What is Constructivist Learning Theory? ( TAE40116 / TAE40122 )

Summary

In this tutorial, Steve introduces Constructivist Learning Theory, explaining its core principles and how trainers can implement them. The theory emphasizes that knowledge is constructed through interaction with others, personal experiences, and cultural context. Constructivism highlights active learning, social connections, and the importance of adapting teaching to each learner’s prior knowledge. Trainers shift from a traditional model to one that encourages self-directed learning, critical thinking, and the building of intrinsic motivation. The approach fosters a learner-centered environment where knowledge is built through engagement and personalized experiences.

Takeaways

• 😀 Constructivist Learning Theory suggests that knowledge is built through interaction with others, one's environment, and personal experiences.
• 😀 According to constructivism, each learner interprets new information based on their existing knowledge, meaning everyone's learning is unique.
• 😀 There are three main variants of constructivism: Cognitive Constructivism (Jean Piaget), Social Constructivism (Lev Vygotsky), and Radical Constructivism (Ernest Von Glasersfeld).
• 😀 Learning is achieved through active engagement, where learners must participate in sensory activities to truly understand and retain information.
• 😀 Social connections with teachers, peers, and others are vital to the learner's journey and impact knowledge retention.
• 😀 Constructivist learning emphasizes that what people learn is intertwined with their existing beliefs and the context of their environment.
• 😀 Knowledge construction is personal, with each learner building their understanding based on individual development and experiences.
• 😀 Unlike traditional teaching, where all learners receive the same information, the constructivist approach adapts to each learner’s needs and existing knowledge.
• 😀 Trainers and teachers in constructivist environments act as guides or mentors, encouraging open discussions and promoting independent learning.
• 😀 The constructivist approach fosters intrinsic motivation, allowing learners to confidently construct their own knowledge and opinions.
• 😀 A career as a trainer in Vocational Education may be a great fit for those interested in adopting a student-centered approach to teaching.

Q & A

What is the basic premise of Constructivist Learning Theory?

Constructivist Learning Theory is based on the idea that knowledge is actively constructed by learners through interaction with their environment, previous knowledge, social connections, and personal experiences.

Who are some key psychologists associated with Cognitive Constructivism?

Jean Piaget and William Perry are notable psychologists associated with Cognitive Constructivism, which emphasizes how individuals develop knowledge based on their cognitive processes.

What is Social Constructivism and who introduced it?

Social Constructivism, introduced by Lev Vygotsky, emphasizes the role of social interactions, collaboration, and cultural context in the learning process.

What is Radical Constructivism and who developed it?

Radical Constructivism was developed by Ernest Von Glasersfeld and focuses on the idea that knowledge is actively constructed by the learner and that there is no objective reality in learning; each learner's understanding is unique.

How does constructivism view the uniqueness of individual knowledge?

Constructivism suggests that each learner builds their knowledge uniquely because they interpret new information through the lens of their existing knowledge, experiences, and cultural context.

Why is active engagement important in constructivist learning?

Active engagement is crucial because learners must participate in hands-on, sensory, and social activities to truly understand and internalize new knowledge rather than passively receiving information.

What role do social connections play in constructivist learning?

Social connections with teachers, peers, family, and others support learning by providing opportunities for discussion, collaboration, feedback, and reinforcement, which help learners construct and retain knowledge.

How does the role of a trainer differ in constructivist learning compared to traditional teaching?

In constructivist learning, trainers act as guides or mentors, adapting instruction to individual learners, encouraging questions, facilitating discussions, and helping learners make connections with prior knowledge, rather than just delivering information for memorization.

How does constructivist learning relate to memory and retention?

Constructivist learning emphasizes connecting new knowledge to existing beliefs and experiences, which helps learners encode information more meaningfully and retain it longer in their long-term memory.

What is the ultimate goal of a constructivist learning approach?

The goal is to foster intrinsic motivation and independent learning, allowing learners to confidently construct knowledge based on their own perceptions, opinions, beliefs, and prior experiences.

How can trainers encourage learners to 'learn how to learn'?

Trainers can encourage learners to 'learn how to learn' by helping them make connections between new content and their prior knowledge, facilitating reflection, and providing opportunities for problem-solving, discussion, and exploration.