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70 Examples of Constructivism

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Constructivism is an approach to education that seeks to construct knowledge through experience. This is loosely based on the philosophy of constructivism that states that objective reality doesn't exist such that all knowledge is a human construct. The following are illustrative examples of constructivism in education.
Case studies
Character design projects
Coding challenges
Collecting and analyzing meteorological data
Community research projects
Community service learning
Composing questions
Conducting interviews
Constructing concept maps
Craft projects
Creating infographics
Creating maps
Creative reuse projects
Creative writing
Critique sessions
Cultural exchange programs
Current events discussions
Dance choreography
Data analysis projects
Debate & discussion
Decision making activities
Defining problem statements
Design challenges
Design exhibitions
Design of science simulations
Designing and conducting surveys
Developing decision criteria
Documentary filmmaking
Documenting historical timelines
Engineering challenges
Ethics discussions
Field research
Field trips
Game development projects
Gardening projects
Guest speakers
Improvisation music exercises
Industry internships
Interactive storytelling
Journal writing
Journalistic investigations
Language exchanges
Language games
Language immersion
Literary analysis essays
Literary criticism discussions
Literary podcasts
Literature circles
Mathematical games
Measurement activities
Media production projects
Model building
Museums
Music composition
Nature journals
Nature walks
Outdoor sketching
Paper prototypes
Problem-solving challenges
Reflective writing
Research projects
Robotics engineering projects
Science experiments
Science fairs
Second language drama productions
Simulation games
Story retelling
Storyboarding
Theatrical productions
Visual storytelling with posters

Advisors

Constructivism calls upon each student to build knowledge through experience such that knowledge can't simply be transferred from the teacher to student. As such, teachers play a facilitation role. For example, a school that has students pursue their own projects with the teacher playing a advisory role.

Love of Learning

Students are expected to pursue knowledge in a self-directed fashion. This is based on the idea that people, particularly children, are inquisitive and naturally pursue knowledge. Constructivism avoids doing anything that is likely to damage this love of learning.

Assessment

Tests may be avoided or may be based on unique outputs such as an essay. Assessment may be solely based on a teacher's opinion as constructivism completely rejects objectivity such as a "correct answer."

Play

A recognition of the value of play typically runs through constructivist school culture.

Group Work

In many cases, constructionist teaching methods are heavily based on group work. This tends to benefit students who prefer talking to quiet reflection, reading, analysis and synthesis. Where group work is overdone, students who have potential for concentrated quiet effort may suffer.

Discussion

Class discussion or debate. Constructionism allows students to challenge all ideas including those put forward by teachers and learning materials.

Leadership

Groupings may be mixed-age and older children may be given a leadership role. For example, older children may play a role in leading a field trip.

Experimentation

Running experiments to acquire original knowledge. For example, a student who tests different algorithms for the autonomous movement of a small robot.

Research

Research projects whereby students collect knowledge from sources and apply skills such as critical analysis and composition.

Learning by Teaching

Students are asked to share the results of their projects, research and initiatives with others such that they learn by teaching.

Problem Solving

The development of solutions to open-ended problems. This can be contrasted with traditional education that is mostly based on close-ended problems with a known solution. For example, developing an algorithm for an automated watering system for plants as opposed to an algorithm for sorting a list that has a known optimal solution.

Field Trips

As constructivism views learning as a process of experience, field trips may be viewed as a core learning activity.

Media

The consumption and production of media such as film.

Art

Creative exercises based on the principle of art for art's sake.

Design

Solving problems with design and design thinking. For example, redesigning a shelve to solve a problem of clutter in a classroom.

Postmodernism

Constructionism and its rejection of objective reality is a defining characteristic of postmodernism. This is a broad academic trend that has had great influence over the social sciences since the 1960s. Science, technology, engineering and mathematics are less influenced by postmodernism because objective reality is important to these fields. For example, if you're designing an aircraft it is important to calculate the objectively correct answer to how much thrust is required in a particular scenario such that the constructionist idea that there are "no correct answers" is useless or dangerous.

Overview

Constructivism is based on active learning and inquiry whereby learners explore topics and build on existing knowledge and experiences. This is typically open-ended and self-directed whereby instructors provide structure but each learner decides how to engage with topics.

Summary

Constructivism is an approach to education that seeks to construct knowledge through experience.

Discussion

While many schools are purely based on constructivism, in practice it is possible to balance this with other methods. For example, constructionism may not be useful for mathematics where convergent thinking is important but may be useful for computer science where real world problems are often open-ended.
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Ability Grouping
Academic Disciplines
Academic Interests
Academic Person
Achievements
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Constructivism
Creative Tension
Credentialism
Critical Thinking
Curiosity Drive
Digital Divide
Disadvantages
Education Goals
Education Technology
Educational Philosophy
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ERG Theory
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Five Whys
Flynn Effect
Formative Assessment
Heliotropic Effect
Honor System
Media Literacy
Peak-End Rule
Plain Language
Rationalism
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Student Attributes
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Student Goals
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Thesis Statement
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