Constructivism is an approach to learning that emphasises students developing their own knowledge through interaction with the world. It focusses on teaching students to actively participate in their learning process by asking open-ended questions and leading discussions. The three main principles of constructivism are radical and social, with radical constructivism stating that individuals build their knowledge based on their personal understanding of their experiences, while social constructivism suggests that individuals grow and learn in social settings through interacting with others. 

The idea of constructivism was developed by philosophers and psychologists like Jean Piaget, Lev Vygotsky, and John Dewey. Piaget believed that children learn by putting what they already know and experience together, while Vygotsky adapted radical constructivism from his cognitive development theory and used it in his theory of social development. Dewey, a famous philosopher of education, combined both Piaget's ideas about the individual cognitive journey and Vygotsky's ideas about social learning. He emphasised active exploration and social exploration, focusing on hands-on activities, experiments, and problem-solving. 

Dewey called this "progressive education," which emphasises active participation, sharing thoughts, and learning from each other. He established schools based on these principles, where students did projects, communicated, and performed hands-on tasks to learn. Many schools still use this method to encourage students to think for themselves instead of passively taking in knowledge. 

Piaget's constructivist principles in the classroom focus on active learning, student-centred learning, social interaction, and focusing on the process of learning, not just the product. Active learning involves students experiencing things for themselves, while student-centred learning allows teachers to guide students as they learn. Social interaction enhances learning through collaboration with peers, helping students solve problems, share ideas, and explain their thinking. 

Lev Vygotsky's social constructivist theory emphasises the role of social interaction and culture in cognitive development. His ideas have significantly influenced how schools work, shaping the principles that guide classroom activities. Vygotsky's principles include the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD), scaffolding, social interaction, culturally mediated learning, play, and culturally mediated learning. 

John Dewey's theory emphasises experiential learning, social learning, collaborative learning, critical thinking, curriculum integration, questioning, and emotional responses. Dewey believes that learning is about discovering things on one's own, sharing ideas with others, and learning from each other. He calls this "progressive education," which means that what is learnt is useful, interesting, and helps solve problems in the real world. 

Constructivism in education can transform classes into places where students actively learn and build their knowledge by interacting with others and the world around them. Piaget emphasises student-driven exploration, while Vygotsky emphasises social interaction and the importance of play. Dewey advocates for learning that deeply connects to real-world experiences, social collaboration, and critical thinking. 

In summary, constructivism provides a solid foundation for transforming the classroom into an exciting space for building knowledge and critical thinking. By following its basic ideas, teachers can give students the tools they need to take an active role in what they learn, encouraging a love of finding and a desire to keep learning throughout life. 

Mr Lyon Laxman
School of Arts
Email: @email