Constructivism for Math

Constructivism

The theory of constructivism, is a common psychological ideal developed by Jean Piaget. This theory is a philosophy of learning established on the foundation that emphasizes specifically on cognitive development and the active role that learners play in building their own understandings. In this point of view, children actively put together knowledge by continually absorbing and familiarizing themselves with new information (Slavin 33). “Teachers with a constructivist perspective recognize that what the learner already knows is a critical factor affecting learning and that it is incumbent upon teachers to ascertain the understandings held by students. Learning opportunities are planned that help students move from their current understanding to new understanding” (Lingreen). According to constructivism, the purpose of learning is for a student to construct his or her own meaning of an objective or lesson, not just to memorize answers to a text or definitions of words simply to reiterate someone elses meaning. Constructivist theory sees learners as persistently checking newly learned information with old rules and strategies and then creating their own way of those understanding those rules, especially where the old rules no longer work with the new ones (Slavin 243). With this teaching method, grading is not issued because students assess their own progress.

As a constructivist-oriented teacher, students would be encouraged to write in their own words and summarize ideas including their own thoughts. “The essence of the constructivist theory is the idea that learners must individually discover and transform complex information if they are to make it on their own (Slavin 243). With the implication of the constructivist theory, there would be more hands-on practice and peer interaction between students. For example, groups of students in a math class discuss a solution to a problem while the teacher guides the students by helping students restate...