Key Takeaways
- Constructivism is a student-centered theory where learners build new knowledge on what they already know.
- The six principles of constructivist learning theory were identified by researchers Mary Burns, Marylu Menchaca, and Vicki Dimock.2
- Constructivist classrooms emphasize active learning, reflection, collaboration, and social interaction.
- Teachers act as facilitators who guide discovery rather than simply delivering lectures.
- An MS in Education can help educators learn how to bring constructivist strategies into their own classrooms.
Constructivist learning theory is a student-centered approach that treats learning as an active process. Students construct new knowledge by connecting it to what they already know. Instead of delivering facts to memorize, teachers design experiences that prompt exploration, questioning, and collaboration. The result is deeper, more durable learning.
The adage, “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I remember, involve me and I learn,” captures the essence of constructivist learning theory. For educators pursuing a master’s degree in education, grasping this theory can help reshape the way they teach.
What Is Constructivist Learning Theory?
Constructivist learning theory is a student-centered approach that holds that people construct their own understanding by connecting new information to knowledge and experiences they already have.1 Rather than treating a learner's mind as an empty container waiting to be filled, constructivism treats it as an active workshop, one where new ideas get tested against old ones until something new takes shape.
The theory traces back to psychologist Jean Piaget's studies of how children build mental models of the world, and it has since expanded into a widely used framework for teaching students of every age.1 For educators, that shift matters. It changes the teacher's job from delivering information to designing experiences that help students construct it themselves.
What Are the Six Principles of Constructivist Learning?
Researchers Mary Burns, Marylu Menchaca, and Vicki Dimock identified six principles that describe how constructivist learning unfolds. They are:2
- Learners approach any new lesson with their own prior knowledge, experience, and beliefs already in place.
- Each learner builds knowledge in their own way, drawing on real tools, resources, experiences, and contexts.
- Learning requires both doing and reflecting on what was done.
- Learning is a developmental process: Learners accommodate, assimilate, or reject new information as they build new mental models.
- Talking and working with others exposes learners to different perspectives through reflection, collaboration, negotiation, and shared meaning.
- Ultimately, the learner, not the instructor, controls and directs their own learning.
What do these principles have in common? Each one puts the learner, not the instructor, at the center of the process. A teacher can present information, but only the learner decides how it connects to what they already believe.
What Does Constructivism Look Like in the Classroom?
In a constructivist classroom, teachers spend less time lecturing and more time posing problems, then stepping back to let students work through them. Here are some practical ways to apply constructivist learning theory:
- Try role-playing. In history, students might take on the parts of historical figures. In science, they could act out how different organs work together in the digestive system.
- Form small groups. Have students work together to solve real-world problems, which builds collaboration and exposes them to multiple perspectives.
- Ask good questions. Engage students with open-ended questions and use their answers to guide the lesson.
- Make learning relevant. Connect lessons to students’ lives and interests so the material feels meaningful.
- Use primary sources and hands-on materials. Bring in raw data, physical objects, and interactive tools so students learn by doing.
Does Constructivism Extend Beyond the Classroom?
Constructivist principles apply to adult learners, too. Professional learning communities, where teachers meet regularly to study data and refine their practice together, run on a similar idea: Knowledge grows out of shared reflection and real classroom experience, not a one-time workshop.2
Refresh Your Teaching Strategies with a Master’s in Education
Earning a master’s degree can help you deepen your understanding of learning theories like constructivism and gain skills you can apply to your teaching practice.
Walden University’s online MS in Education is designed for working educators who want to earn a degree without pressing pause on their careers. Walden’s Richard W. Riley College of Education and Human Sciences is an accredited school of education, recognized by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
The master’s program offers multiple specializations, giving you the freedom to focus on what matters most to you. Options include Mathematics, Science, Elementary Reading and Literacy, STEM Education, Integrating Technology in the Classroom, and Teacher Leadership. If your goals include school leadership, you can specialize in Educational Leadership and Administration.
For educators ready to reimagine how their students learn, an online master's in education may offer a place to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is constructivist learning theory in simple terms?
Constructivist learning theory is the idea that people build their own understanding by connecting new information to what they already know and have experienced, rather than absorbing knowledge passively from a lecture or textbook.
Who came up with constructivist learning theory?
Constructivism traces back to psychologist Jean Piaget's research on how children construct mental models of the world.1 Other researchers, including Lev Vygotsky, later expanded the theory to emphasize the role of social interaction in learning.
What are the 6 principles of constructivist learning?
The six principles, identified by researchers Mary Burns, Marylu Menchaca, and Vicki Dimock, describe prior knowledge, individual construction of knowledge, active and reflective learning, developmental growth, social interaction, and learner-controlled learning.2
How is a constructivist classroom different from a traditional one?
A constructivist classroom centers on questions and student discussion rather than lecture. Teachers act as facilitators who guide students toward their own understanding instead of delivering information for students to memorize.3
Is constructivist learning only for children?
No. Constructivist principles apply to learners of any age, including adults in graduate programs, where connecting new coursework to real professional experience is often central to how learning happens.
How can I learn more about constructivist teaching strategies?
An MS in Education (MSEd) program explores learning theories like constructivism and how to apply them in real classrooms. Walden University offers an online MSEd with multiple specializations designed for working educators.
Walden University is an HLC-accredited institution offering an MS in Education degree program online. Earn your degree in a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy life.
1Source: dictionary.apa.org/constructivism
2Source: learningforward.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/hord301.pdf
3Source: www.ascd.org/el/articles/the-courage-to-be-constructivist
Accreditation
The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) accredits Walden University’s Richard W. Riley College of Education and Human Sciences. CAEP promotes excellence in educator preparation through quality assurance and continuous improvement.
Walden University’s Richard W. Riley College of Education and Human Sciences is accredited based on the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) Standards through June 2026. This accreditation covers specific Walden initial teacher and advanced educator preparation programs, including the BS in Elementary Education, Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) – Special Education specialization, MS in Education – Educational Leadership and Administration specialization, and EdS in Educational Leadership and Administration. The MAT-SPED, MSED-ELA, and EdS-ELA programs were reviewed by Specialized Professional Associations (SPAs), which define content-area standards for programs, and achieved national recognition.
CAEP promotes excellence in educator preparation through quality assurance and continuous improvement. Walden’s College of Education and Human Sciences has earned national accreditation by demonstrating excellence in the areas of content and pedagogy, clinical experiences, selectivity, program impact, and capacity for continuous improvement. CAEP is a Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)-recognized national accreditor for educator preparation.
Walden University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
