Constructivism and

Technology in the
Classroom
Kayla Sisneros
EDF309
January 27, 2021
What is Constructivism?

• “Learning occurs when someone constructs both mechanisms for learning

and that person’s own unique version of the knowledge informed by the
background, experiences, and aptitudes (Roblyer, Hughes, 2019).”
• Students are using what they have learned in the past to link topics to one
another and create new ideas.
• Teachers using a constructivist learning theory will take note of what
knowledge students already have and try to build on it with material that
correlates or is an advancement of current discussion.
• This can be done with or without using technology, but implementation of
media, environment changes, and interactions between students will be
discussed.
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Implementing Technology
• Activities using interactive devices like a Promethean board or
ActiveExpressions are sophisticated tools that can help a teacher gather
information regarding her student’s prior knowledge.

• A constructivist mindset would see a group of students giving their

teacher what they already know and expecting to relate that material
to a new lesson.

• Using the two forms of technology above, students can type in a short
statement or select a choice between a few options given to them.
• This is a short poll taken by the teacher who is able to see what the
responses were.
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• The data collected could be useful to her when she is drafting the next
lesson based on what the responses were.

• Examples of responses could be “I agree with…” or “I do not know

of…”
Examples of Technology for Constructive Educators
• Promethean Board and interactive student
devices (ex. ActiveExpressions)
• Blackboard Discussion Board posts
• Blackboard Collaborative Classroom
• Zoom
• Google Docs

https://vimeo.com/398699845
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Benefits of Using Constructivism

• Teachers hear direct feedback from students. • Teachers are able to introduce
• Students are being instructed by a teacher who is students to places they would not
noticing more qualities about them, and using it to normally have the convenience of
benefit everyone. going to.
• The classroom as a whole is collaborating to find • Virtual learning incorporates
common ground on a particular subject, which
means everyone is on the same page content wise. constructivism due to the fact that
this theory is based on experience,
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWoW01iaN9Y which we can obtain from using
technology.

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Why is constructivism important in the world of education?
• Ideas for lessons can be created by the teacher, but with the students in mind. A teacher can observe their behaviors
and evaluate what methods of instruction best suit their needs.
• Education is all about the students and what will make them successful, so constructing ideas that came from them
builds on familiar ground.
• “This process of idea testing can be seen in the classrooms of teachers who value students' ideas and promote the
process of critical thinking. (Araje, Jones, 2002).”
• With prior knowledge of the students in mind, the critical thinking process can be easier, too.
• By having a firm foundation, the basis of learning a topic is already done. A teacher has connected what a student
already knows with something they do not.

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References

• Jones, M. G., & Brader-Araje, L. (2002). The Impact of Constructivism on Education:

Language, Discourse, and Meaning. American Communication Journal, 5(3).

• Roblyer, M. D., & Hughes, J. E. (2019). Integrating educational technology into teaching:
Transforming learning across disciplines. New York: Pearson Education.