Learning Does Not Have to be Boring! All about Constructivist Learning

Constructivist Learning is an educational theory that emphasizes the active role of learners in constructing their own understanding and knowledge of the world through experiencing things and reflecting on those experiences.

This article is part of a series on the different types of learning, where we explore the major types of learning and then see how we can apply them in practice to the learning of our students, our children, and ourselves.

The idea is that learning is a dynamic process in which learners build on their previous knowledge and experiences, rather than simply passively receiving information.

The key principles of Constructivist Learning are:

• Active Learning: Learners are active participants in their own learning process. They engage in activities such as problem-solving, inquiry, and exploration.
• Prior Knowledge: Learning is connected to what learners already know. New information is integrated with existing cognitive structures.
• Social Interaction: Social interactions and collaboration with others are crucial for learning. Through discussion, debate, and collaboration, learners can share perspectives and build knowledge collectively.
• Contextual Learning: Learning occurs in context and is related to real-world situations. This helps learners understand the relevance and application of what they are learning.
• Reflection: Reflection is an essential part of the learning process. Learners need to think about what they have learned, how they have learned it, and how it applies to new situations.
• Scaffolding: Teachers provide support and guidance to help learners achieve tasks they might not be able to complete independently. This support is gradually removed as learners become more proficient.

Constructivist Learning is a very hands-on, active process that includes activities, collaborative projects, discussions, and solving real-world tasks. The goal is to create a learning experience that is engaging and meaningful, and therefore more learning takes place.

The Positives

Constructivist Learning is popular due to the many widely acknowledged benefits in various settings, which include:

• Enhanced Understanding and Retention: Learners actively engage with the material and connect new information to their existing knowledge, and they tend to develop a deeper understanding and better retention of concepts.
• Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills: Constructivist Learning encourages learners to think critically, ask questions, and solve problems, which are essential skills for academic success and real-life situations.
• Motivation and Engagement: Learners are often more motivated and engaged when they are active participants in their own learning process. This intrinsic motivation can lead to a more positive attitude towards learning.
• Personalized Learning: Constructivist approaches allow for more personalized learning experiences, as learners can explore topics of interest at their own pace and in ways that make sense to them.
• Collaboration and Social Skills: Constructivist Learning environments often involve group work and collaboration, helping learners develop important social skills such as communication and teamwork.
• Application of Knowledge: Because learning focuses on real-world contexts and practical applications, Constructivist Learning helps learners learn to apply their knowledge in various situations, making learning more relevant and meaningful.
• Autonomy and Independence: Learners develop a sense of autonomy and independence as they take responsibility for their own learning. The learner then learns how to self-direct learning and encourages establishing lifelong learning habits.
• Creativity and Innovation: The open-ended nature of Constructivist Learning encourages creativity and innovation because learners have the freedom to explore different solutions and approaches.
• Adaptability: Constructivist Learning helps learners become more adaptable and flexible in their thinking, as they are often required to adjust their understanding based on new information and perspectives.
• Development of Metacognitive Skills: Learners develop metacognitive skills by reflecting on their learning processes, understanding how they learn best, and becoming more aware of their cognitive strategies.

We can see then, that Constructivist Learning supports a holistic approach to education that prepares learners not only for academic success but also for the complexities and challenges of the real world.

Are There Any Downsides?

With so much going for it, are there any downsides to Constructivist Learning? Here are some agreed-upon potential downsides to Constructivist Learning:

• Time-Consuming: Constructivist Learning often requires more time for planning, implementation, and assessment. Developing and facilitating activities that promote deep understanding and critical thinking can be more time-consuming than traditional methods.
• Resource-Intensive: Implementing constructivist approaches can require more resources, such as materials for hands-on activities, technology for interactive learning, and smaller class sizes to facilitate meaningful interactions and support.
• Assessment Challenges: Traditional assessment methods, such as standardized tests, may not effectively measure the depth of understanding and skills developed through Constructivist Learning. Developing appropriate assessment tools that align with constructivist principles can be challenging.
• Teacher Training and Expertise: Effective constructivist teaching requires skilled educators who are well-versed in constructivist principles and able to facilitate active, student-centered learning. This can necessitate additional professional development and training.
• Inconsistent Implementation: The effectiveness of Constructivist Learning can vary depending on how well it is implemented. Inconsistent or poorly executed constructivist methods may lead to confusion and a lack of clear learning outcomes.
• Classroom Management: Classroom management when facilitating a Constructivist Learning environment can be challenging. Ensuring that all students are engaged and on task, particularly in collaborative and interactive activities, requires non-trivial effort.
• Equity and Accessibility: Not all students may have equal access to the resources and support needed for Constructivist Learning. This can create disparities in learning outcomes, particularly for students from disadvantaged backgrounds or those with special needs.
• Potential for Misconceptions: Since Constructivist Learning involves students constructing their own understanding, there is a risk that they may develop misconceptions or incomplete understandings if not guided properly by the teacher.
• Scalability: Implementing Constructivist Learning on larger scales, such as across entire school districts or educational systems, can be challenging due to the much-increased need for resources, training, and support.

