What is a constructivist classroom and how does it work?

Have you heard the saying: "Knowledge is not a copy of reality, but the product of a person’s interaction with their environment"? This is a quote from Jean Piaget, a Swiss psychologist who argued that understanding doesn’t imitate life, rather, it is a construction that each person builds from information they already possess and from interacting with their environment. This way of thinking is the basis of a constructivist classroom.

With this in mind, do you like studying and exploring topics on your own such as business management, marketing and soft skills? If the answer is yes, then even if you don't realise, you are already applying the foundations of constructivism in education to your learning process. In this article, we explain what it is, what benefits it brings, and we provide you with several examples of how it can be applied. 

What is a constructivist classroom? 

Education is of great importance in people's lives. In the words of the American philosopher, pedagogue and psychologist John Dewey: "Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself."

The constructivist classroom is one of the main trends in education. However, unlike the traditional system, which is based on memorisation and repetition, this education model aims for students to build their own knowledge based on previous learning. In other words, knowledge is built when we move beyond reproduction, producing new ideas based on our own experiences. 

Features and benefits of constructivism in education

Below, we explain the main features of the constructivist classroom and the benefits it brings: 

• Everyone builds their own knowledge. The learning process is adapted to the needs of each student according to their background and where they are right now. This stimulates skills such as analysis and problem solving, increasing autonomy. 
• Learning is built on your own experience. There is a relationship between the knowledge you already possess and that you will pick up. Knowledge is thus gained more efficiently. 
• Teaching is personalised. Everyone has their own interests and their own way of processing information. So, how they acquire knowledge is unique. Constructivism in education respects this difference and adapts to the needs, pace and personality of each individual. 

The constructivist classroom: how to apply the theory

There are numerous examples of how to put a constructivist classroom in practice. For example: 

Discussion forums

With discussion forums, knowledge is generated via every individual's own interests and way of thinking.

To this end, the teacher’s role is to put forward a subject for debate, guiding this with open questions. Meanwhile, students should research the topic for themselves and contribute their ideas. At this point, the teacher needs to question their ideas, their reasoning and the source of these, as well as raise new questions.

Technical articles for professional magazines

The idea here is to create a group of students to research a technical topic and write an article for a specialist magazine. 

In this case, the team members have to collaborate with one another and with professionals who are experts in a certain field in order to produce the article.

Online mind maps

Mind maps allow you to represent ideas and connect them based on new or existing knowledge. 

These can be created individually or shared online to be explored in groups, and thus hone cooperation skills.

Self-directed learning

Self-directed learning is a quintessential example of constructivism in education. 

There must be plenty of topics that interest you and that you would love to delve into and learn more about. So, by exploring these, we are constantly questioning the information we come across and integrate new knowledge into what we already know. 

Lifelong learning, a key tool to boost your career

Constructivism in education creates knowledge that is better anchored in the mind because it isn't easily forgotten, given that it’s based on a person's willingness to learn and their own experiences. Hence it is one of the most effective means of learning.

However, what is really important is that each person knows which learning method allows them to acquire knowledge more quickly and effectively, and that teachers have the necessary pedagogical skills to support students in this process of identifying and applying the most appropriate learning methodology.

Do you want to develop professional skills that will help you access better job opportunities? Discover Santander Open Academy, the training space you need to keep growing.

Join our global platform for learning and professional development and access courses at zero cost, training content in a wide range of formats and scholarships from leading universities and institutions.

If, like us, you believe that we should never stop learning, sign up here and find out what we have for you!