What is constructivism as a learning theory?
Constructivism views learning as an active process where learners construct knowledge by building complex mental models of how the world works rather than passively receiving information.
Core principles of constructivist learning
Learning is active; knowledge is constructed from prior knowledge; the learner is central; learning is pervasive across contexts.
How does learning occur through activity and play in constructivism?
Through engagement, reflection, and observation learners explore cause-and-effect, notice their actions, and construct new ideas. Play is especially important for children but applies to adults too.
Who developed cognitive constructivism and what is its core idea?
Jean Piaget. Children actively construct knowledge by interacting with the world and revising understanding when experiences conflict with existing ideas.
What is a schema in Piaget’s theory?
A schema is a structured mental framework that organises knowledge. Learning involves modifying schemas through experience.
What is object permanence and how is it learned?
Object permanence is the understanding that objects continue to exist when out of sight. Children construct this concept through repeated experience.
What is conservation and why is it challenging for children?
Conservation is understanding that quantity remains the same despite transformations. It develops around ages 6–7 and must be discovered through exploration, not direct instruction.
What are the two central ideas shared by most constructivist theories?
Learners actively construct their own knowledge, and social interaction is important in the learning process.
What are the two main forms of constructivism?
Cognitive (psychological) constructivism and social constructivism.
What defines cognitive constructivism?
Focuses on individual meaning-making, logic, and the construction of universal knowledge, largely based on Piaget’s theory.
What defines social constructivism?
Learning is shaped by social interaction, cultural tools, and participation in meaningful activities within a cultural context.
Which theorist is most associated with social constructivism and why?
Lev Vygotsky. His theory bridges cognitive and social constructivism by showing how knowledge is socially mediated and individually constructed.
What is appropriation in Vygotsky’s theory?
The process by which learners internalise knowledge and skills developed through interaction with others or cultural tools.
How does constructivism change the role of the teacher?
The teacher shifts from ‘sage on the stage’ to facilitator, supporting learning through modelling, coaching, and scaffolding.
What characterises a constructivist classroom?
Student-centred learning, active inquiry, use of digital tools, and varying degrees of guided or self-directed discovery.
What is constructionism and who proposed it?
Seymour Papert proposed constructionism, arguing learning happens best when learners construct meaningful artifacts or solve meaningful problems.
How does constructionism differ from constructivism?
Constructivism is a learning model describing how knowledge is built; constructionism is a learning claim that learning is enhanced by making or creating things.
What learning approaches and technologies are inspired by constructionism?
Project-based learning, inquiry learning, discovery learning, and technologies such as LEGO and Scratch.
What is cognitive apprenticeship and where did it originate?
Originating from craft apprenticeship, it involves experts modelling tasks while learners gradually take on more complex problem-solving.
What is inquiry learning and its educational origin?
Originating in science education, students investigate questions using scientific processes to build understanding.
What is problem-based learning (PBL) and where did it start?
PBL began in medical education and involves students collaboratively solving authentic problems.
What evidence supports constructivist approaches?
Research by Furtak, Hmelo-Silver, and Barrows shows benefits such as deeper understanding, better practical skills, and improved explanation of concepts.
What are the main criticisms of constructivist approaches?
Kirschner, Mayer, and Klahr argue these approaches often lack sufficient guidance and overload working memory, especially for novices.
What is the balanced approach to instruction?
A combination of direct instruction and inquiry-based learning, providing foundational knowledge before supporting deeper exploration and transfer.
