Constructivism is a learning theory that suggests learners actively construct knowledge through experiences. Important contributors include Piaget, Vygotsky, Dewey, and Bruner. According to constructivism, learning involves actively making associations between new information and prior knowledge. As a learning theory, constructivism emphasizes hands-on, active learning where students apply past experiences to solve problems and learn new skills.

1. Team 3

2. What is Constructivism?
Learning Theory Important Contributors to
 Learning is active and Constructivism:
constructive  Piaget
 Learner builds on  Vygotsky
previous knowledge
 Dewey
 People are actively
 Vico
making associations in
order to be objective in  Rorty
learning.  Bruner
 New learning is
compared to prior
knowledge
Information found at: http://www.learning-theories.com/constructivism.html

3. Jean Piaget

 Born in Switzerland
 Believed children
thought differently than
adults and constructed
knew knowledge while
moving through different
cognitive stages.
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/docroot/dulcinea/fd_images/
 Studied his children features/profiles/p/jean-piaget/features/0/image.jpg

4. Jean Piaget
 Jean Piaget defined himself as a

'genetic'
epistemologist, interested in
the process of the qualitative
development of knowledge.
 he intended to explain
knowledge development as a
process of equilibration using
two main concepts in his
theory, assimilation and
accommodation, as belonging
not only to biological
interactions but also to
cognitive ones.
http://www.sciencephoto.com/image/227740/530wm/H4160274-Jean_Piaget-SPL.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Piaget

5. Genie Kelleher
 Sensorimotor- This stage consists of
learning through motor and sensory
activities through imitation for ages
birth to 2 years old.
 Preoperational- The next stage
consists of learning through
drawing, role playing, and
communication for children two to
seven years old.
(Information found in book pg.377)

6. Cognitive Stages

 Concrete Operational- As children continue to
grow they begin problem solving, logical
reasoning and start abstract thinking through
classification for ages six to twelve.
 Formal Operational- At this stage children learn
by abstract thinking, experimenting
hypothesis with comparative reasoning for
ages eleven to adulthood.

7. Lev Vygotsky
 Russian educational
psychologist
 Developer of social cognition
 Believed that social
interactions play a key role in
child development
 Vocalizations lead
to, Language, which leads
to, Gestures, which leads
to, Social Skills
 Collaborative learning helps
develop cognitive skills
students need to find solutions
to problems on their own
Picture from: http://gsi.berkeley.edu/teachingguide/theories/social.html
Information from: textbook page 379-381

8. John Dewey
 Major reformer of American
Education, during the
Progressive Education
Movement of the 1900s
 Educational
psychologist, philosopher, advoc
ate for child-centered instruction
 Created the Laboratory School or
“Dewey School” in 1896
 Students working together
playing an active role in their
education
 He believed learning should be
student directed and teachers
should help students discover
resources.
 Allow students to
construct, create, and actively
inquire in order to prepare
them to function in society
Picture: http://www.notablebiographies.com/De-Du/Dewey-John.html
Information from: textbook page 381-382

9. What Does Constructivism Mean for Students
and Teachers?


10. Teacher Instruction and
Constructivism

 Teacher is not the expert, but the facilitator or consultant to
knowledge.
 Encourage and facilitate the autonomy and initiative of
students
 Read in to responses and reactions of students when different
materials are used.
 Asses and inquire about students prior knowledge base and
experience on subjects being taught.
 Facilitate and encourage students ideas and views on topics
 Create a Democratic and interactive classroom.
 Use the computer and internet for interactive games,
illustrations, and other raw materials

12. The Student and
Constructivism

 Give them opportunities to evaluate themselves
 Students are seated in small groups with 4-5 desks
together
 Students are encourage to discuss topics within their
group and question each other
 Students identify themselves and their experiences in the
activities or learning material
 Students have access to computer labs for research and
interactive lesson plans and may work in partners
 Students will feel their viewpoints are valid and
encourage to communicate with the teacher and other
students

13. Personal thought

Based on the studies preformed by these men, this theory seems to
be the one that works the best. It helps the teacher understand
where the student is at cognitively and directs the teacher on the
best actions for teaching the student.