This week our topic is concerning Constructivism in education. Have you ever wondered what it is and how it benefits our educators and students? Constructivism is a way of looking at how children construct meaning of the world around them. It’s based on the idea that students build new knowledge on what they already know. This is applied by experiencing real-world problems and reflecting on those experiences. A constructivist approach to teaching benefits everyone and is also beneficial for students learning who are from diverse backgrounds.
Here are a few benefits of the constructivist approach I found of interest.
•First, one-size-fits-all approaches to teaching—and especially the rigid use of pre-packaged curriculum—tend to either overlook or demean the unique resources that students from non-mainstream backgrounds bring to school. While it is important for all students to master “official” school knowledge, this should never occur at the expense of students maintaining what they already know. A Constructivist approach encourages teachers to value and build upon all students’ existing knowledge, even if that knowledge seems different from the formal curriculum.
•Second, when students are recognized as possessing important knowledge, they are more likely to feel motivated, connected and confident. This positions them to engage in successful learning.
•Third, a constructivist approach does not assume that there is one “normal” way to learn or that “accommodations” need to be made for students who can’t keep up. Instead, the assumption from the outset is that each student learns in his or her own way. Therefore, instruction must be sufficiently open ended to support all backgrounds and learning styles. Thus, constructivist teachers often use project-based and hands-on approaches, allowing students to work at their own pace, to draw on their prior knowledge and to make meaning on their own terms as they learn.
•Fourth, a constructivist approach supports equitable and fair treatment of all students. Because instruction must build upon what students know, it must also begin with and remain centered on students.
•Finally, constructivism supports collaborative learning—students working with and learning from one another—and the development of a strong learning community.
http://www.cwcmarvista.org/what_is_constructivism_and_how_does_it_benefit_students