2. Key Points
Constructivism: a type of learning where the
learner constructs or builds most of what he
or she learns or comprehends.
Divided into four stages:
Sensorimotor
Preoperational
Concrete Operational
Formal Operational
3. Stages
Sensorimotor Preoperational
Ages: Birth- 2 years Ages: 2- 6/7 years
Characteristics of Learning: Characteristics of Learning:
Imitation, learn through Egocentric, pretend play,
senses and motor activities. drawing ability, speech and
Doesn’t yet understand the communication development
world around them, and very concrete thinking and
egocentric. intuitive reasoning.
4. Stages Cont.
Formal Operational
Concrete Operational
Ages: 6/7 - 11/12 years Ages: 11/12 years through
Characteristics of adulthood
Characteristics of Learning:
Learning: Classification,
logical reasoning, problem Comparative reasoning,
solving, and beginnings of abstract thinking, deductive
abstract thinking. logic, and test hypothesis.
5. Key People
Jean Piaget (1896-1980) – A psychologist who
developed the cognitive learning theory and defined the
four cognitive stages.
Jerome Bruner (1915 -) – A psychologist and educator
proposed that learning is an active process in which the
learner constructs new ideas or concepts based on his
current or past knowledge.
Lev Vygotsky (1896-1934) – An educational
psychologist who developed social cognition, he
believed that learning was influenced significantly by
social development.
John Dewey (1859-1952) – An educational
psychologist and philosopher, and political activist who
believed that learning should engage and expand the
experiences of the learners.
6. Classroom Implications (Teacher)
Constructivism requires teachers to
assign tasks that are “hands-on” for the
students because constructivists believe
that students learn better when they are
“active” learners. This theory is not as
dependent on the teachers as the main
origin of learning.
7. Classroom Implications (Student)
Students should actively participate in
the learning process by using critical-
thinking skills to analyze a problem,
they will create, or construct, their own
understanding of a topic or problem.
Constructivists believe that students are
main origin of their own knowledge, and
that by being “hands-on” the student will
learn much more efficiently.
8. Below is a list of different methods of learning…
Lecture = 5%
Reading = 10%
Audiovisual = 20%
Demonstration = 30%
Discussion Group = 50%
Practice by doing = 75%
Teach others / immediate use of learning = 90%
9. Teaching with the Constructivist
Learning Theory
Search out students' understanding and prior experiences
about a concept before teaching it to them.
Encourage student critical thinking and inquiry by asking
them thoughtful, open-ended questions, and encourage
them to ask questions to each other.
Make sure to wait long enough after posing a question so
that the students have time to think about their answers
and be able to respond thoughtfully.
Encourage communication between the teacher and the
students and also between the students.
When assigning tasks to the students, use cognitive
terminology such as "classify," "analyze," "predict," and
"create."
10. My own thoughts…
Constructivism is an effective
learning theory in my eyes, as
teachers can only do so much
when trying to teach their
students. For the students to
truly be able to learn the content
they need to actively participate
in the process. A true
understanding of the material
requires students to be deeply
involved in the learning
experience.
11. The End…
Credits to:
Shelly, Gary B. Teachers Discovering Computers: Integrating
Technology in a Connected world. Seventh Edition. 2012.
http://www.ndt-ed.org/TeachingResources/ClassroomTips/Constructivist%20_Learning.htm
