Which educational philosophy supports the idea that learners construct their own knowledge?

Constructivism is an educational philosophy that emphasizes the idea that learners actively construct their own understanding and knowledge of the world, through experiencing things and reflecting on those experiences. According to this philosophy, learners are not passive recipients of information; rather, they engage with the material, ask questions, and discover solutions, which leads to deeper learning.

Constructivist educators believe that each learner's prior knowledge and experiences play a crucial role in how they construct new knowledge. This approach encourages collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving, fostering an environment where students can develop their own interpretations and meanings. Such active participation facilitates a deeper understanding and retention of the subject matter.

In contrast, the other educational philosophies focus more on transmission of knowledge or adherence to established norms. Behaviorism, for example, centers on observable behaviors and the idea that learning is a change in behavior due to conditioning, rather than individual knowledge construction. Perennialism emphasizes enduring ideas and classic knowledge that should be taught in a specific way, and Reconstructionism advocates for addressing social issues through education rather than focusing on the knowledge creation process itself.