The materials in the portfolio were developed using research from current learning theory and have been field tested and carried out in a variety of settings by over 350 teachers. The goal of the portfolio is to assist teachers in developing and implementing learner-centered environments supported by technology. A synthesis of the current literature on constructivism resulted in the following six principles that serve as the foundation for the ALT portfolio.
Learners bring unique prior knowledge, experience, and beliefs to a learning situation.
Knowledge is constructed uniquely and individually, in multiple ways, through a variety of authentic tools, resources, experiences, and contexts. Learning is both an active and reflective process. Learning is a developmental process of accommodation, assimilation, or rejection to construct new conceptual structures, meaningful representations, or new mental models. Social interaction introduces multiple perspectives through reflection, collaboration, negotiation, and shared meaning. Learning is internally controlled and mediated by the learner.