3. Key Concepts of Constructivism
• Learning is an active process
• Students will learn by doing
• Previous knowledge is built upon
• Links are formed between new and
existing knowledge
• Past experiences and Cultural
influences play a part in the
learning process
5. Constructivism Theorist: Jean Piaget
Cognitive Learning Theory
Children think differently than adults
Children are naturally active learners
Children do not need motivation from adults to learn
Children construct and store new knowledge while
moving through different cognitive stages.
Jean Piaget
August 9, 1896 – September 16, 1980
6. Constructivism Theorist: Lev Vygotsky
Social Cognition
Learning takes place with the context of a child’s social
development and culture
Children learn by interacting with each other and their
environment
Scaffolding
Important to discover the level of each child’s
development and construct learning plans from that
point.
Schemata
Organized way of developing an educational construct
for remembering and understanding information
Lev Vygotsky
November 17, 1896 – June 11, 1934
7. Zone of Proximal Development
Important part of
Social
Constructivism
Describes the
areas between
what a child can
do independently,
with assistance,
and potential
skills.
8. The Constructivist Teacher
Serves as a resource that
facilitates learning
Tailors the lessons to the
learning experience of the
child
Encourages exploration
The constructivist teacher facilitates
learners' interactions with hands-on and
self-directed learning activities
9. Constructivist Classroom vs. Traditional Classroom
Constructivist Classroom
Students work primarily in groups
to build knowledge
Curriculum focused on bigger
concept
Students encouraged to question
Students considered be thinkers
with own theories about the
world
Learning measured through
observation, student work, and
portfolios
Traditional Classroom
Typically student work alone
Curriculum focused on basic skills
Strict curriculum adherence
Students considered blank slates
Learning measured by testing
10. Constructivism
Pros
Students enjoy being a part
of the learning process
Higher level of thinking
Hands on activities
Students take ownership of
learning
Cons
Student not always willing
to discover new knowledge
Lack of teacher
responsibility
Conflict within groups
11. Why I Picked This Education
Philosophy
As I teacher I would definitely apply many of the
constructivist methods in the classroom. As I
have gone through my schooling I found that it
was much easier to learn a new skill by doing
rather than just being told. I feel that it connects
the learner with the actual skill by being able to
apply it. To be an educator that is able to
encourage kids to critically think and analyze
what they are working on resulting in a higher
level of knowledge is exciting to me.
12. References
• Constructivism: Roles of Teacher and Learner. (2012, March 14). Retrieved June 16,
2015, from
https://constructivismandexistentialism.wordpress.com/2012/03/14/constructivism-
roles-of-teacher-and-learner/
• Piaget's Theory on Constructivism. (n.d.). Retrieved June 16, 2015, from
http://www.teach-nology.com/currenttrends/constructivism/piaget/
• Samoberle. (n.d.). Retrieved June 16, 2015, from https://samoberle.wordpress.com
• Vygotskian Approach - Tools of the Mind. (n.d.). Retrieved June 16, 2015, from
http://www.toolsofthemind.org/philosophy/vygotskian-approach/
• Zone of Proximal Development and Scaffolding - Tools of the Mind. (n.d.). Retrieved
June 16, 2015, from http://www.toolsofthemind.org/philosophy/scaffolding/
