Constructivism is a theory of learning that suggests individuals learn best through active participation and constructing new ideas based on previous knowledge. The major theorists associated with constructivism are Jean Piaget, Jerome Bruner, Lev Vygotsky, and John Dewey. Piaget observed that children are active learners who develop cognitively through stages from birth to adulthood. Vygotsky believed social learning influences development and proposed the Zone of Proximal Development. For teachers, constructivism implies actively engaging students in lessons through a variety of methods like experiments and games.

1. Constructivism
Learning By Doing
Dana & Jessica – Group 5

2. What is Constructivism?
The constructivist theory suggests that
individuals learn best by actively participating.

3. Theorists
There are four major theorists associated
with Constructivism:
1) Jean Piaget
2) Jerome Bruner
3) Lev Vygotsky
4) John Dewey

4. Jean Piaget
After observing children for many years, Jean
Piaget created the cognitive learning theory.
Piaget perceived children as “active learners,”
without needing any motivation from adults.

5. Jean Piaget’s Cognitive Stages
Cognitive Stage Age
(Approximate)
Characteristics of learning
Sensorimotor Birth to 2 years Imitation, learn through senses and motor
activities, do not understand world around them,
and egocentric
Preoperational 2 to 6/7 years Egocentric, pretend play, drawing ability, speech
and communication development, concrete
thinking, and intuitive reasoning
Concrete
Operational
6/7 years to 11/12
years
Classification, logical reasoning, problem
solving, and beginnings of abstract thinking
Formal
Operational
11/12 years
through adulthood
Comparative reasoning, abstract thinking,
deductive logic, and test hypothesis

6. Jerome Bruner
Jerome Bruner “proposed that learning is an
active process in which the learner constructs
new ideas or concepts based on his current or
past knowledge.” (pg. 378)

7. Lev Vygotsky
Lev Vygotsky developed social cognition, the
belief that learning is influenced largely by social
development.
Vygotsky also 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.” (pg. 380)

8. John Dewey
John Dewey was a part of the progressive
movement. This movement “focused on
education the whole child, physically, and not
just the dispensation of the facts and
information.”
John Dewey was also a pragmatic. He believed
the validity of a theory was determined by its
practical application.

9. Classroom Implications
What does this mean for teachers?
Teachers should understand the importance and
validity of the constructivist theories. Educators
should constantly seeks ways to actively engage
their students in what they are learning.

10. Classroom Implications
What does this mean for students?
Students should expect a variety of learning
methods. If they do not understand something
while being explained, they can expect an
activity to further their understanding. Games,
science experiments, and cooking (for
measurements) are all ways for student to use
what they have learned.

11. What does this mean for me?
As a future educator, one of the most important
things to me personally, is to make certain that I
never get lazy in my work. Creating and
discovering activities, games, and projects for
students to practice what they learn can take
some additional time. However, I cannot image
anything more important or rewarding than
going the extra mile to inspire a mind. Active
learning is a must in the classroom.

12. Citations
• Teachers Discovering Computers: Integrating
Technology and Digital Media in the Classroom
6th Edition. Gary B. Shelly, Glenda A. Gunter,
and Randolph E. Gunter, 2010 Course
Technology, Cengage Learning
• Image 1: www.cartoonstock.com
• Image 2: www.world-citizenship.org
• Image 3: www.educationalupdate.com
• Image 4: www.silenceandvoice.com