Constructivism is a teaching theory where students actively construct their own understanding and knowledge through experiences and reflecting on those experiences. Under this theory, students learn best when they engage with lessons by completing interactive activities and projects rather than passive lecturing. Key theorists who developed constructivism believed learning is built on prior knowledge and occurs through social and cultural experiences. In a constructivist classroom, the teacher creates interactive lessons that allow students to solve real-world problems in order to fully understand course content.

1. Constructivism
A teaching theory
A. Harkins

2. Key Points of
Constructivism
The learner forms, or constructs, much of what he or she
learn or comprehend.
This learning or comprehension is brought forth by the
student actively engaging in an activity. When students have
the ability to actively engage in the lesson, comprehension
increases.
This theory counters the traditional lecture style of
education.

3. Theorists of
Constructivism
Jean Piaget – created theory based on the observation that
children were active learners and did not need motivation to learn.
Jerome Bruner – believed the learned built knew knowledge based
on what one already knew. There is active engagement in
learning. Teachers should encourage students to discover things
on their own.
Lev Vygotsky – Believed learning took pace within a child’s social
development and culture. Teachers should construct learning
experiences off of the child’s social and cultural upbringing.
John Dewey – Believed learning should engage and expand the
experiences of children. Teachers should create lessons so both
conctrete and practical lessons are learned by the students.

4. The Teacher
Under the constructivism theory, the teacher
must:
 Create projects
 Provide real life problems
 Plan interactive lessons
.

5. The Students
When the constructivist theory is correctly
applied in the classroom the student will be able
to:
 Actively engage in lessons
 Solve real life problems using critical thinking
 Learn key points of a lesson through
completing a project

6. Technology
Using a Smart board allows students to actively work out
a problem while working with the teacher and the use of
this technology encourages students to be more engaged
in the lesson.
Clickers used in the classroom allow for students to
answer questions which are placed directly in a
classroom poll so result are easy to read.
Computers allow students to research and complete
projects to increase comprehension of a subject.

7. Overview
Interactive teacher is essential in an
educational environment. The highest
quality of education occurs when the
teachers and students interact and the
students are actively engages.

8. “I hear and I forget.
I see and I remember.
I do and I understand.
- Confucius