Constructivism as paradigm for teaching and learning

Abstract

Constructivism is basically a theory based on observation and scientific study – about how people learn. In the classroom, the constructivist view of learning can point towards a number of different teaching practices. In the most general sense, it usually means encouraging students to use active techniques to create more knowledge and then to reflect on and talk about what they are doing and how their understanding is changing. Constructivist teachers encourage students to constantly assess how the activity is helping them to gain understanding by questioning themselves and their strategies. Students in the constructivist classroom ideally become “expert learners”. This gives them ever broadening tools to keep learning. With a well – planned classroom environment, the students learns “HOW TO LEARN”. If our efforts in reforming education for all students are to succeed, then we must focus on students. To date, a focus on student – centered learning may well be the most important contribution of constructivism. This paper will focus on constructivism as paradigm for teaching and learning.