For EME 2040

1. CONSTRUCTIVIST LEARNING THEORY
By Sarah N.

2. MENU
 What is it?
 Who made it?
 How is it used?
 My Classroom

3. CONSTRUCTIVISM: WHAT IS IT?
 A theory that emphasizes active learning, such as:
 Group activities.
 Constructing knowledge rather than acquiring it.
 Debates.
 Reflecting on
experiences.
 Socialization.
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4. WHAT IS IT? (CONTINUED)
 Constructivism posits general
concepts of individuality, such
as:
 Learners construct knowledge
based off of past experiences.
 Each learner has a unique
interpretation and construction
of knowledge processes.
 The learner is not a blank slate.
(tabula rasa)
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5. WHAT IS IT? (CONTINUED)
 For a student-made video to better understand
constructivism, click here.
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6. CONSTRUCTIVISM: WHO MADE IT?
 John Dewey
 Emphasized the significance of experience in education.
 Piaget
 Demonstrated that children’s minds were not empty, but
were constantly processing the material they were
presented.
 George Kelly
 Personal Construct Theory
 Stated that personal identity is defined by the way we
understand our person worlds.
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7. WHO MADE IT? (CONTINUED)
 Lev Vygotsky: the most significant theorists for
social constructivism
 Known for his theory of the “Zone of
Proximal Development.”
 Observed that children rarely did as well when
performing alone than they did when working
collaboratively with an adult.
 Believed that the development of language and
articulation of ideas was essential for learning
and development.
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8. CONSTRUCTIVISM: HOW IS IT USED?
Teachers:
 Instructors are meant to be
facilitators, not teachers.
 Facilitators provide an
environment for the learner
to construct his/her own
conclusions.
 Instructors make use of
group work.
 Instructors may utilize
Socratic methods for
student-oriented
discussions. Continue

9. HOW IS IT USED? (CONTINUED)
Teachers continued:
 Instructors might utilize the
internet to research current
events.
 Instructors could assign
collaborative research
projects and PowerPoint
presentations.
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10. HOW IS IT USED? (CONTINUED)
Students:
 Learners should be active in
classroom discussions.
 They could reflect on the material
with one another.
 They could relate the lesson to a
past experience.
 They could utilize the internet to
research connections between the
material and current events.
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11. CONSTRUCTIVISM: MY CLASSROOM
 Constructivism relates to my personal teaching
philosophies in that I view every student as an
individual.
 I believe that students should construct their own
knowledge, not rely on lectures.
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12. MY CLASSROOM (CONTINUED)
 I would assign hands-on activities to ensure that
students are actively learning.
 I believe that students should work together to
solve problems. This would aid them in thinking
critically.
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