Constructivism is first a learning theory that focuses on understanding how to solve a problem. The theory makes use of individual preferences for environment and tasks while incorporating a holistic approach in learning, rather than breaking curriculum down in parts. Therefore an aspiring car mechanic might learn to change a transmission in a vehicle in a body shop by examining the transmission, figuring out the best tools to use and practicing different ways to remove the transmission.
In the classroom, the constructivist process will have a great deal of flexibility to cater to individual student suppositions. The teacher will works with students to identify goals and objectives while discussing problems that might arise in solving a particular problem. The curriculum will emphasis hands-on processes and real-world experience. Testing usually consists of performing the actual task at hand. Learning is controlled through reflection on what the student did right, and what the student did wrong, and why.
To use constructivism effectively, educators will incorporate interactive strategies into the learning process. The objective is to make the activities challenging according to the present knowledge of the students related to the subject. The constructivist approach emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach to help student pursue their individual interests, develop individual skills and create a foundation for lifelong learning.
The constructivist approach thus serves to shift the focus of learning from a teaching focus to a learning focus. It focuses on knowledge construction rather the simply reproduction. Using relevant tasks, the teacher will aim to engage learners in meaningful processes that help them effectively solve a problem. It helps students to extend beyond the content and apply the knowledge constructed to other situations. For example, a constructivist learner can apply the knowledge he constructed to change the transmission not only on a car, but on more complicated vehicles such as a bus or a tractor trailer. He can also apply some of that mechanical knowledge to solve problems with vehicles unrelated to the transmission problems.