Constructivism is a theory of learning that explains how people might acquire knowledge and learn. It involves people constructing their own understanding and knowledge through experiences and reflecting on those experiences. Key figures in constructivism include Piaget, who described cognitive development in children through stages of learning; Bruner, who viewed learning as an active process of constructing new ideas; and Vygotsky, who emphasized social learning and the zone of proximal development. Constructivism encourages active learning, questioning, reflection, group work, and building on prior knowledge and experiences in the classroom.

1. Constructivism
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2. CONSTRUCTIVISM
 How people learn?
 People construct their own understanding and
knowledge of the world, through experiencing things
and reflecting on those experiences.

3. CONSTRUCTIVISM
IMPORTANT FIGURES
 1. Jean Piaget
 Developed cognitive learning theory
 Children-Active learners (Didn’t need motivation from
adults)
 4 cognitive stages
 1. Sensoritmotor= Learning through sensor & motor actions
 2. Preoperational= through symbols & images
 3. Cognitive Operational= Think logically, understand other
view points
 4.Formal Operational= Abstract thinking, formulate own
beliefs

4. CONSTRUCTIVISM
IMPORTANT FIGURES
 Jerome Bruner
 Learning is active process where new
ideas or concepts are constructed on
current or past knowledge
 Method: Many different activities (i.e. painting, songs,
electronic flash cards)
 Socratic Method – Discussion, thinking critically of own
and others views and articulate and defend position.
 LEARNING IS DISCOVERY

5. CONSTRUCTIVISM
IMPORTANT FIGURES
 Lev Vygotsky
 Social Cognition
 Learning by social development
 Zone of Proximal Development
 Difference between problem solving ability and potential from the
help of a teacher
• Collaborative Learning
 situation in which two or more people learn or attempt to learn
something together
 Scaffolding- Discover child’s cognitive/social development and
construct learning experiences on it
 Anchored Instruction- Connect to information already held by
student

6. CONSTRUCTIVISM
IMPORTANT FIGURES
 John Dewey
• Father of American Education
• Learning should engage and experiences of learners
• Actively inquire
 Progressive Education Movement
 Educate whole child, physically, mentally, and socially
 Pragmatism- theory is only valuable for practical use
 Education is a social process
 1896- Began University Elementary School, or
Laboratory School ( AKA the Dewey School)

7. Classroom Implications
TEACHERS
• Facilitate learning
• Encourage Students To Ask Questions
• Encourage Reflection
• Active Participation
• Variety Of Learning Methods
• Propose Contrary Beliefs

8. Classroom Implications
STUDENTS
 Building On Previous Knowledge
 Work In Groups
 Ask Questions
 Thinking
 Reflecting
 Establishing Views

9. Final Thoughts
 I believe constructivism can be a very useful and successful
learning theory. It aims at developing what I believe are vital
attributes in our students, learning through critical thinking,
reflecting by experience, and a continual thirst for
knowledge. Though constructivism may be at the heart of my
teaching philosophy, it could prove to be fairly difficult to
employ. Critics say constructivism dismisses a teacher’s role
because it strays away from the traditional regurgitation of
facts into an atmosphere of inquiring. I imagine if employed,
the teacher must have a strong sense of authority
accompanied by a sense of comfort from the students to
create an controlled open world of discussion. All in all, it’s a
method definitely worth considering.

10. Credits
 Images
ecavey.files.wordpress.c#30DF8B
group3007fall10.wikispac#30DD8B
www.instructionaldesign.#30DB20
faculty.mercer.edu/.webloc
 Other Sources
www.thirteen.org/.webloc
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Co#30DB14