Save the Best Learning Theory For Last

(Module 6A – Constructivist Theories)

GIF from giphy.com (Illustration of schema being constructed through accommodation)

I honestly think that deep down, all we students knew that constructivist approach to learning was the proper and best way to learn. However, it’s not our fault that we continue to practice rote learning. I would say that all the high schools I’ve been to in the Philippines so far do not facilitate learning but they only transmit knowledge from teacher to student. Only a handful of teachers discussed the lessons out of the book. With the educational system leaving teachers no choice but to practice rote teaching, we students also have no choice but to memorize our way through school to get good grades. I did however encounter a schoolmate in senior high school that had a good academic performance through his techniques that I now realize resembles the constructivist approach to learning. He told us that even if there are numerous terminologies and quizzes accompanying these terms, he does not memorize them. All he does is try to understand the concepts and purposes of the terms and it’s general significance in reality, and that’s that. He does not use the Quizlet app, make a list of terms, or even rehearse the terms to review them. He just focuses on completely comprehending the terms and lesson with their applications in reality, and he’s done.

Applying what I learned from module 6a, my schoolmate actively constructed his understanding of the lessons; hence, he deeply processed these into his memory. Thus, he then could easily retrieve these when there were quizzes or assessments. I think that this is an example of the “don’t study hard, study wise” line. My schoolmate studied wisely so on top of him being able to retain the lessons into his memory, he saved himself of time and stress. Unlike me and my classmates, we all usually used memorizing techniques just to remember the terms themselves. We did not see lessons as learning opportunities or mental growth, we saw them as barriers and challenges to getting a good and high grade. Hence, we constantly memorized and wasted our time in making our notes pretty, creating flashcards and rehearsed terms and facts that would easily evaporate from our minds as soon as the assessment were over.

As I read the module on Constructivist Theories, I know and understand the benefits of learning through generative and exploratory approaches only because of the mode of learning here in UPOU. I guess I can count myself as lucky since I was so blinded by the idea that good grades and facts retention that I forgot that it’s more about learning rather than good grades. That is the case until I started in UPOU. It was oddly relieving to know that I’m developing in a way that is deemed right by theorists and researchers. It makes me want to look up into this approach too. Maybe even try to make a guideline of instructional design entirely based on constructivist approaches and aims.

In conclusion, if one does use the constructivist learning approach, one can say:

GIF from giphy.com