Have you ever experienced the joy of creating your own knowledge? Sounds great, isn’t it? Yes! Creating one’s own knowledge can be super fun and exciting for sure. At a virtual high school, we believe in creating long-lasting and happy learning experiences through ‘Constructivism Theory’. The very name of this teaching methodology shows its lasting impact because whatever we do practically stays in our memories for a long time.
First-hand learning experiences through Constructivism learning theory:
It is believed that constructivism creates relevant ‘first-hand experiences’.
However, it is also important to note that the creation of one’s own knowledge does need a solid base. In case of constructivism, the previous knowledge of the student is the basis of the new knowledge.
To know more about this methodology, it is important to know the role of a teacher first.
Let’s discuss the role of a teacher in a constructivist classroom.
Even when the student is taking so much charge of his/her learning, the role of a teacher can never be ignored. In the teaching and learning process, an online teacher cannot be a passive observer. The teacher needs to keep a check on the direction of knowledge creation. Here, the teacher intervenes and suggests changes as and when there is a need.
We can simply understand that an online teacher takes up the role of a guide/mentor. By asking relevant questions and helping the student to come up with findings, the teacher plays a vital role. In cases of planned group activities also, the teacher encourages collaboration and fruitful discussions amongst students. With the support of the teacher, this teaching methodology adds to online school benefits.
When a student constructs his own knowledge he/she feels a sense of achievement.
But, this is not all, there are many more advantages of this researched methodology
(1) Active learning and better engagement:
To achieve a high level of student engagement, the best online high school makes use of this methodology. During one’s own knowledge creation, a student becomes highly active. This methodology allows students to experiment and reach the desired results. He can create real-life learning experiences and links back to his previous knowledge time and again. All in all a student becomes more and more engaged in a constructivist classroom.
(2) Adds a sense of responsibility:
Another benefit of this methodology is that in a constructivist classroom, an online student becomes all the more responsible. Through meaningful conversations with his peers, a student can look at a scenario from many perspectives. All in all, the group/individual takes more control of the learning process and become responsible for it completely. Indeed a great advantage for a successful online student.
(3) Cognitive development:
The next benefit is related to improved cognition. When a student is completely involved in his own learning, it improves deep thinking and problem-solving skills. Online school benefits help in making a student critical thinker, problem-solver, and a great researcher. While creating his own knowledge also a student explores various aspects of looking at things. He also learns how to apply knowledge in a given scenario for better results. Isn’t this a great advantage that can add value to the student’s learning?
(4) Better retention of knowledge:
For relevant teaching and learning experiences, the aspect of knowledge retention cannot be ignored. The use of constructivism learning theory in an accredited online school improves the retention of knowledge. This is because hands-on experiences are likely to create a permanent knowledge base in the mind of the student. As a great method used by experienced online teachers, constructivism leads to superb levels of knowledge retention. Another great benefit of this methodology!
Final Words:
Constructivism learning theory creates relevant, accurate, and deep learning experiences for students. The perfect use of this methodology in a virtual high school is a combination of freedom and mentoring. With the use of this teaching methodology, a virtual classroom opens up the gateway for permanent knowledge. Last, but not least it helps in creating independent learners in a happy learning environment!
Edwin Lim
Nov 21, 2020
