Constructivism Learning Theory in Education

Constructivism learning theory in education views learning as an active process where students dynamically tap into their knowledge reserves while participating in classroom learning. Constructivist learning benefits both the student and the educator by allowing teachers to build on their teaching methodology and students to brainstorm new and old ideas. Classrooms are integrating the constructivist approach to learning to boost students’ results and assist in a deeper understanding of concepts. Let us learn more about the constructivism learning theory in education.

What is the theory of constructivism in education?

Constructivism in education refers to a learning theory where learners play an active, competent and influential role in learning new information while associating it with the already existing information. It suggests that each learner formulates a different perception based on their knowledge, experience and interpretation. This knowledge is built through reflection and active construction in the human mind. Individuals learn to explore, question and discover knowledge instead of being passive observers.

For education, it is regarded that constructivism helps students construct new meanings and unique understandings by connecting the newly gained information with pre-existing knowledge. Instead of passively taking in information, students engage their mental facilities in building new meanings and their understanding of things, places and people. Teachers in boarding schools often depend on constructivist theory to teach their students and encourage them to learn. Constructivism activates various facilities of mind, including cognitive, creative and critical thinking in students. It has helped many residential schools shift from traditional and teacher-centric approaches to learning to student-centric and interactive learning methods.

Types of constructivism 

Three types of constructivism are based on the varying views of acquiring knowledge. Let us learn more about the types of constructivism learning theory in education.

1. Radical– This type of constructivism is of the view that knowledge is not something that gets handed over from teachers to students but is something that students create based on their experiences. Knowledge is deemed subjective, and every student constructs their knowledge based on their perception of information. It allows students to discover various perspectives as teachers following radical constructivism offer space and opportunities to allow students to create their knowledge. At the same time, teachers get to know students’ different perspectives and limits to assist the student’s learning process.

2. Social– This type of constructivism emphasises student interactions with peers and others to build their knowledge. It is a form of social learning where students observe and acquire knowledge from their culture, environment and individual relationships. Social interaction is a primary basis for gaining new knowledge.

3. Cognitive– This type of constructivism intercepts knowledge to be a by-product of a child’s present stage of cognitive development. Under cognitive constructivism, it is observed that students construct their knowledge by building on their experiences and understanding of the world and situations up to that point in their lives.

Stages of constructivism 

To allow students to learn effectively, the logical framework of learning must be adopted in schools. Let us learn more about the stage of constructivism learning theory in education.

1. Engagement stage– Here, teachers invite various perspectives and ideas by posing a question in the class or asking students to imagine a particular situation. In this stage, students are encouraged to explore their knowledge reserves and brainstorm to construct an opinion or idea using their knowledge.

2. Exploration stage– This is where students actively explore the various facets of the query or situation presented through interactions or discussions with peers and the teacher. The ideas and opinions of students formulated in the engagement stage are discussed here.

3. Proposition stage– Students engage in deeper discussions based on their initial ideas in the engagement stage and the information gathered during discussions in the exploration stage. Teachers play an active role in articulating and refining students’ thoughts if they get diverted from the right path. This stage is crucial as it depicts students’ understanding of the concept.

4. Explanation stage– It is also known as the elaboration stage, where students interact with their teachers to explain their understanding of the topic. Teachers can then clear any misunderstandings or misconceptions in an explanatory way, making it easier for students to grasp a new concept founded on their prior learning.
5. Evaluation stage– Teachers ask students to conclude the cognitive process by reviewing their initial thoughts on the topic and how they moved towards a newer understanding of the concept. Students examine their cognitive process and learn to apply it to other concepts.

Benefits of Constructivism Learning Theory

The advantages of constructivism for education are- 

1. Social growth– Constructivism boosts social interaction as students are encouraged to interact and build on their knowledge by raising questions and participating in discussions.

2. Brainstorming– Teachers put students in situations or ask questions requiring them to explore their knowledge reserves and supplement them with new information to brainstorm new ideas. It skillfully engages the cognitive and critical thinking skills of students.

3. Better results– Constructivist theory in education promotes active participation in the learning process instead of being passive or moot listeners in the classroom. It improves memorisation and retention of information, leading to better exam results and reducing exam stress.

4. Student-centric education– Constructivism helps tailor the educational curriculum to make lessons exciting and relatable to students instead of traditional lecture-based learning. Instead of presenting brand new and complex information in front of students, constructivism in learning helps to build upon students’ already existing knowledge.

5. Build tolerance– During the different stages of constructivism learning, where students discuss with their peers and teachers, it is necessary that students actively listen to all opinions. It acts as a team-building exercise where students learn to appreciate different opinions and observations instead of interrupting or negating them.

Use of constructivism in classrooms

Constructivist learning is a discovery-based learning that focuses on building new pillars of knowledge based on prior knowledge and experiences. Educators highly leveraged the use of constructivism in education. Let us learn about the use of constructivism in classrooms.

• Teachers need to establish an environment where all students are encouraged to participate and contribute to an active learning process.

• The role of teachers in constructivist classroom activities is only as a facilitator of learning. Teachers do not mediate the thoughts or opinions of students and allow them to discover their knowledge reserves.

• Technology and constructivist pedagogy also facilitate students’ cognitive learning process. Using technology in learning allows students to build on their pre-existing knowledge and develop lucid opinions. Educational videos in teaching allow teachers to establish constructivism by striking new ideas into the minds of students.

• Constructivist teaching methods are based on a teacher’s insight into the students’ knowledge to find a suitable teaching methodology to introduce new information to students.

• Constructivism in teaching is all about the teacher formulating new ways to teach based on the current knowledge level of the class. Every student in the class is essential; therefore, teachers ensure that the educational needs of students with varied primary learning styles are catered to.

• New information is treated as blocks of learning where students can connect and reconnect all blocks as they continue to make conceptual connections in life.

• By having active conversations, discussions and reasoning, students get a better hold over complex concepts, which helps in easy memorisation and higher retention.

Constructivism learning theory in education helps ease building upon existing knowledge. Constructivism in learning and teaching enables teachers to plan lessons efficiently and encourages students to learn more effectively.

SKV is a female boarding school in India that offers modern education interlinked with traditional learning methods to boost students’ knowledge above class VI.