Constructivist Learning Theory

Each of the learning theories play an important role in how students learn. I

could easily find at least one idea from each theory that I believe is how students

learn. However, the Constructivist Theory is the one that I believe in the most.

Constructivists believe that learners build or construct meaning as they gain

understanding on their own (Austin 101). As students construct meaning in their

head they are learning.

As a teacher focusing on constructive learning, I would encourage students to

use hands on techniques such as experiments, group work, real-world problem

solving, and field trips. The goal of this type of teaching is to have the students

understanding changed through a personal experience (Austin 101). I believe that

this is the best way for students to learn. This type of teaching and learning helps

students to better understand the material and make connections with everyday

life, in turn helping them remember the material. The curriculum being taught in the

constructivist theory would be customized to a students needs and their

development level rather than standardized curriculum (Austin 102). I feel as

though this idea would benefit students because the curriculum would be focused

on more of what they need to learn. Parker Palmer said We teach students, not

content (Austin 119). Im a firm believer that overall, students learn better using a

hands-on approach rather than listening to an instructor lecture. In my own

experiences, students have benefited and enjoyed the lesson more when they were

involved with the learning rather than learning through direct instruction. In 1993,

Jaqueline and Martin Brooks wrote an article showing the percentages of the

amount of information retained through various forms of teaching. Group

discussion, practice by doing, teaching others and using what they have learned
right away showed the best results in retained information while lecture, reading,

and audiovisual proved to be the least effective forms in retaining information.

Researcher Carries Drummer of Hope College found similar results in their study.

Discussion with peers, experience with others, and teaching someone else were the

best for information retention (Austin 124).

A Constructivist whose ideas I agree with is John Dewey. He gave the

framework from which others follow. His philosophy focused on learning-by-doing

rather than just rote learning or direct instruction (Austin 103). Students today

usually like his ideas because they include experiencing new information and

reflecting on new concepts. Dewey teaches us that we must engage and enlarge a

students experience when we teach, interconnecting career goals and education

since they are at once relevant in a students life (Austin 103). Another

Constructivist whose ideas I agree with is Jerome Bruner. Bruner gave us the idea,

learning is an active process in which learners construct new idea or concepts

based on their prior knowledge (Austin 111). Bruner said, We take what we know

to figure out what we dont know (Austin 19). As a paraprofessional, I see this

happen every day. I was working with first grade students on reading sight words.

The sight word that came up was make. Most of the students pronounced it

mackie. However, there was one student who pronounced it correctly. He went on

to tell me about how last year they learned when there was a silent e at the end of

the word it made the first vowel say its name. I was amazed he remembered the

little rule he was taught in kindergarten, but it also showed me that he was using

something he had already learned to figure out a new word. Believing this also

means I believe the more a person knows, the more he or she can know! (Austin

21). Bruners idea of taking what we know to figure out what we dont know is the
epicenter of constructivism (Austin 112). A specific constructivist idea that I believe

in is Cooperative Learning. This is a successful teaching strategy where small

teams of students with different learning levels of ability use different learning

activities to understand a subject. Documented results show improved academic

achievement, improved behavior and attendance, as well as increased self-

confidence, motivation and increased liking of school and classmates (Austin 122).

Through my own experiences and research about Dewey, Bruner and other

Constructivists, I believe the Constructivist Theory is the best theory to implement

in the classroom. Students are constantly taking new experiences and learning new

things by exploring their own world. This theory provides a variety of ways for

students to stay engaged and enjoy their learning experience. They are then able to

take the knowledge and experience to further construct the building blocks of their

education.
Works Cited
Austin, Dr. Leonard. Essentials of Educational Psychology Thoughts and Ideas about
How Students Learn. Charlotte: Kona Publishing & Media Group, 2015.