What is Constructivism?

PHILO-notes

1 Sept 202006:02

Summary

TLDRConstructivism is a learning theory that emphasizes individuals actively constructing knowledge based on their experiences. It highlights the importance of prior knowledge, active learning, social interaction, and contextual learning. Educators applying constructivism understand that students' unique backgrounds influence their learning process. Key principles include the idea that knowledge is constructed, learning is an active and social process, and motivation is essential for effective learning.

Takeaways

🏗️ Constructivism is based on the idea that knowledge is actively constructed by individuals through their experiences.
🌟 Reality is subjective and determined by one's personal experiences, making learning unique to each individual.
📚 Learners build upon their previous knowledge, using it as a foundation to assimilate new information.
👨‍🏫 Educators should appreciate that students bring their own unique experiences to the classroom, influencing their learning.
🧠 Knowledge is constructed, meaning students create their understanding by piecing together bits of information in their own way.
🔄 Learning involves constructing meaning within systems of meaning, where each new concept builds upon previous knowledge.
🏋️‍♂️ Learning is an active process requiring engagement and sensory input to construct meaning.
👥 Learning is a social activity, influenced by connections with teachers, family, peers, and acquaintances.
🌐 Learning is contextual, with knowledge connected to what we already know and believe.
👤 Knowledge is personal, as it is shaped by individual experiences and beliefs.
🤔 Learning exists in the mind, requiring mental engagement and not just physical activity.
🚀 Motivation is key to learning; without it, learners struggle to connect past experiences with new learning.

Q & A

What is the core idea of constructivism?
-Constructivism is based on the idea that people actively construct or make their own knowledge, and that reality is determined by one's experiences.
How does a learner's prior knowledge influence their learning process according to constructivism?
-Learners use their previous knowledge as a foundation and build on it with new things that they learn, making their learning unique to them.
Why is constructivism crucial for educators to understand?
-It influences the way all students learn, and educators who appreciate the constructivist approach understand that their students bring their own unique experiences to the classroom.
What is the first principle of constructivism mentioned in the script?
-The first principle is that knowledge is constructed, meaning knowledge is built upon other knowledge.
How does learning involve constructing meaning in systems of meaning?
-Learning involves constructing meaning as students take bits and pieces of information and put them together in their own unique way, building something different than what another student will build.
Why is learning considered an active process in constructivism?
-Learning is an active process because it involves sensory input to construct meaning, and learners need to engage in the world to be actively involved in their own learning and development.
How does social interaction play a role in learning according to constructivism?
-Learning is a social activity directly associated with our connections with other people, such as teachers, family, or peers.
What does it mean for learning to be contextual in constructivism?
-Learning is contextual as students don't learn isolated facts and theories separate from the rest of their lives; they learn in ways connected to things they already know.
Why is knowledge considered personal in constructivism?
-Knowledge is personal because it is based on one's own experiences and beliefs, leading to each person having their own prior knowledge and experiences to bring to the table.
How does motivation impact learning in the context of constructivism?
-Motivation is key to learning as students are unable to learn if they are unmotivated. Educators need to engage and motivate learners to activate their minds and help them become excited about education.
What is the role of hands-on experiences and physical actions in learning according to constructivism?
-Hands-on experiences and physical actions are necessary for learning, but they are not enough on their own; engaging the mind is also key to successful learning.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Constructivism in Learning

Constructivism is a learning theory that emphasizes the idea that individuals actively construct their own knowledge based on their experiences. It suggests that reality is subjective and determined by one's personal encounters. As learners, individuals use their prior knowledge to build upon new information, making each person's learning journey unique. Educators who understand constructivism recognize the diverse experiences that students bring to the classroom and use this theory to help students make connections with their existing knowledge. Constructivism involves several key principles: knowledge is actively constructed, learning involves meaning-making, it is an active and social process, contextual learning is important, knowledge is personal, and learning occurs in the mind. These principles guide educators to create engaging and interactive learning environments that cater to the individual needs and experiences of their students.

