constructivism
kuhn-STRUK-tiv-iz-uhm
/kənˈstrʌktɪvɪzəm/
A theory of learning asserting that learners actively build knowledge rather than passively take in information.
Emphasizes prior experiences, hands-on inquiry, and social context in forming mental models.
The story behind the word. Built from Latin 'struere' (to pile up or construct). Pioneered in developmental psychology by Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky, constructivism gained widespread adoption in education during the late 20th century.
Word relationships
- experiential learning: Experiential learning focuses on learning by doing, whereas constructivism is the broader theoretical framework of mental construction.
- behaviorism: Behaviorism views learning as passive conditioning through reward/punishment, whereas constructivism views it as active mental creation.
Commonly confused with
- cognitivism: Cognitivism focuses on internal brain processing, whereas constructivism focuses on how individuals construct personal meaning.
Word family
- constructivist (noun/adjective): An advocate of constructivism, or relating to constructivist theory.
Collocations
- social constructivism
- radical constructivism
- constructivist learning
- constructivist pedagogy
Example sentences
- "Constructivism is a theory of knowledge with roots in philosophy, psychology and cybernetics." Epistemology & Pedagogy
- "Under constructivism, the teacher shifts from being a transmitter of knowledge to a guide during experiments." Modern Education
Memory hook
Learners CONSTRUCT (build) their own internal towers of knowledge brick by brick. Building knowledge actively.
When not to use
Do not confuse with Russian Constructivism, an early 20th-century art and architecture movement.
Fun facts
- Constructivism completely transformed modern science museum designs to feature interactive, hands-on exhibits!
Related words
Explore more words
inquiry, workshop, engagement, constructive, empirical, assimilation
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