The constructivist learning theory suggests that students come to learning situations with prior knowledge. As they construct their understandings, they link new information with the knowledge they bring with them to learning experiences. See the TechTools Lesson Module Development page for more information. Students share what they know about the concept. Teachers connect previous knowledge to new concepts the learner will discover.
Teachers offer little or no explanation and direction.
The teacher acts as a facilitator of learning by encouraging, listening, observing, probing, redirecting, consulting. Explain Teachers facilitate student construction of formal labels, definitions, and explanations. Students are encouraged to listen to and evaluate the ideas of other students. Teachers then formally provide definitions, explanations and new labels. Students use the information gathered during exploration and use the terms they have defined to explain and describe the activity.