs from traditional teaching by allowing the students to talk instead of the teacher. Traditional teachers stand in front of the class to lecture.

Constructivist teachers facilitate the students collaborating to reach an agreement on how they want to learn the subject.

Which principle from the "Kings of Constructivism" do you think is most important and why? The most important principle from the "Kings of Construction" would be, prior knowledge and experience because students are able to learn from what another student may already know. Prior knowledge means experience can be used to share information that the teacher does not need to explain to uninterested students. Personal experiences allow students to stay engaged as they want to know more.