6 Principles of Constructivist Learning

“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” This popular adage helps illustrate the power of constructivist learning theory, a student-centered teaching model used in many K–12 classrooms.

At a Glance:

• Constructivism is a theory that encourages learning as an internal, active process where new knowledge is built upon past knowledge.
• Students’ participation, teamwork, and practical experimentation are encouraged in constructivist teaching.

Education professionals in the online MS in Education (MSEd) degree program at Walden University explore constructivist learning theory in their coursework.

An important MSEd resource is Shirley M. Hord’s article “Professional Learning Communities,” published in the Journal of Staff Development. In it, Hord discusses the principles of constructivist learning.¹

“The most common teaching/learning pattern for adults and children today emphasizes individual learner work flowing from an instructor’s lecture,” Hord writes. “This teacher-centered style, where the teacher pontificates about a topic or skill, is followed by directions from the teacher for the learner’s assigned application tasks. Changing this teaching/learning process from instructor-centered to learning-centered (whether for children or adults) constitutes a fundamental change.”

6 Principles of Constructivist Learning

While there are different interpretations of constructivist learning theory, Hord’s article cites six key principles identified by Mary Burns, Marylu Menchaca, and Vicki Dimock as being important to constructivist learning theory. They are as follows:¹

1. Learners bring unique prior knowledge, experience, and beliefs to a learning situation.
2. Knowledge is constructed uniquely and individually in multiple ways, through a variety of authentic tools, resources, experiences, and contexts.
3. Learning is both an active and reflective process.
4. Learning is a developmental process of accommodation, assimilation, or rejection to construct new conceptual structures, meaningful representations, or new mental models.
5. Social interaction introduces multiple perspectives through reflection, collaboration, negotiation, and shared meaning.
6. Learning is internally controlled and mediated by the learner.

How to Use Constructivism in the Classroom

Here are some examples of how you might use constructivist learning theory in the classroom:

• Incorporate role-playing into your teaching. In history, students might play the parts of historical figures, or bring inanimate objects to life in math or science class.²
• Assemble small groups of students to work together to find solutions to real-world problems.
• Engage students by asking questions and then use their answers to facilitate their learning. The article “Constructivism as a Paradigm for Teaching and Learning” suggests that in the constructivist classroom, “one of the teacher’s biggest jobs becomes asking good questions.”³
• Make learning relevant to students whenever possible.
• “Use raw data and primary sources, along with manipulative, interactive, and physical materials,” “Constructivism as a Paradigm for Teaching and Learning” recommends.3

In her article, Hord notes that the benefits of constructivist learning accrue beyond the classroom.

“Staff members, with their school leaders, are using data to make decisions about what to learn, how to learn it, how to transfer and apply it to their classrooms, and how to assess its effectiveness,” she writes. “In doing so, professional learning community members operate as constructivist learners, making collegial decisions and planning self-generating learning.”¹

Advance Your Career With an MSEd Degree

An online master’s in education can give you the skills you need to become a respected leader in your school and classroom. With Walden’s flexible online learning platform, you can earn a degree while continuing to work and stay active in personal activities. As a working professional earning a master’s degree in education, you can immediately apply what you’re learning to your school or classroom.

And because Walden’s online MSEd degree program offers 15 specializations, you can expand your knowledge and expertise across a broad spectrum of K–12 career fields. Choose a specialization in mathematics, science, or elementary reading and literacy. Become an expert in STEM education, classroom technology, or teacher leadership. And if you’re an aspiring principal, you can focus your studies on educational leadership and administration.

Walden’s Richard W. Riley College of Education and Human Sciences is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Walden believes that a great education makes a great educator. Bring your talents to Walden’s community of excellence to earn a master’s in education online that can help prepare you to achieve your career aspirations.

Walden University is an accredited institution offering an online MS in Education degree program. Expand your career options and earn your degree using a convenient, flexible learning platform that fits your busy life.

¹Source: Hord, S. (Winter 2009). “Professional Learning Communities.” Journal of Staff Development, 30(1), 40–43, 78.
²Source: www.brighthubeducation.com/teaching-methods-tips/85138-student-centered-learning-with-constructivist-teaching-strategies/
³Source: thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/constructivism/index_sub1.html

Accreditation
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.