Traditional models focus on teachers as being the sole providers of instruction.
The CLM argues that the aquistion of knowledge requires active participation. Students should observe and question topics that are of interest to them and then investigate those topics to construct their own understanding. By working in small groups, students share, critique, and defend their understandings. My cooperating teachers encourage students to bring in information on the topic of study or read the sections in the book and give the class a summary. This meets the needs of students who would prefer just to read or research information.