What is constructivist learning and how it should be applied in the classroom
I would describe constructivist learning as a process that allows learners to actively engage in the learning of new concepts through hands on activities, class discussions, awareness programs etc which enables them to construct their own understanding and knowledge through experience and reflection. Rather, than passively receiving information from the educator. (Concepts to classrooms, 2004). In a constructivist classroom knowledge is constructed through an active and metal process by the learners; learners build and create their own meanings and knowledge”. Constructivist learning occurs when learners are given opportunities to engage with the subject content
…show more content…
We will then have a clear picture of what is expected of educators in doing this. When considering the word learner-centred, we can break it down further, such as learner and centred. The word learner is taken from the word learn. Learn may refers to acquisition or gaining knowledge of skill by being taught, by studying or by experience, according to the Oxford dictionary. The word learner in this case refers to someone that is a receiver of the knowledge that is conveyed. Centred may refer to something that is central or a main point. Learner-centred actually means learning that is fixated or concentrated on the learner. Approach, according to the Cambridge English dictionary refers to a way of considering or doing something. The learner-centred approach, is a teaching strategy whereby learners are not inactive receivers of knowledge any longer; rather they are “active contributors in education and co-constructors of information” (Meece, 2003, pp.111). Learners are basically encouraged to learn through learner-centred teaching, there’s also a form of development in the learners’ capabilities to gain suitable problem solving methods (Weimer, 2002). Learner-centred approach signifies the formation of a setting created to encourage a learners learning through the use of their intellectual processing, behavioural adaptation and social engagement. Learner-centred education includes the way in which the mind operates. Some of the features
My most basic, fundamental belief in education has always been that every student is capable of learning. The learning may not take place on my desired timeline, but each child has the capacity to learn. I have always considered myself to be child-centered, rather that teacher-centered, in the classroom. I hold that most learning is accomplished when new information can be integrated into previous knowledge, and I also find that a balanced approach to any learning includes the repetition of information and a varied approach in delivery.
Stage, Frances K. et al. "Creating Learning Centered Classrooms: What Does Learning Theory Have to Say?" ERIC Digest, 1998. ED422777.
I being a teaching assistant needs to recognise the child or young adult is at the centre of the learning by treating everyone as an individual learner.
If you are a parent or plan to be a parent, Do you want your child to sit in a desk all day while the teacher lectures them on information that they need to know for life or would you rather have your child learn constructively? Constructivism has been labeled as the philosophy of learning that proposes learners need to build their own understanding of new ideas (Constructivism and the Five E?s,2001). Learning something new, or attempting to understand something familiar in greater depth, is not a linear process. The purpose of this research paper is to explain the theoretical foundations of the constructivist approach to teaching and learning, and to provide concrete examples to show the effectiveness of the constructivist approach with respect to student learning.
McCombs, B., & Miller, L. (2007). Learner-centered classroom practices and assessments: Maximizing student motivation, learning, and achievement. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
Empiricists and rationalists have proposed opposing theories of the acquisition of knowledge, which appear unable to coexist. Each theory holds its own strengths but does not demonstrate a strong argument in itself to the questions, “Is knowledge truly possible?” and “How is true knowledge obtained?”. Immanual Kant successfully merged the two philosophies and provided a convincing argument with his theory of empirical relativism, or what some may call constructivism. His theory bridges the gap between rationalism and empiricism and proves that empiricists and rationalists each present a piece of the full puzzle. In order to truly understand Kant’s epistemology, one must first review and understand both empiricism and rationalism on an impartial basis.
Freire states (2000), without dialogue there is no commitment, and without communication there can be no true education (p. 92). Constructivist teaching is based on the belief that learning occurs as learners are actively involved in a process of meaning and knowledge construction as opposed to passively receiving information. Learners are the makers of meaning and knowledge. Without that dialogue learning is meaningless you are just filling an empty vessel. True learning is an open dialogue of debating back in forth about the topic and that creates a deeper
John Dewey once said, “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” You may ask why John Dewey should be given merit for anything he says. In truth, John Dewey was one of the biggest supporters of constructivism in classroom. On a basic level, constructivism is described as learning by doing. This concept, while not necessarily new, is considered progressive. Today, we will explore the history and details of this concept, analyze how constructivism effects the modern classroom, and wrap it up with some concluding remarks.
In order to achieve success in the student centered classroom, the student must first understand their
Constructivism theorists believe that learning is an ongoing collective application of knowledge where past knowledge and hands on experience meet. This theory also believes that students are naturally curious. If students are naturally curious, their curio...
Constructivist theory and independent learning. The constructivistic learning approach involves educators building school curriculum around the experience of their students. Constructivists believe learner-centric instructional classroom methods will strengthen the commitment and involvement of self-motivated learners because of their high level of interaction. Today, there is a trend for incorporating technology into the classrooms to support instructional learning methods. Yet, recent studies have revealed technology is not effectively integrated with the concepts of constructivism
The theory I find myself agreeing with the most is the constructivist approach because it is a balance between teacher and student. As a future teacher, I feel it important to have some say in the running of my classroom but I also want the students to feel it is also their classroom. The constructivist approach allows the teacher and students to work as a team but under the direction of the teacher. The teacher provides direction in how the classroom environment should be established, what content will be covered, and conflict resolution. The students are still given options to choose from in each of these category so they feel in control of the learning experience and environment.
Constructivism is a method that says students learn by building their schema by adding to their prior knowledge by the use of scaffolding (Rhinehart Neas). Because the students are basically teaching themselves new information, the teacher is there mainly for support and guidance for the students.
Among many teaching styles and learning theories, there is one that is becoming more popular, the constructivist theory. The constructivist theory focuses on the way a person learns, a constructivist believes that the person will learn better when he/she is actively engaged. The person acts or views objects and events in their environment, in the process, this person then understands and learns from the object or events(P. Johnson, 2004). When we encounter a certain experience in our life, we think back to other things that have occurred in our life and use that to tackle this experience. In a lot of cases, we are creators of our own knowledge. In a classroom, the constructivist theory encourages more hands-on assignments or real-world situations, such as, experiments in science and math real-world problem solving. A constructivist teacher constantly checks up on the student, asking them to reflect what they are learning from this activity. The teacher should be keeping track on how they approached similar situations and help them build on that. The students can actually learning how to learn in a well-planned classroom. Many people look at this learning style as a spiral, the student is constantly learning from each new experience and their ideas become more complex and develop stronger abilities to integrate this information(P. Johnson, 2004). An example of a constructivist classroom would be, the student is in science class and everyone is asking questions, although the teacher knows the answer, instead of just giving it to them, she attempts to get the students to think through their knowledge and try to come up with a logical answer. A problem with this method of learning is that people believe that it is excusing the role of...
...g experience is child-centred. “Constructivist classrooms are structured so that learners are immersed in experiences within which they may engage in meaning-making inquiry, action, imagination, invention, interaction, hypothesizing and personal reflection.” (Gray, A) The constructivist approach is one that more teachers need to adopt in their classroom, it is incredibly beneficial. The approach will not only improve the child’s learning but also the teachers learning of their students.