Constructivism
Definition
Constructivism is a philosophy of learning founded on the premise that, by reflecting on our experiences, we construct our own understanding of the world we live in. Each of us generates our own “rules” and “mental models,” which we use to make sense of our experiences. Learning, therefore, is simply the process of adjusting our mental models to accommodate new experiences.
Discussion
There are several guiding principles of constructivism:
- Learning is a search for meaning. Therefore, learning must start with the issues around which students are actively trying to construct meaning.
- Meaning requires understanding wholes as well as parts. And parts must be understood in the context of wholes. Therefore, the learning process focuses on primary concepts, not isolated facts.
- In order to teach well, we must understand the mental models that students use to perceive the world and the assumptions they make to support those models.
- The purpose of learning is for an individual to construct his or her own meaning, not just memorize the “right” answers and regurgitate someone else’s meaning. Since education is inherently interdisciplinary, the only valuable way to measure learning is to make the assessment part of the learning process, ensuring it provides students with information on the quality of their learning.
How Constructivism Impacts Learning
Curriculum–Constructivism calls for the elimination of a standardized curriculum. Instead, it promotes using curricula customized to the students’ prior knowledge. Also, it emphasizes hands-on problem solving.
Instruction–Under the theory of constructivism, educators focus on making connections between facts and fostering new understanding in students. Instructors tailor their teaching strategies to student responses and encourage students to analyze, interpret, and predict information. Teachers also rely heavily on open-ended questions and promote extensive dialogue among students.
Assessment–Constructivism calls for the elimination of grades and standardized testing. Instead, assessment becomes part of the learning process so that students play a larger role in judging their own progress.
Reading
Jacqueline and Martin Brooks, The Case for Constructivist Classrooms.
The content on this page was written by On Purpose Associates.
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I enjoyed this site and these comments. I think it is a simple to read site and very quickly gives good information. The posts are very interesting and I agree that constructivism is a useful tool. But as Paul Covey humorously stated, students just sometimes need to learn that what it is is the way it is no matter how they feel or can’t relate to it. Sometimes they just need to suck it up and realize the world doesn’t revolve around them. It is their job to fit into it, not the other way around. And Ndelle, the only ridiculous item is your spelling and your comment.
i agree with matt…thank you
really good information…
I feel that the quote “a child must be taught HOW to think, not what to think,” sums up most of these messages quite clearly. Why would anyone want to argue with that? Constructivism is that quote in action, regardless of how you happen to feel about.
I WAS VERY PLEASED STUMBLING ON THIS SITE . IT OFFERED ME REMARKEABLE ASSISTANCE IN REALIZING MY PROJECT.THANKS
The comment below is just rediculous! sounds like you have some personal issues to deal with, constructivism is not just about children relating what they learn to their life experience it is about them discovering what they can learn for themselves instead of force feeding them endless information that has no meaning!! Constructivism is also about teaching the child what is involved with a process e.g rather than the old fashioned way of shoving times tables down a child’s throat with rote repition- yes they can recite 8×7 but they do not really understand what 8×7 really is, how you get there! Constructivism is a positive step in education, providing stimulating classrooms for children to learn grow and develop!
Comment #1:
The origins of contructivism lie in the Socratic Method and Kantian analysis; both good, sound pillars of “conservative” thought. It is naive and foolish to think that constructivism posits that g = 9.8 m./s/s only in some cases. The issue lies in how this knowledge is acquired and refined and internalised. I remember as a high school student 50 years ago eagerly doing science experiments with my peers and LEARNING THROUGH DOING, TALKING, REFLECTING and BUILDING ON EARLIER EXPERIENCES. This is the essence of constructivism. The crime against learning occurs when this is presented as the ONLY model of learning. As a student or practitioner or musician we, of course, take to our learning skills and knowledge acquired during intense periods of quiet reverie. But this knowlege can only be effectively acquired through practice; thus, we have a cyclic learning process.
I assume that Obama, being a good parent, would be happy that his daughters be taught in a structured, planned, effective constructivist environment. The alternative being the uncritical rote learning that paralyses the learner and renders them incapable of applying their learning to novel situations.
This theory is fine if you subscribe to the idea that education is solely about learning. Unfortunately, this liberal mindset does not translate into the real world. In order to provide our students with what they need to progress in life, proof of their achievements in a concrete form, otherwise known as qualifications is required, and yes, this DOES lead to comparison with others and judgement – that’s life.
Very good information. Too bad it’s not implemented so much in education in many countries.
I have never seen more typos on an educational site in all my life – but what do you expect from those who spout the delusion of constructivism as something to celebrate?
In life there are absolutes and there is no bearing on how you FEEL in regards to those things.
The number three will always be the number three no matter how you feel about it! And your misspellings are WRONG even if it makes you sad that you are WRONG.
This country is full of meaningless PCisms and it’s from the likes of people like you – yes, you – who hold the blame.
It’s nice to relate a lesson to your life. But your life experience does not alter reality.
Sadly, too many Progressives (from the White House down) run things. But you know, I bet Barak Obama’s daughters aren’t learning Constructivism in school . . . you want to know why? Because even Obama can recognize truth – he’ll open the eyes of his children while blinding the country . . . .
I have always found constructivism to be a very helpful philosophy for my learning process. Anytime theres ever a deffinition or a concept to be learned I always draw my own mental picture of it. I VERY seldom write down the deffinition I am given. Instead, I write down my own deffinition that best represents my take on the concept or idea. Then when its time to recall that concept or deffinition, I have something that is relevant to me, something that I understand personally, wether from past experience or a mental picture. I can then, more often than not, find the “right answer” by comparing MY take on the concept to the choices offered or relating my mental picture to the subject at hand. I deffinitely think its better to LEARN it in my own terms and be able to retain it forever, rather than memorize someone elses terms or concepts and be able to recall them for a short period of time. Even if I missed just a little bit of the concept by putting it into my own perspective, I still feel that it is a success being that I WILL retain some of the concept as opposed to completely fogetting someone elses perspective. Because thats all educators give is their perspective. I mean who REALLY knows what the author of a poem meant except for that poet. Unless the poet gave a word for word analysis of the poem, nobody REALLY knows what he/she meant. We try and analyze the poem, but in escence, there is no ‘bad interpretation’ of the poem or poetry because thats what its meant to do, provoke thought; the beauty of poetry is interpretation, not someone being right or wrong.
I like this page it has alot of information about contructivism, i would like to see more about the different theories, like Jean Piaget and Vygotsky, and how models like these can be used or best practiced in teaching a class.
this is a really good page, it helped me to understand the whole concept of constructivsm.
Thanks to this site because it helps me a lot in doing my thesis proposal…
I loved this site. It helped me prepare for my comprehensive exam. Thanks for your help.
I love your page.. it is very comprehensive, this page helped me a lot in my report about the constructivism.. keep it up guys… thanks a lot….
Hi, I work in Oaxaca Mexico and I’m very interested in finding more about constructivism and english teaching in kindergarten, elementary and secondary grade levels. I’m also interested in the Significant Learning strategies for the teachers to apply in their classrooms. Please send me any information related about this issue.
Thank you and I love your site.
Thanks for the comment Remesh. Please go to the home page – http://www.Funderstanding.com and look for the post called ‘Poetry and Constructivism, and Better Learning.’ I hope this helps.
Hai
I like your page. I’m a teacher of English. I’m quite interested in constructivism. I want to know more about how it could be implemented in the poetry class.
If you have any article please forward the same to me
Remesh
remeshnk@yahoo.co.in