Main -> In the Classroom: Educational Psychology -> Constructivism taught constructively

Constructivism taught constructively. Hagan and Richmond (2009) conducted a study to assess whether teaching educational psychology students constructivism (i.e., individuals construct knowledge by incorporating  their experiences with new information  into previously learned concepts) in a constructive manner would affect the way students learned and viewed the teaching method. During a semester, 34 students were taught the theory of constructivism by experiencing a modeled constructivist lesson. Students were asked to create and perform a constructivist micro-lesson (e.g., teach math to first graders by using the manipulatives of counting candy), evaluate and critique micro-lessons, and write a reflection paper on the micro-lesson, as well as write a theory paper on the pros/cons of constructivist theory based on their personal experience. Students made significant pre-to-post gains (over 8 weeks) in their academic and self-reported knowledge of constructivist theory. Additionally, students reported that they enjoyed being taught constructively.

Hagan, L., & Richmond, A. S. (April, 2009). Teaching constructivism constructively. Paper presented at the Rocky Mountain Psychological Association annual conference, Albuquerque, NM.