Think, Do, Reflect: Using Constructivism in Instructional Design

Whether you're brand new to the field or just looking for a refresher, today's episode will help you understand what constructivism is, how it's applied in instructional design, and how you can begin to incorporate it into your own practice. 

Constructivist Learning Theory transforms how we understand the learning process, positioning learners as active builders of knowledge rather than passive recipients of information. Whether you're new to instructional design or looking to refresh your theoretical foundation, this episode offers valuable insights into this powerful approach.

Share this episode with fellow instructional designers and let us know how you're implementing constructivist principles in your work. Together, we can create learning experiences that truly transform understanding.

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Constructivist Learning Theory Mind Map

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Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction to Constructivist Learning Theory
• 1:38 Core Principles of Constructivism
• 2:41 Practical Tips for Implementation
• 4:34 Real-World Application Example
• 5:35 Reflection Questions for Designers
• 6:35 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Transcript

Jackie Pelegrin: 0:01

Hello and welcome to the Designing with Love podcast. I am your host, Jackie Pelegrin, where my goal is to bring you information, tips, and tricks as an instructional designer. Hello, GCU students, alumni, and fellow educators, welcome to episode 62 of the Designing with Love podcast. Today, we're diving into one of the foundational theories in instructional design, which is constructivist learning theory. Whether you're brand new to the field or just looking for a refresher, today's episode will help you understand what constructivism is, how it's applied in instructional design, and how you can begin to incorporate it into your own practice. So grab a coffee, your notebook, and let's get started. Constructivist learning theory is based on the idea that learners construct their own understanding and knowledge of the world through experiences and reflecting on those experiences. Rather than passively receiving information, learners are active participants in their learning process. This theory has roots in the work of educational psychologists like Jean Piaget, Lev Vygotsky, and Jerome Bruner, who all emphasize the importance of social interaction, prior knowledge, and authentic context in learning. In a constructivist environment. Learning is not just about memorizing facts. It's about exploring, questioning, problem-solving, and meaning-making, often in collaboration with others. So, how is it used in instructional design? Instructional designers who follow a constructivist approach often create learning environments that do the following: Number one, encourage exploration and inquiry. Number two promotes collaborative learning and discussion. Number three, integrate real-world, authentic tasks. Number four allows learners to reflect on their own experiences. And number five builds upon learners' prior knowledge and experiences. Rather than designing instruction that strictly follows a linear path. Constructivist-inspired courses often involve open-ended problems, case-based learning, project-based learning, or problem-based learning, also known as PBL. You might also see scaffolding, known as supportive structures, provided early on, that gradually fade as learners become more competent.

Jackie Pelegrin: 2:34

If you want to start incorporating constructivist principles into your design work, here are a few practical tips. Tip number one start with a real-world problem Instead of giving learners all the answers up front. Pose a challenge or scenario they can explore. This hooks their curiosity and makes learning meaningful. Tip number two design activities for exploration, not just content delivery. Here you can give learners the tools and resources to explore concepts on their own or in small groups. Tip number three encourage collaboration. To help foster this, include opportunities for learners to share ideas, negotiate understanding and build knowledge socially, just like they would in real life. Tip number four use reflection activities. Have learners reflect on what they just learned, how they learned it and how they can apply it. This could be a journaling exercise, discussion board post or debrief session. Tip number five be a guide, not a lecturer.

Jackie Pelegrin: 3:45

Think of yourself or your course as a facilitator of learning rather than the sole source of knowledge. Let's say you're designing a training module for new project managers. Instead of delivering a long presentation about project management principles, you design a simulation where learners are placed in the role of a team lead managing a fictional project. They receive emails, budgets and schedules and must work through problems like team conflict, scope creep and stakeholder communication. Along the way they consult resources, collaborate with peers in discussion forums and reflect on the impact of their decisions. At the end, they present their lessons learned and how they'd handle things differently in the future. This is constructivism in action. Learners are actively constructing knowledge by doing, reflecting and connecting their experiences to theoretical principles.

Jackie Pelegrin: 4:44

Now that you've heard how constructivist learning theory can come to life in a real-world scenario, let's take a moment to reflect. Think about a course, training or learning experience you've recently designed or one you're currently working on. Then ask yourself the following questions when are opportunities for learners to actively explore, investigate or problem-solve? Are opportunities for learners to actively explore, investigate or problem solve? How can you incorporate real-world contexts or scenarios to make the learning more meaningful? Are there ways you can build in more collaboration or peer-to-peer learning? How are you encouraging reflection before, during or after the learning experience? What kind of support or scaffolding might learners need at the beginning that you can gradually remove as they gain confidence? Take a few minutes to jot down your answers. Sketch a redesign idea or brainstorm one constructivist element you could add to your next learning experience. Remember, even small shifts, like adding a reflection question, a discussion prompt or a scenario, can bring a constructivist touch to your design.

Jackie Pelegrin: 5:57

Constructivist learning theory reminds us that learning is not a passive act. It's deeply personal, social and rooted in experience. As an instructional designer, you have the power to create spaces where learners engage in meaningful, authentic and lasting learning experiences. And remember, you don't have to throw out all structure or content to embrace constructivism. Instead, you can layer in constructivist strategies like collaboration, reflection and problem solving to enrich your learning experiences.

Jackie Pelegrin: 6:33

If you found this episode helpful, please share it with someone who's on their own instructional design journey. Also, if you're looking for more resources or want to support the show, check out the links in the show notes. As I conclude, this episode I would like to share an inspiring quote by Jerome Bruner, one of the key figures the show notes. As I conclude this episode, I would like to share an inspiring quote by Jerome Bruner, one of the key figures behind this theory. The shrewd guess, the fertile hypothesis, the courageous leap to a tentative conclusion these are the most valuable coin of the thinker at work. Until next time, keep designing with love and intention. Until next time, keep designing with love and intention.