05:03

🧠 The Role of Engagement and Motivation in Constructivist Learning

This paragraph highlights the necessity of engaging the mind for successful learning in a constructivist framework. While physical actions and hands-on experiences are essential, they are not sufficient on their own. Mental engagement is crucial for retaining knowledge. The paragraph underscores that learning is not just about doing but also about thinking and reflecting. Educators are advised to create activities that stimulate the mind, as this is key to effective learning. Furthermore, motivation is identified as a critical factor for learning. Without motivation, students struggle to connect with their past experiences and apply them to new learning. Educators are encouraged to find ways to engage and motivate learners, fostering an excitement for education that drives students to actively participate in their learning process.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Constructivism

Constructivism is a learning theory that posits that learners actively construct their own knowledge based on their experiences. It emphasizes that reality is subjective and determined by one's personal experiences. In the video, constructivism is the central theme, with the idea that learners use their previous knowledge as a foundation to build upon with new information, making each person's learning journey unique.

💡Active Construction

Active construction refers to the idea that learners are not passive recipients of information but actively engage with it to build their understanding. The video explains that students take bits and pieces of knowledge and combine them in their own unique way, reflecting the constructivist belief that knowledge is actively built upon existing knowledge.

💡Experiences

Experiences are integral to constructivism as they shape an individual's learning process. The video mentions that each student's unique experiences are crucial in determining how they learn and understand new concepts. For instance, a student's prior knowledge of historical events can influence how they approach learning about chronology.

💡Learning Theories

Learning theories are frameworks that educators use to understand how students learn. The video highlights the importance of constructivism as a learning theory that impacts how teachers approach their instruction. Educators who appreciate constructivism recognize the diverse backgrounds and experiences that students bring to the classroom.

💡Contextual Learning

Contextual learning is the notion that new information is learned in relation to what is already known. The video script explains that learning is contextual, meaning students connect new facts and theories to their existing knowledge and beliefs. For example, learning the dates of historical events is not just about memorizing numbers but understanding their significance in context.

💡Social Activity

Social activity in learning refers to the idea that learning is enhanced through interaction with others. The video emphasizes that learning is not an isolated activity but is influenced by relationships with teachers, family, and peers. This concept is exemplified in the video by suggesting that educators facilitate peer involvement to enhance learning.

💡Motivation

Motivation is key to learning, as highlighted in the video. It suggests that without motivation, learners are less likely to engage with their past experiences to make connections for new learning. Educators are encouraged to find ways to stimulate and sustain student motivation to foster a deeper understanding and connection to the material.

💡Sensory Input

Sensory input is discussed in the video as a necessary component of the learning process. It implies that learners need to engage their senses to construct meaning. For instance, a student may need to see, hear, or physically interact with an object to fully understand and remember it, which underscores the active nature of learning.

💡Meaning Construction

Meaning construction is the process of creating understanding by connecting new information to existing knowledge. The video illustrates this by mentioning how a student learning the chronology of historical events is also constructing meaning about the concept of time and its relevance to their learning.

💡Background Knowledge

Background knowledge refers to the information and experiences that a learner already has, which can influence their interpretation and understanding of new material. The video script notes that teachers should understand their students' background knowledge to effectively apply constructivist learning theory in the classroom.

💡Peer Involvement

Peer involvement is the engagement of students with one another in the learning process. The video script suggests that educators who understand the importance of peer interaction are more likely to be successful. It implies that learning is not just a teacher-student dynamic but also involves collaboration and interaction among students.

Highlights

Constructivism is based on the idea that people actively construct their own knowledge.

Reality is determined by one's experiences.

Learners use their previous knowledge as a foundation and build on it with new things they learn.

Everyone's individual experiences make their learning unique.

Constructivism is crucial for educators to understand as it influences the way all students learn.

Teachers who appreciate constructivism understand that students bring their own unique experiences to the classroom.

Background and previous knowledge impact how students are able to learn.

Knowledge is constructed upon other knowledge, meaning students build their understanding in a unique way.

Learning involves constructing meaning in systems of meaning.

Learning is an active process that requires sensory input to construct meaning.

Learning is a social activity directly associated with our connections with other people.

Students don't learn isolated facts; they learn in ways connected to things they already know.

Knowledge becomes personal due to one's own experiences and beliefs.

Hands-on experiences and physical actions are necessary for learning, but engaging the mind is key.

Motivation is key to learning; students need to be engaged and excited about education.

Educators need to understand learning theories and how they impact their teaching and their students.

New or aspiring educators should get the necessary education and credentials, as well as understand learning theories.

There are many specific elements and principles of constructivism that shape the way the theory works and applies to students.