International Journal of Physical and Social Sciences
Year : 2011, Volume : 1, Issue : 1
First page : ( 23) Last page : ( 47)
Online ISSN : 2249-5894.

Constructivism as a paradigm for teaching and learning

Mrs. Gupta Seema

M.B.A, UGC (NET-HRM), Sr. Lecturer (PGDM), Babu Banarasi Das University, Lucknow

Online published on 14 November, 2013.

Abstract

Behaviorism and constructivism are two of the predominant educational theories that form the basis of many today's educational technology. Research shows that the traditional classroom teaching method known as lecturing, in which the instructor (lecturer) primarily speaks and the students primarily listen and take notes, is very ineffective.Studies indicate that active participation is more effective in a learning environment that emulates a real world learning environment. In a traditional teaching process, very little learning takes place. Studies support that the teacher alone can nurture a student's participation in the learning process. They are the facilitators of creating constructivist learning environment representing learning with technology which encourages learners to actively process and organize information by making internal cognitive connections. This paper brings into discussion the shift in the role of teachers in the learning process, from the traditional teaching environment to learning environment that encourages active student's participation in the learning process. These characteristics of an effective teacher are grounded in the constructivism theory of learning, prior to which a brief description of behaviorism is provided. The paper also discusses the effectiveness of the constructivist approach and the various pedagogies that leverage constructivism.

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Keywords

Constructivism, behaviorism, Constructionism, virtual learning, reciprocal learning, Collaborative learning, Critical Exploration, Metacognition.

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