TheConstructivistApproach

Noemi C. Bautista

What is CONSTRUCTIVISM?

Constructivism is a view of learning based on the belief that knowledge isn't a thing

that can be simply given by the teacher at the front of the room to students in their

desks. Rather, knowledge is constructed by learners through an active, mental process of development; learners are the builders and creators of meaning and knowledge.

In the classroom, the constructivist view of learning can point towards a number of different teaching practices. In the most general sense, it usually

means encouraging students to use active techniques (experiments, real-world problem

solving) to create more knowledge and then to reflect on and talk about what they are doing and how their understanding is changing. The teacher

makes sure she understands the students' preexisting conceptions, and guides the activity to

address them and then build on them.

Constructivism is a

learning theory

Constructivism is a learning theory

• Learning is an active process in which the learner uses sensory input and constructs meaning out of it.

• People learn to learn as they learn.

• The crucial action of constructing meaning is mental.

• Learning involves language.

Constructivism is a learning theory

• Learning is a social activity.

• Learning is contextual.

• One needs knowledge to learn.

• It takes time to learn.

• Motivation is a key component in learning.

Instructional Characteristics

Instructional Characteristics

• Teaching is not considered as merely transmitting knowledge and information such as facts, concepts and principles but rather as providing students with relevant experiences from which they can construct their own meaning.

• Constructivism is anchored on the assumption that “the absorption or assimilation of knowledge is somewhat personal and therefore no two learners can build up the same meaning out of one situation”.

Instructional Characteristics

• The teacher’s role is to facilitate learning by providing opportunities for a stimulating dialogue so that meanings could evolve and be constructed. She guides the students through skillful questioning and appropriate cognition processing.

• The instructional materials include learning activities and events rather than fixed documents (laws, principles) that almost always are learned unquestioned and simply recalled.

Instructional Characteristics

• Lessons are activity-centered in order for them to experience or gain personal knowledge through active involvement. Participation with understanding enables them to “live through” a learning episode.

Guidelines for Its Effective Use

Guidelines for Its Effective Use

• Teaching should have lessons where “hands on” experimentation, problem solving, logical reasoning, and authentic learning are emphasized.

Guidelines for Its Effective Use

• Teachers should generally behave in an interactive manner mediating the environment for students where student questions are highly valued.

Guidelines for Its Effective Use

• Teachers should seek the student’s point of view in order to understand student learning for use in subsequent lessons.

Examples of constructivist

activities

Examples of constructivist activities

• Experimentation: students individually perform an experiment and then come together as a class to discuss the results.

• Research projects: students research a topic and can present their findings to the class.

• Field trips. This allows students to put the concepts and ideas discussed in class in a real-world context. Field trips would often be followed by class discussions.

Examples of constructivist activities

• Films. These provide visual context and thus bring another sense into the learning experience.

• Class discussions. This technique is used in all of the methods described above. It is one of the most important distinctions of constructivist teaching methods.

References:

http://www.exploratorium.edu/ifi/resources/constructivistlearning.html

http://www.saskschoolboards.ca/old/ResearchAndDevelopment/ResearchReports/Instruction/97-07.htm#A Classroom Example of Constructivist Teaching

http://www.slideshare.net/ChristyFrye/constructivist-approach-to-teaching-and-learning

Corpuz, B., & Salandanan, G. (2007). Principles of Teaching I. Quezon City, Metro Manila: Lorimar Publishing Inc.

Noemi Bautista