Airasian & Walsh (1997) state that constructivism is an epistemology, a philosophical explanation about the nature of knowledge.” They emphasize that constructivism is not an instructional method but rather it “describes how one attains, develops, and uses cognitive processes (p. 445). The authors, Airasian & Walsh, would say that Bart was transferred from a behavioral environment to one in which students were able to construct their own knowledge. They would also note that the teacher’s role was one of a facilitator which guided students learning experience. Each student was able to explore and create at their own leisure.
This is very much an example of constructivism. Further it shows the difference between education based on behaviorism and constructivism. (Even the first principal's name was Skinner!). Students were able to construct their own knowledge through the series of activities provided by the teacher.
I am a HUGE fan of constructivism. I love to watch students create meaning out of an experience. That is the kind of knowledge that sticks! I believe constructing one’s own knowledge empowers an individual. Allowing students to be in charge of their own learning can result in self-affirmation and encourage students to continue to learn.
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