Constructivism Learning Theory
by Lashana Crutchfield
1. Jean Piaget and Vygotsky are the major theorist behind this theory. They believed assimilating knowledge into new experiences is how people learn (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2016).
2. Characteristics of this theory include prior knowledge and experience used to make new meaning. The use of knowledge to reconstruct meaning is essential (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2016).
3. Memory comes from prior knowledge and external forces. Memories can change with inference (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2016).
4. Using previous experience to create your own learning is the idea behind the constructivism theory (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2016).
5. Teachers should be guides and facilitate the learning process. Students should be actively involved, and lessons should be student centered. Student choice and choice boards for assignments should be utilized. Students should produce tangible products. Teacher need to student's prior knowledge and use it to drive instruction; and monitor, guide, and give feedback throughout (Bransford, 2000).
