How constructivist am I?

What is Constructivist Theory?

Constructivism is the process of acquiring, cultivating, and employing one’s cognitive abilities. To explain the cognitive processes involved in the construction of knowledge, theories, such as those that Piaget and Vygotsky developed, have been offered. From the constructivist point of view, learning is an active construction of knowledge. This suggests that the learner is at the heart of the learning process, whereas educators are merely facilitators of learning. To be effective in learning, time and social interaction must be present.

Students must develop their own meanings based on their experiences and understandings. The constructivist approach pursues individual purpose and comprehension rather than role correlations (Airasian & Walsh, 1997).

Cautions of Constructivist Teaching

The following are the compelling arguments brought by Airasian and Walch about constructivist teaching and the things educators should be cautious about. (1997).

l,  Do not fail to recognize the difference between an epistemology of learning and a well-thought-out and manageable approach for implementing it.

l,  Do not fall into the trap of believing that constructivist instructional techniques provide the sole means by which students construct meanings.

l,  Do not assume that a constructivist orientation will make the same demands on teaching time as a nonconstructive orientation.

l,  Do not believe that the opposite of “one right answer” reductionism is “anything-goes” constructivism.

How constructivist am I?

I consider myself a constructivist who also considers other learning theories. I design activities that enhance students’ critical thinking and creativity skills. Making authentic and interactive materials is time-consuming, as teachers must reflect on how students justify their constructions.

In presenting a new topic, I’d like to ensure that I draw upon what students already know. For students who are struggling and confused, I use scaffolding activities and techniques. As I aim for high-level learning outcomes, I am relearning instructional methods and strategies.