What is the Difference Between Constructivism and Cognitivism?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Constructivism and cognitivism are two learning theories that are related to each other, yet have unique characteristics. The main differences between them are:
- Focus of Learning: Constructivism emphasizes student-centered learning and the role of the student in constructing their own understanding of the world through interactions and reflection. In contrast, cognitivism focuses on understanding the cognitive processes that underlie human cognition, such as memory, attention, and problem-solving.
- Learning Process: Constructivism views learning as an active, constructive process in which students build their knowledge through experiences and interactions. Cognitivism, on the other hand, is about building on prior knowledge and involves the internal processing of information.
- Role of the Learner: In constructivism, learners are encouraged to discover things on their own, making it a self-directed learning process. In cognitivism, learners use their previous knowledge to understand, while their minds try to make connections with external factors and internal knowledge.
- Teaching Approaches: Constructivism shifts the focus of learning from the teacher to the students, allowing them to bring their unique experiences and perspectives to the classroom. Cognitivism, however, is more focused on the cognitive processes and strategies that can be employed to improve learning, such as review quizzes, learning outcomes, and graphic organizers.
In summary, while both constructivism and cognitivism are learning theories that aim to explain how individuals learn, they differ in their focus, learning process, role of the learner, and teaching approaches. Constructivism emphasizes student-centered learning and building knowledge through experiences, while cognitivism focuses on the cognitive processes and building on prior knowledge.
Comparative Table: Constructivism vs Cognitivism
Here is a table comparing the differences between constructivism and cognitivism:
| Feature | Constructivism | Cognitivism |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Constructivism is a learning theory suggesting that learners actively construct knowledge through their experiences and interactions. | Cognitivism is a learning theory that emphasizes the role of internal mental processes in understanding and interpreting information. |
| Focus | Constructivism focuses on the active involvement of the learner in building new knowledge based on their prior knowledge and experiences. | Cognitivism focuses on how learners use their pre-existing knowledge and mental processes to build new knowledge and understanding. |
| Learning Process | Constructivist learning involves students using their prior knowledge and experiences to construct new knowledge and understanding. | Cognitivist learning involves students building on their existing knowledge to make new connections and understand complex concepts. |
| Teaching Approach | Constructivism encourages self-directed learning, with students actively participating in discussions, debates, and sharing knowledge with peers. | Cognitivism emphasizes activities that require higher-level thinking, such as problem-solving, reasoning, and organizing information. |
| Role of Emotions | Constructivism acknowledges the role of emotions and personal experiences in the learning process. | Cognitivism primarily focuses on the intellectual aspects of learning, without considering emotional factors. |
Both constructivism and cognitivism are learning theories that help educators understand how students learn and adapt to new information. While they share some similarities, they also have distinct differences in their approach to learning and the role of prior knowledge in the learning process.
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