Student autonomy and initiative are accepted and encouraged. Students initiate ideas and independent thinking is encouraged. Students who frame their own questions and then go about answering and analyzing them are taking responsibility for their own learning. They are engaged in experiences that challenge hypothesis and encourage discussion and are encouraged to make predictions and to change and vary hypothesis about phenomena. The constructivist teacher is sure that there is ample opportunity and material for the student to test hypothesis through concrete activities and group discussion.
Social discourse is encouraged between students and students and between the teacher and students.
The classroom is structured so that students feel comfortable to express ideas. Students are encouraged to look beyond simple factual responses. Higher level thinking is emphasized by analyzing, predicting, justifying and defending ideas. Open ended questions are asked and the students response may shape the study of the student. Students are involved in real world possibilities using data, manipulatives, physical and interactive materials that will foster their learning and help generalize concepts.