CONSTRUCTIVIST LEARNING THEORY

By Sarah N.
MENU
 What is it?
 Who made it?

 How is it used?

 My Classroom
 CONSTRUCTIVISM: WHAT IS IT?
 A theory that emphasizes active learning, such as:
⚫ Group activities.
⚫ Constructing knowledge rather than acquiring it.
⚫ Debates.
⚫ Reflecting on
experiences.
⚫ Socialization.

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WHAT IS IT? (CONTINUED)
 Constructivism posits general
concepts of individuality, such
as:
⚫ Learners construct knowledge
based off of past experiences.
⚫ Each learner has a unique
interpretation and construction
of knowledge processes.
⚫ The learner is not a blank slate.
(tabula rasa)

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WHAT IS IT? (CONTINUED)
 For a student-made video to better understand
constructivism, click here.

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CONSTRUCTIVISM: WHO MADE IT?
 John Dewey
⚫ Emphasized the significance of experience in education.
 Piaget
⚫ Demonstrated that children’s minds were not empty, but
were constantly processing the material they were presented.
 George Kelly
⚫ Personal Construct Theory
⚫ Stated that personal identity is defined by the way we
understand our person worlds.

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 WHO MADE IT? (CONTINUED)
 Lev Vygotsky: the most significant theorists for
social constructivism
⚫ Known for his theory of the “Zone of
Proximal Development.”
⚫ Observed that children rarely did as well when
performing alone than they did when working
collaboratively with an adult.
⚫ Believed that the development of language and
articulation of ideas was essential for learning and
development.

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CONSTRUCTIVISM: HOW IS IT USED?
Teachers:
 Instructors are meant to be
facilitators, not teachers.
 Facilitators provide an
environment for the learner
to construct his/her own
conclusions.
 Instructors make use of
group work.
 Instructors may utilize
Socratic methods for
student-oriented
discussions. Continue
HOW IS IT USED? (CONTINUED)
Teachers continued:
 Instructors might utilize the
internet to research current
events.
 Instructors could assign
collaborative research
projects and PowerPoint
presentations.

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HOW IS IT USED? (CONTINUED)
Students:
 Learners should be active in
classroom discussions.
 They could reflect on the material
with one another.
 They could relate the lesson to a
past experience.
 They could utilize the internet to
research connections between the
material and current events.
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CONSTRUCTIVISM: MY CLASSROOM
 Constructivism relates to my personal teaching
philosophies in that I view every student as an
individual.
 I believe that students should construct their own
knowledge, not rely on lectures.

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MY CLASSROOM (CONTINUED)
 I would assign hands-on activities to ensure that
students are actively learning.
 I believe that students should work together to
solve problems. This would aid them in thinking
critically.

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