What philosophy of education emphasizes that reality is constructed by individuals through their experiences?

The philosophy of education that emphasizes that reality is constructed by individuals through their experiences is constructivism. This approach posits that learning is an active, contextualized process of constructing knowledge rather than acquiring it passively. In constructivism, students are seen as active participants in their learning journey, where their prior experiences and interactions with the world shape their understanding and knowledge.

Constructivists believe that individuals build their own understanding of reality based on prior experiences, reflections, and social interactions. This philosophy encourages hands-on learning, collaborative projects, and critical thinking, allowing learners to explore concepts deeply and apply them to real-life situations. The focus is on the learner’s unique perspective and experience, supporting the idea that knowledge is subjective and varies from one individual to another.

This stands in contrast to other philosophies such as perennialism, which focuses on enduring ideas and universal truths; reconstructivism, which advocates for social change and critiques current societal structures; and pragmatism, which emphasizes practical consequences and real-world applications rather than the learning process itself. Each of those philosophies presents a different understanding of knowledge and learning, making constructivism distinct in its focus on individual experience as central to education.