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Constructivism in 21st Century Education

Language allows humans to think in more complex and flexible ways beyond direct experiences. It removes constraints of only dealing with immediate perceptions by allowing representation of concepts. Bruner viewed infants as intelligent problem solvers from birth, with cognitive abilities similar to adults. Constructivism is a theory that knowledge is constructed by learners based on their experiences. In a constructivist classroom, students actively construct knowledge rather than receiving it, critical thinking and creativity are fostered, and assessment is part of the learning process to provide feedback.

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169 views2 pages

Constructivism in 21st Century Education

Language allows humans to think in more complex and flexible ways beyond direct experiences. It removes constraints of only dealing with immediate perceptions by allowing representation of concepts. Bruner viewed infants as intelligent problem solvers from birth, with cognitive abilities similar to adults. Constructivism is a theory that knowledge is constructed by learners based on their experiences. In a constructivist classroom, students actively construct knowledge rather than receiving it, critical thinking and creativity are fostered, and assessment is part of the learning process to provide feedback.

Uploaded by

Mannuelle Gacud
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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The Importance of Language

Language is important for the increased ability to deal with abstract concepts.
Bruner argues that language can code stimuli and free an individual from the constraints
of dealing only with appearances, to provide a more complex yet flexible cognition.
The use of words can aid the development of the concepts they represent and can
remove the constraints of the “here & now” concept. Bruner views the infant as an
intelligent & active problem solver from birth, with intellectual abilities basically similar to
those of the mature adult.

2. A constructivist classroom fosters critical thinking, flexibility, creativity,


active learning, and more.  All of which are standards of what a 21st century
classroom should reflect. 

It is not just about technology; to sustain a 21st century classroom


educators need to move from a transmittal instructional practice to a
constructivist and transactional model.  I believe in order for students to be
successful in and out of the classroom today we need to create learning
environments that give students the permission to construct knowledge, not
receive it.

3. Constructivism
5.1 Some common tenets
1. Learning is a search for meaning. Therefore, learning must start with the issues around
which students are actively trying to construct meaning.
2. Meaning requires understanding wholes as well as parts. And parts must be understood
in the context of wholes. Therefore, the learning process focuses on primary concepts, not
isolated facts.
3. In order to teach well, we must understand the mental models that students use to
perceive the world and the assumptions they make to support those models.
4. The purpose of learning is for an individual to construct his or her own meaning, not just
memorize the “right” answers and regurgitate someone else’s meaning. Since education is
inherently interdisciplinary, the only valuable way to measure learning is to make the
assessment part of the learning process, ensuring it provides students with information on the
quality of their learning.

Some of the tenets of constructivism in pedagogical terms:


 Students come to class with an established world-view, formed by years of prior
experience and learning.
 Even as it evolves, a student’s world-view filters all experiences and affects their
interpretation of observations.
 For students to change their world-view requires work.
 Students learn from each other as well as the teacher.
 Students learn better by doing.
 Allowing and creating opportunities for all to have a voice promotes the construction of
new ideas.

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