Many educators believe that the benefits of Constructivist Learning outweigh the drawbacks. With careful planning and support, the negative aspects can be mitigated to a great degree.

Implementing Constructivist Learning as an Independent Leaner

When you are a lifelong learner and want to add Constructivist Learning to your repertoire, you can employ several strategies, such as:

• Build on Prior Knowledge: As you study, reflect on what you already know about the subject or similar subjects. Identify connections between new information and your existing knowledge to deepen your understanding.
• Engage in Active Learning: Instead of passively reading or listening to information, engage with the material actively. Take notes, ask questions, and summarize key points in your own words.
• Use Real-World Applications: Relate what you’re learning to real-world situations. Find practical applications for the concepts you study to make them more meaningful and relevant.
• Set Time Aside to Reflect: Make a conscious effort and take time to reflect on what you’ve learned – and how you’ve learned it. It’s a good idea to keep a learning journal to document your progress, challenges, and insights and change your learning habits.
• Seek Diverse Perspectives: Expose yourself to different viewpoints and sources of information. Read books, watch videos, listen to podcasts, and engage with online communities related to your topic of interest.
• Experiment and Explore: Don’t be afraid to experiment with new ideas and approaches. Try different methods and see what works best for you. Learning is a process of discovery.
• Learn with Others: Join study groups and online forums or social media communities where you can discuss ideas and share knowledge with others. One of the best ways to solidify your understanding is to teach someone else. Explain concepts to a friend, write blog posts, or create tutorial videos.
• Ask Questions: Develop a habit of asking questions. When you encounter new information, ask yourself how it relates to what you already know, why it is important, and how you can apply it.
• Stay Curious and Open-Minded: Maintain a curious mindset and be open to new ideas and perspectives. Lifelong learning is about continuously expanding your knowledge and skills.

These are just some of the strategies you can create for yourself to add Constructivist Learning to your learning!

Implementing Constructivist Learning as a Parent or Teacher

Implementing Constructivist Learning as a teacher or parent involves creating an environment that encourages active learning, critical thinking, and meaningful engagement with the material. Here are some strategies to help you incorporate constructivist principles into your teaching or parenting:

• Create a Learner-Centered Environment by encouraging exploration and providing choices.
• Assess prior knowledge: Begin by understanding what learners already know and connect new information to their existing knowledge base.
• Use Scaffolding: Provide support and gradually remove it as learners become more proficient, helping them build on their prior knowledge.
• Encourage Active Learning with hands-on activities and interactive lessons.
• Promote Social Interaction via group work, discussion and dialogue.
• Make learning contextual and relevant by relating lessons to real-world situations and practical applications.
• Implement project-based learning where learners work on projects that address real-world problems.
• Encourage critical thinking and inquiry. Use open-ended questions to stimulate thinking and encourage learners to explore different viewpoints. Encourage learners to ask questions, conduct research, and seek answers through inquiry-based activities.
• Encourage reflection by setting time aside to self-assess and document the learner’s learning journey.
• Use varied resources such as technology, books, videos, digital content, and hands-on experimentation.
• Encourage independence and facilitate autonomous learning by encouraging independence and giving guidance instead of direction.
• Customize teaching by adapting teaching methods and materials to meet the specific needs and style of the student. Provide personalized learning experiences that cater to the student’s strengths, interests, and needs.
• Encourage risk-taking and experimentation. Create a safe environment where learners feel comfortable taking risks and making mistakes.
• Be a role model who demonstrates a passion for learning and model curiosity and a love for knowledge. Show that learning is a lifelong process by continually seeking new knowledge and skills.

Teachers and parents can create a Constructivist Learning environment that encourages deep understanding, critical thinking, and a love for learning!