Question

If you were asked to describe constructivist teaching in a job interview, what would you say? How would you become a constructivist teacher?

Answer 1

Description of constructivist teaching

Constructivist teaching derives its meaning from constructivist learning. Such type of learning is active learning that makes students process the meaning of information or knowledge they gain from their teacher. Thus, constructivist teaching is all about letting students construct knowledge rather than simply receive it. An example of constructivist teaching is when a teacher asks for the participation of students in the process of learning by letting them discuss a topic by giving an input from their own life experiences or previous learning. Constructivist teaching sets a strong base to understanding concepts.

How I would become a constructivist teacher

As the famous constructivist Jean Piaget explained, constructivist education is all about the interaction of various ideas or experiences of students while constructing a meaning for knowledge. I would focus on the same and offer students the opportunities to assimilate their environmental learning and experiences into new information. Some of the ways I would do this include the following:

• I would teach them about a new concept and then invite their ideas and experiences to relate to and explain that concept in practical terms. An example is teaching children the concept of action verbs and then asking them to come up with situations for which they can create sentences by using some action verbs they can think of.
• Another way would be to let them experience a story rather than just listen to it. For instance, I would not read an English story for students in my class. I would select some students and let them enact that story in the form of a real drama where they can take up their roles as artists. This would let them assimilate their own experiences into the story and understand the moral.
• I would involve students in more experiments and case studies rather than in classroom lecture, thus helping them construct knowledge to be applied practically. I would give them opportunities to form a mental representation of new information and let them learn from their success or failure in tasks or activities.
• Some other techniques I would adopt include reciprocal questioning where students can learn in teams by questioning other students and answering their questions. They would also take up team projects and discuss controversial topics.

Thus, I would make students responsible for their learning while they bring their cultural experiences and background knowledge to new information and end up forming and retaining constructive knowledge. I would motivate them while they control their discussions. My role as a constructivist teacher would be to become a good facilitator, challenger and engager for students to make their learning active and structured.