Constructivism is a theory that asserts that learning occurs through an active process of constructing knowledge. The spelling of "constructivism" is pronounced /kənˈstrʌktɪvɪzəm/. The initial syllable, "con," is pronounced with a schwa sound followed by the consonant sound /k/. The second syllable, "struct," is pronounced with a short "u" sound followed by /str/. The final syllable, "iv-ism," is pronounced with a short "i" followed by /vɪzəm/. The word "constructivism" is widely used in educational contexts to describe a student-centered approach to learning.
Constructivism is a theory and philosophy of learning that emphasizes the active role of learners in the process of acquiring and constructing knowledge. It posits that individuals actively build their understanding of the world through their experiences, interactions, and reflection. In constructivism, learning is seen as a personal and social endeavor influenced by cultural and contextual factors.
According to this theory, learners create mental representations or frameworks, known as schemas, based on their prior experiences and knowledge. These new experiences and knowledge are assimilated and incorporated into these existing frameworks or are accommodation, modifying or creating new schemas to accommodate new information. Constructivism highlights the importance of the learner's ability to make meaning and interpret new information in accordance with their existing knowledge and beliefs.
In constructivist learning, the role of the teacher is to act as a facilitator and guide rather than a transmitter of knowledge. They create opportunities for learners to explore and discover, engage in authentic problem-solving activities, and reflect on their learning. Collaboration and interaction with peers are also central to constructivist learning, as learners can benefit from sharing their experiences, perspectives, and knowledge.
Overall, constructivism emphasizes the active, meaningful, and personal nature of learning, as learners construct their understanding of the world through their active engagement with it.
The word "constructivism" comes from the term "construction" and the suffix "-ism", which denotes a belief system, theory, or movement. "Construction" is derived from the Latin word "constructio", which means "a putting together" or "a building". In the context of educational and philosophical theories, constructivism refers to the belief that knowledge is constructed by learners through their experiences, interactions, and the active construction of meaning. The term was first used in the field of education during the early 20th century and has since been widely adopted in various disciplines such as psychology, sociology, and art theory.