How can you use constructivist learning theory to improve math education?

1 What is constructivism?

Constructivism is a learning theory that emphasizes the role of the learner in creating and modifying their own mental models of reality. Constructivists believe that learning is not a passive process of receiving information from a teacher or a textbook, but an active process of interacting with the environment and other people. Constructivists also recognize that learners have different prior knowledge, interests, and goals, and that they need to connect new information to their existing schemas and experiences. Therefore, constructivism supports a learner-centered, differentiated, and contextualized approach to math education.

2 How to design constructivist math activities

One of the key principles of constructivism is that learning is best achieved through authentic and meaningful tasks that challenge and motivate learners. Therefore, constructivist math activities should be based on real-world problems, scenarios, or questions that relate to the learners' lives and interests. For example, you can ask your students to measure the area and perimeter of their classroom, to plan a budget for a school trip, or to create a survey and analyze the data. Constructivist math activities should also allow for multiple solutions, methods, and representations, and encourage learners to justify and explain their reasoning.

3 How to implement constructivist math activities

Another important principle of constructivism is that learning is a social and collaborative process that involves dialogue, feedback, and negotiation. Therefore, constructivist math activities should provide opportunities for learners to work in groups, to share their ideas and strategies, and to learn from each other. You can use cooperative learning structures, such as think-pair-share, jigsaw, or numbered heads together, to facilitate peer interaction and cooperation. You can also use open-ended questions, such as "How did you solve this problem?", "What are some other ways to do it?", or "How can you check your answer?", to elicit and scaffold learners' thinking and communication.

4 How to assess constructivist math learning

A third essential principle of constructivism is that learning is a reflective and self-regulated process that involves metacognition, evaluation, and revision. Therefore, constructivist math assessment should focus on the process and the product of learning, and not only on the final outcome or the correct answer. Constructivist math assessment should also involve learners in setting their own goals, criteria, and standards, and in monitoring and improving their own performance. You can use portfolios, journals, rubrics, or self-assessment tools to help learners document and demonstrate their learning progress and achievements.

5 How to support constructivist math learning

As a teacher, your role in constructivist math learning is not to transmit knowledge or to provide direct instruction, but to facilitate, guide, and support learners' inquiry and discovery. You need to create a safe and supportive learning environment that fosters curiosity, creativity, and confidence. You also need to provide appropriate and timely feedback that helps learners identify their strengths and weaknesses, and that encourages them to seek help and resources when needed. You also need to model and promote positive attitudes and behaviors towards math, such as curiosity, perseverance, and appreciation.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?