Constructivism 
(the following are excerpts from a page that no longer exist at http://curriculum.calstatela.edu/faculty/psparks/theorists/501learn.htm)
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The Theorists

 

Jean  Piaget	Seymour  Papert	Jerome  Bruner	Lev  Vygotsky	John  Dewey

Constructivist learning is based on students' active participation in problem-solving and critical thinking regarding a learning activity which they find relevant and engaging. They are "constructing" their own knowledge by testing ideas and approaches based on their prior knowledge and experience, applying these to a new situation, and integrating the new knowledge gained with pre-existing intellectual constructs.

The student is pursuing a problem or activity by applying approaches he or she already knows and integrating those approaches with alternatives presented by other team members, research sources, or current experience. Through trial and error, the student then balances pre-existing views and approaches with new experiences to construct a new level of understanding.

Learning is then assessed through performance-based projects rather than through traditional paper and pencil testing.

The teacher is a facilitator or coach in the constructivist learning approach. The teacher guides the student, stimulating and provoking the student's critical thinking, analysis and synthesis throughout the learning process. The teacher is also a co-learner.