Uses of Constructivist approach in assessment

 Uses of Constructivist Approach in Assessment

Meaning of knowledge construction/Constructivism

Constructivism is a theory in education that explains how people acquire knowledge.  Basically according to this theory people when they encounter a new problem / situation they try to solve it and discover the consequences of their actions by reflecting on their existing knowledge which is constructed by personal experiences. This new assimilated knowledge is fit into the existing cognitive structure as a result of which the cognitive structure gets modified.

Constructivism is

an approach to learning that holds that people actively construct or make their own knowledge and that reality is determined by the experiences of the learner (Elliot et al., 2000,p.256).

Putting it in other words learning is nothing but the process of constructing one's knowledge. Knowledge is not viewed as some sort of a true copy of the features of the world outside but the process of construction of the individual.

Constructivist theory Vs. Behaviourist theory

Accoring to behavirourist theory learning is nothing but expressing appropriate behaviour in response to the information received from the environment where as in Constructivist theory learning is nothing but the knowledge acquired through one's own experience. In the teaching-learning process, the teacher plays an active role and provides appropriative learning experiences to students while students remain passive and students receive knowledge from the teacher, the outcome of which is getting expressed in the form of student behaviour according to Behaviourist theory.  In the constructivist theory, the teaching-learning environment is entirely different where the teacher and student share the authority and the teacher will not be pouring the contents of subject in the class.

Features of a classroom based on the Constructivist Theory

The basic characteristics of a constructivist classroom environment are : 

1. Facilitate students to critically examine any new information they receive by raising questions and trying to get answers for the same.
2. Allow for collaborative learning to find solution to problems.
3. The teacher will play the role of a facilitator / guide.
4. Learning groups will consist of small number of hetrogeneous students.

Principles of Constructivistm

It could be stated that the following are the principles of constructivism:

1. Learning is an active process.
2. The learner's uses his/her prior knowledge to make sense of any information he/she receives.
3. The learner takes responsibility for his/her learning

Constructivism and Assessment

Constructivists believe that

1. Assessment is tool to be used for improving both the student's learning and the teacher's understanding of his student.
2. Assessment is a formative process rather than a summative process
3. Its purpose is to improve the quality of student learning and not to provide evidence for evaluating or grading students.
4. It is an ongoing process along with learning.

Tools and methods used in the Constructivist Assessment

In the assessment of student learning that follows the constructivist approach, the teacher uses only those methods which allow for engaging students in verbal conversaions like discussion,debate,story telling,dramatization etc., and judging their level of learning achievement by oberving their performance in the learning activities. Besides observation the teacher could also use tools such as 'student portfolio','investigatory projects','checklists' 'written' and performance tests of achievement for assessing students' learning proficiency.

Role of teacher in Constructivist Assessment

1. The teacher often facilitates the student to think and respond to the open-end questions posted in the class.

2. Teacher will give more importance for students' higher order thinking and logical reasoning.

3. Teacher will ensure adequate oppurtunities to students to interact with him as well as among themselves.

4. Will stimulate students inquiry related to every concept taught in the class.

5. Teacher will give importance for student's learning based on problem-solving.