Constructivism
Constructivism is a theory of teaching and learning that draws on a range of teaching practices including inquiry-based learning, cooperative learning, and project-based approaches. Constructivism involves the process of questioning, exploring, and reflecting. This theory says that learners should construct their own understanding and knowledge of the world through varied experiences. By reflecting on these experiences, students assimilate useful information and create personal knowledge.
Complete Constructivism as a Paradigm for Teaching and Learning the free, online workshop from Educatonal Broadcasting Corporation.
Teaching Strategies
Many active teaching and learning techniques reflect the constructivist approach. These include problem-based learning, real-world simulations, case study approaches, and scientific experiments. Metacognition, or thinking about thinking is an important activity in the constructivist classroom. Students are encouraged to constantly raise questions and explore ideas.
Video Teaching and Learning (Real Media - 2:52).
In this video interview, Daniel Callison discusses gaps in teaching and learning as well as the importance of questioning and knowledge construction. He focuses on gaps of ability, gaps of students-teachers-media specialist, and gaps of opportunity for students to prove themselves.
Go to the Real website to download a free player.
Read Key Word: Constructivism in THE BLUE BOOK by Callison and Preddy, 334-339.
Key Words
Learn More
Constructing Knowledge in the Classroom from Southwest Educational Development Laboratory (SEDL)
Constructivism: The Theory and the Controversy from Digital Literacy
Constructivism from 2Learn. Provide quality resources and lots of links to quality resources
Constructivism from Funderstanding
Constructivism by M. Ryder from University of Colorado at Denver
Constructivism: From Philosophy to Practice by E. Murphy
Constructivism in the Classroom from Math Forum
Constructivist Learning Design by G.W. Gagnon, Jr. and M. Collay
Constructivist Teaching and Learning Models from North Central Regional Educational Laboratory
Constructivist Theory (J. Bruner).
The Instructional Use of Learning Objects (Online) edited by D. Wiley