Constructivist Approach to Teaching

Kirsten Beukelman Kylene Dumiak

Amanda TatzIan Morris

Jessica Zwart

By: Phenomenal Philosophers

What Is Constructivism?

Constructivism's central idea is that human learning is constructedconstructed, that learners build new knowledge upon the foundation of previous learning.

Learners come to learning situations with knowledge gained from previous experience.

Learners gain new understanding based on prior knowledge (they are not a blank slate – tabula tabula rasarasa), that prior knowledge influences what new or modified knowledge they will construct from new learning experiences.

What Is Constructivism? (cont.)

Learning is active, not passive – it is not simply a transmission of information from one individual to another.

Learners apply current understandings, note relevant elements in new learning experiences, judge the consistency of prior and emerging knowledge, and based on that judgment, they can modify knowledge.

Learning occurs when knowledge is assimilated or accommodated.

Knowledge may be constructed best in a social context.

Advantages of Constructivism

Scientific Reasoning

CooperativeProblemSolving

MeaningfulTechnology

ActiveExploration

Hands-onCreativity

Deeper Understanding

of Concepts

Learning is built upon what learners

already know

More Advantages of Constructivism

Accommodates student interests. Promotes higher level thinking skills. Uses scaffolding provided by teacher or

group for individual problem solving. Promotes teamwork and cooperation

between students for a shared sense of success.

Students understand information, don’t just recite it back.

Flexible. Student excitement and interest.

Disadvantages of Constructivism

Time Consuming

Requires ExcellentClassroom

Management

Outcomes can beUnpredictable.

Lack of ProperTeacherTraining

Additional Disadvantages of Constructivism During initial stages students may

experience confusion or frustration. Difficult to grade/evaluate. Different students learning at different

paces-need to keep track of. Need to give up control of the

classroom – may be difficult to do.

In Conclusion

Just like any other teaching method there are both advantages and disadvantages to the constructivist method.

If used properly and effectively this method can be a wonderful asset to both the educators who use it and to the students who participate in the use of the instruction.