The Role of Constructivism in Modern Education

Have you ever felt outdated because everything is changing around you? Globe Scan’s global public opinion research 2023 shows that 78% of people across 31 countries feel that they cannot keep up with a fast-changing world. Things are changing fast and drastically, and a large amount of data is being generated around us. The foundation behind this change is education.

Hence, a shift from traditional methods of learning is necessary. The constructivist approach in modern education is useful for catching up with the speed of this change. Rote learning and teacher-led instruction are replaced by creative, problem-solving, and student-centred approaches. In this, students must take the initiative to learn new things, and they can come up with a new, reasonable understanding of concepts through experiences and their previously known things. In the 21st century, learners have to find solutions through critical thinking because questions are rising beyond the syllabus. 

What is Constructivism? 

Constructivism is the active learning approach, in which the learner is expected to come forward with a motivation for learning. The main idea is that knowledge can be constructed; it should not always be transmitted. It provides opportunities for students to use their imagination constantly and find out their abilities (Pawar, 2020). Not only emphasising the basic activities such as reading, writing, and memorising, but also encouraging the students to be actively involved in the process of understanding the subject. Jean Piaget, Vygotsky, and Dewey are the pioneers of constructivism, they came up with foundational theories. 

Read More: Pragmatism as the Philosophy of modern times?

Core principles of Constructivism 

1. Active Learning 

A.P.J. Abdul Kalam also once said, “One of the very important characteristics of a student is to ask questions. Let them ask questions.” Learners are attentive while learning, they ask questions, and they compare things with known facts. 

2. Knowledge is Constructed

For instance, earlier, the students were supposed to attend the classes by being seated in clean rows and hearing the teacher standing up front. This is the education pattern influenced by the fact that knowledge is transmitted. However, students always take part in understanding the facts that have been imparted by their teacher. By comparing those facts with previous knowledge, they come up with their versions of knowledge. Hence, knowledge is constructed. If a learner gets more chances to interact with the environment, the more they are involved in critical thinking. 

3. Learning comes from Social Interaction

Vygotsky proposed the concept that people learn from their social context, cultural exposure, and interactions with others. Learners derive meaning from their understanding of others. Social constructivism highlights the importance of the role of language, social interactions, and cultural artefacts. 

Read More: Psyche and Learning: the Insights of Educational Psychology

Modern Classroom 

Modern education is trying to build an interactive model of learning in which they want their students are expected to focus on imagining, visualising, and thinking. By doing this, students’ interaction with themselves and with others or the environment will strengthen their ability to think outside of the box. Modern education fosters important life skills and facilitates a positive approach to a sense of responsibility. The purpose of modern education is to prepare children for unknown challenges. Many schools have started an experiential learning approach.

1. Learner-centred learning 

Have you remembered those painful moments of noting the answers to the important questions? This happens because teachers’ words are essential for earning good marks. However, in a constructivist space, students become the centre of the learning process, and the teacher becomes a guide or facilitator. A teacher provides a free learning environment where students can ask questions, talk with others, and express their opinions.

The teachers encourage students to make efforts to find answers to their questions. It motivates them to be responsible for their progress, so after finding out the answers, they get a sense of achievement. It can work like a reward system. For example, a constructivist teacher might organise an experiential workshop on scientific experiments, instead of just teaching the concepts on the blackboard and giving notes.

Read More: Strategies for Creating Positive Learning Environments in Classroom

2. Collaborative learning 

Social constructivism defines the importance of social context in learning. Teamwork, group discussions, and cooperative problem-solving are vital components in modern classrooms. This all leads to an accurate understanding of the complex subjects and helps to get to know other varied perspectives. Students learn to communicate effectively, and they construct knowledge as a team. Johnson, Johnson, and Smith (2007) have shown that collaborative learning activities increase students’ motivation, engagement, and achievement. 

3. Problem-oriented learning 

Problem-oriented learning and inquiry-based learning are used in constructivist education. This method makes students more curious, enthusiastic, motivated, proactive, and independent thinkers in a self-directed learning style. The PBL model was given in 1996 by Barrows. In this, the problem is initiating the process of inquiry. People acquire knowledge, but if they do not know how and when to use it, then it is a total waste. Hence, PBL utilises learned skills to solve problems while developing critical, innovative thinking, and lifelong skills.

4. Integration of technology 

Technology-integrated learning can help run a modern classroom based on constructivism more effectively. Teachers can provide students with more experiential learning and guide them with a more resourceful approach. This increases active engagement in students.

On what theory does Constructivism stand? 

1. Jean Piaget 

Piaget is a pioneer of cognitive constructivism. He proposed that the active construction of knowledge takes place when one interacts with the environment and goes through cognitive developmental stages. Children absorb everything from the environment through their senses, and in later times, they apply this absorbed knowledge to newfound concepts. It means old knowledge is modified by new knowledge. This discovery helps in the foundation of constructivist educational practices, such as learning tasks that challenge their current schematic framework.

2. Lev Vygotsky 

He brings out another social side of constructivism. The contextual aspect of learning is most important to constructivist learning. Because Vygotsky highlighted that diverse cultures and people belonging to them help to form new ideas. According to him, one learns actively through collaborative learning skills, negotiation with others, and interaction with others.

Read More: Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory

Perks of Constructivism in Modern Education 

• Lifelong knowledge: It makes learners’ base of knowledge strong because it’s associated with experiences. Hence, it leads to an implicit understanding of the concepts rather than bookish concepts. Practicality sustains the acquired knowledge. 
• Maximum engagement: Active participation and real-world problem-solving maximise the engagement. 
• Encourage students’ autonomy and self-confidence. 
• Students talk more often with teachers and reflect on their thoughts. 

Case Study on India’s Modern Education 

The National Education Policy 2020 made efforts to shift from traditional learning experiences to student-centred learning. It was based on constructivist principles that enhanced active learning,  inquiry-based learning, and experiential learning through the teacher’s guidance. The teachers are also expected to encourage collaborative teaching where the teacher and students both have authority.

Arranged workshops to bridge the gap between real-world requirements, which also facilitates peer discussions. Skill development is also emphasised in the policy to initiate the exploration of new ideas. By cultivating an inclusive, reflective, engaging educational environment, NEP 2020 shows how the constructivist approach is grounded as a reformative education system.

Read More: Psychological Insights into Metacognition and Learning

Conclusion 

Constructivism plays an important role in reshaping the educational pattern in the modern era. This learning has discarded the mechanical approach and leads to a meaningful approach by designing the interactive structure to provide real-world application, social interaction, and active engagement. Every individual’s potential is going to be highlighted through this type of experiential learning, in which the sense of responsibility, reflection of thoughts matter most.

After consideration of its challenges, the number of strengths is still more, through which we can achieve a good quality education. And we can catch up with the pace of the changing world. In the future, critical thinkers will get the best opportunities to shine in a world where AI, climate change, scarcity, and data management are taking place. 

FAQs 

1. What is a constructivist approach in modern education? 

Modern education cultivates active learning, collaborative learning, social interaction, learner-centred learning, problem-based learning, and encourages the learners’ ownership. 

2. What is the aim of the constructivist approach? 

To enhance active engagement in learners and boost self-confidence and autonomy. Focusing on identity development. 

3. What is the role of the teacher in the constructivist approach? 

Teachers act like facilitators and provide guidance. They support the student in their learning and understanding journey.