Constructivism in

Teaching
Introduction:
▶ The 21st century classroom is filled with a vibrant assortment of learners.

▶ Students come from different types of socio economic backgrounds, with

culturally experience, and learning styles.

▶ These dynamics create a challenge for teachers.

▶ Teaching most always be adjusted to the level of the pupils .So

constructivist way of teaching be promoted in the class room.

 Meaning of
constructivism:
Constructivism is a rather heterogeneous idea .We invents our own concept
and ideas, linked to what we already know. This meaning making theory of
learning is called constructivism, knowledge is constructed by learners
through an active, mental process of development; learners are the builders and
reactors of meaning and knowledge.

Definition:

According to Brader - Araje and Jones (2002), Constructivism can be

defined as “the idea that development of understanding requires the learner to
actively engage in meaning –making”.
Varieties of constructivism:
❖ Educational constructivism
❖ Philosophical constructivism
❖ Sociological constructivism

Constructivism in Teaching:
▶ Constructivism teaching is based on the belief that learning occurs as
learners are actively involved in a process of meaning and knowledge
construction. Learners are the makers of meaning and knowledge.
▶ Constructivism teaching fosters critical thinking and creates motivated
and independent learners.
 Piaget (1977) Explains

That, we accommodate the new information to our old

way of
thinking by restructuring our present knowledge to a higher level
of thinking.

Constructivist teaching depends upon the

learner’ s level of cognitive.

❖ Sensory motor stage 0-2 years

❖ Pre-operational stage 2-7 years

❖ Concrete operational stage 7-11 years

❖ Formal operational stage 12-15 years

 Activities in constructivist classroom:
❖ Experiments

❖ Research project

❖ Field trips

❖ Films

❖ Class Discussions

Role of Teachers: -

In the constructivist classroom the teacher role is to prompt and facilitate

discussion.

The teachers’ main focus should be on guiding students by asking

questions, it will lead them to develop their own conclusions on the subject
 The constructivist classroom

Three major roles for facilitators to support students in constructivist

learning environments are:
- Modeling
- Coaching
- Scaffolding
❖ A constructivist classroom environment provides opportunities for students to
question the material being presented and explore various topics as their interests.
❖ The goal is to produce a democratic classroom environment that provides
meaningful learning experiences for autonomous learners.
❖ In a constructivist classroom, by contrast the teacher and the student share
responsibility and decision making and demonstrate mutual respect.
 English Teaching the constructivist
way
❖ For every concept introduced there should be multiple
ways of

demonstrating the learning to the students

❖
The classroom environment should be democratic, providing each student an

opportunity to participate in the discussion.

❖
Aids like colorfully illustrated children’s dictionaries, student –Created serial

post cards, visual responses to poetry and an abundance of student work should be

encouraged and displayed throughout the classroom.

 Benefits of constructivism in
Teaching:
❖Children learn more and enjoy learning
❖Promote divergent thinking
❖Education works best when it concentrates on thinking and Understanding rather
than on rote memorization.
❖Boost the confidence of learners
❖Constructivism concentrates on how to think and Understand
❖Promote collaborative learning
❖Constructivism gives students ownership of what they learn, Since learning is based
on students.
❖Engaging the creative instincts develops student’s abilities to
Express knowledge through a variety of ways.
❖Constructivism promotes social and communication skills By creating
a classroom environment that emphasizes.
Characteristics of constructivist Teaching :

❖ According to Audrey Gray, the characteristics of a

Constructivist classroom are as follows:

❖ The learners are actively involved

❖ The environment is democratic

❖ The activities are interactive and student centered

❖The teacher facilitates a process of learning in which students are

encouraged to be responsible and autonomous

 Principles of constructivist
Teaching:

❖ Pose problems that are or will be relevant to the students.

❖ Structure learning around essential concepts.

Strategies:
❖The teacher has to work on the mind, on the feeling of the child we have to provide
opportunities to success the child.
❖ Child rearing practices are very important.

The teacher’s task is to train the pupil to perceive the

object accurately to the mind. we cannot neglect the imaging and
intuitive side of the child this is important for promoting creativity
in children.
 Implications of Education:

A constructivist teaching Sequence:

1. Elicitation of ideas
2. Orientation
3. Restructuring of ideas
4. Clarification and exchange
5. Exposure to conflict situations
6. Construction of new ideas

Evaluation
7. Application of ideas
8. Review change in ideas
 Research Suggest that constructivist teaching is an effective way to
teach. It encourages active and meaningful learning and Promotes
responsibility and autonomy.

Because constructivist teaching is beneficial in achieving desirable

educational goals for students. It is important for teachers to grow

professionally towards a constructivist Practice.

The teacher acts on the mind and conscience of the students in such a

manner that they are able to unfold their hidden Potentials including regard.
 Brighter side of
constructivism :
Constructivism concentrates learning how to think and understand.
Constructivist teacher develop skills and abilities to empower
students and to make them feel competent and significant. Constructivist
teaching also requires intelligence, creativity, patience, responsiveness and the
ability to live. Some of the tenets of constructivist in pedagogical team are:
Students come to the class with an established world view, for students to
change their world view requires work. Students learn from each other as well
as from the teacher. Students learn better by doing, allowing and creating
opportunities for all to promotes new ideas.
 Conclusion:

Constructivist teaching fosters critical

thinking and creates active and motivated learners a
constructivist approach free teachers to make decisions.
Constructivist teaching and learning is a beautiful
experience if done with the right attitude and

happy mind.