The Pros Of Constructivist Learning

Memory is an important dimension to learning, which involves the process of encoding information either visually, acoustically or semantically. Piaget viewed the processes of accommodation, assimilation and equilibrium as essential for children’s cognitive development. The ability for one to improve on their learning can be achieved through their ‘meta cognition’. This involves the learner having an awareness of their prior knowledge, and putting further plans in place to build upon this knowledge.
The constructivist perspective upon learning, focuses on how knowledge is actively constructed by the learner. The knowledge the learner constructs, is based on their individual and shared mediated experience. Constructivists argue there is no other reality other than what the student creates. Constructivist learning also inter links with cognitivism, as the constructivist learning can be described as an adaption which can occur via cognitive processes. Experience of the real world is a key concept of this learning perspective.
Bruner suggests that constructivist learning is based on discovery. Constructivist learning encourages the learner to makes connections between ideas, and relate them to existing knowledge. The constructivist classroom should provide children with opportunities that challenge them. Children should be encouraged to seek solutions to problems independently or as a group. From this they should be able to evaluate their solutions. This inter connects with the dimension of constructivist learning, described as problem based. Here the learner solves practical problems and gains new knowledge. Vygotsky’s constructivism is known as, ‘Social Constructivism’, which suggests learning and knowledge developed in social groups or