PMTA Reporting
Constructivist Approach
Constructivists view learning as an active process that results from self-constructed meanings. A meaningful
connection is established between prior knowledge and the present learning activity.
- The Constructivist Approach is a way of teaching and learning where students are encouraged to use
their prior knowledge and experiences to make sense of new concepts instead of just passively
receiving information from teachers.
-"students come to the classroom with prior understandings and experiences and to promote student
learning, teachers must address and build upon this prior knowledge." The constructivist approach is
anchored on this.
- In this approach, teachers help students use their existing knowledge to understand new things better,
making learning more interesting and easier to understand.
Instructional Characteristics
1. Teaching prioritizes facilitating experiences for students to construct their own understanding, rather
than just transmitting facts and concepts.
- They create or show situations where students can explore ideas and concepts on their own. They
guide the students to understand things by themselves rather than just telling them facts.
2. Constructivism is anchored on the assumption that "the absorption or assimilation of knowledge is
somewhat personal and therefore no two learners can build up the same meaning out of one situation."
- Since everyone has different experiences and backgrounds, each student will understand and interpret
information in their unique way. This means that learning is a very personal process.
3. Teachers act as facilitators, using dialogue and questioning to help students form and evolve their
understandings.
- Instead of acting as the main source of knowledge, teachers help students by asking questions and
encouraging discussion. This helps students think more deeply and develop their own ideas.
4. The instructional materials include learning activities and events rather than fixed documents (laws,
principles).
- Constructivist approach makes use of interactive activities and real life problem solving tasks where
students are encouraged to engage and think rather than just using textbooks.
5. Lessons are activity-centered in order for them to experience or gain personal knowledge through
active involvement.
- This could mean doing experiments, working on projects, or participating in group work. The goal is for
students to learn by doing and to gain knowledge through their experiences.
Suggestions on how the students can acquire meanings
1. Review or Recap- In introducing a lesson, find connection with the previous one through a review or
recount of observations done on a past learning activity.
- Before moving on to a new lesson, teachers do a recap so that students can better understand how the
new information fits with what they already know.
2. Inquiry Teaching- The teacher poses a problem, asks questions and facilitates free probe into a
particular subject.
- It's about encouraging curiosity and critical thinking, allowing students to dive deeper into subjects by
asking questions and seeking answers.
3. Reflection- Reflection is crucial for learners to process and evaluate their experiences, leading to new
insights. Teachers should allocate time for reflection after activities to ensure gained experiences
contribute to deeper understanding and conclusions.
- Remember every time we finish a lesson in Governance? We are asked to make a reflection. We do
this in order to reflect on what we learned, and our overall experience.
4. Learning Activities- Plan learning activities that will develop critical thinking skills, creativity and
innovativeness such as performing own experiments and in-depth investigations.
- As mentioned earlier, hands-on activities such as conducting experiments, creating art works,
participating in group works, can bring about our skills and creativity.
5. Work independently- Students must be encouraged to work independently. They must be allowed to
test their own ideas. Self-discovered information creates more meaningful concepts.
- When students work independently, they're more likely to develop a deeper understanding of the
subject matter and retain information.
Guidelines for its effective use
1. Encourage students to take their own initiative in undertaking a learning activity.
2. Respect and accept the student's own ideas.
