Constructivism is a learning theory that focuses on the learner constructing their own knowledge through active participation and hands-on experiences. Key aspects include students learning by doing, teachers using scaffolding to support learning, and students participating in the learning process. Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky contributed influential cognitive development theories related to constructivism, such as Piaget's stages of cognitive development and Vygotsky's zone of proximal development which emphasizes collaborative learning. Constructivism supports active, experiential, student-centered learning approaches that are well-suited for teaching subjects like math.

1. LEARNING THEORY:
CONSTRUCTIVISM
MADISON C.
JULYRIES P.

2. CONSTRUCTIVISM
• It puts the learner at the center of the education.
• Students learn by “doing”.
• Teachers use scaffolding, which is, questions, clues,
or suggestions that help a student link prior
knowledge to new knowledge.
• Students participate in learning process.
Students working
together is part
of constructivism.

3. JEAN PIAGET
• Developed the cognitive learning theory.
• Believed children are active learners and think
differently from adults.
• Defined four cognitive stages:
• Sensorimotor (birth to 2 years) – learning through senses and
motor actions.
• Preoperational (2 to 6/7 years) – begin to use symbols and
images.
• Concrete operational ( 6/7 to 11/12 years) – begin to think
logically.
• Formal operational (11/12 years through adulthood) –
transition from concrete thinking to more abstract.

4. LEV VYGOTSKY
• Developed social cognition
• Believed that learning was influenced significantly
by social development.
• Proposed the zone of proximal development, which
is the difference between the problem-solving
ability that a child has learned and the potential
that the child can achieve from collaboration with
a more advanced peer or expert.
• Theorized collaborative learning, a child will
understand better with an adult or more advanced
child than by himself.

5. OTHER KEY PEOPLE
• John Dewey
• Jerome Bruner
• Giambattista Vico
• Richard Rorty
John Dewey

6. WHAT THE TEACHER DOES
• Teachers use scaffolding
• Teachers use schemata, an organized way of
providing a cognitive framework for understanding
and remembering information.
• Teachers use anchored instruction, a model for
technology-based learning.
• Teachers should provide lessons that students can
practice “doing” or where they can work with
others.

7. WHAT THE STUDENT DOES
• Student must “do”
• Students actively participate in the learning process
by using critical-thinking skills to analyze a problem
• Students will create or construct (can use
technology)
• Students can use technology easily under this
theory

8. WILL WE USE THIS IN OUR TEACHING
Both of us are planning to be math teachers and this theory is
perfect for math. Students have to work out problems so they are
“doing” and understanding better. With the graphing
calculators, students can practice how to use them while doing
classwork or homework. They can also work with other students
which can fit into collaborative learning. While doing their math
problems they are using the Socratic method, discovered by
Bruner. So it is a clear answer that we both can use this theory
while we teach.

9. WORKS CITED
• Gunter, Glenda A., Randolph E. Gunter, and Gary B. Shelly.
Teachers Discovering Computers Integrating Technology in a
Connected World. Boston: Course Technology, Cengage
Learning. 2012. Book.
• Sadker, David Miller, and Karen R. Zittleman. Teachers,
Schools, & Society Brief Introduction to Education. The
McGraw-Hill Companies. 2012. Book.
• "Constructivism." Learning Theories. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov.
2012. <http://www.learning-
theories.com/constructivism.html>.
• "John Dewey." John Dewey. N.p., 19 July 1999. Web. 17 Nov.
2012. <http://dewey.pragmatism.org/>.
• "TI-84 Plus Silver Edition." By Texas Instruments. N.p., 25 Mar.
1986. Web. 17 Nov. 2012.
<http://education.ti.com/educationportal/sites/US/productDe
tail/us_ti84pse.html>.