Constructivist approach knowledge construction – UGC NET Question

Constructivist approaches view learning as an active process in which learners build new knowledge on the foundation of their existing ideas and experiences. Knowledge is not simply transmitted; it is constructed through interaction with the environment, tasks and social discourse. Teachers in this perspective design activities that require learners to explore, question and make meaning. Therefore, the approach described in the stem is the constructivist approach.

Option A:
Behaviourist approaches emphasize observable behaviour changes brought about by stimuli and reinforcement, often downplaying internal mental construction. While they can explain some aspects of learning, they do not focus on learners actively constructing knowledge structures. Thus, behaviourism is not the approach referred to in the question.

Option B:
Traditional lecture approaches typically align with a transmission model where the teacher delivers information and students receive it passively. There is limited emphasis on learners restructuring their own understanding through activity. Consequently, this option does not capture the active, constructive role assigned to learners in the stem.

Option C:
Constructivist approach holds that learners integrate new information with prior knowledge through active engagement. Activities like experiments, discussions and projects allow them to test and refine their ideas. Since the stem explicitly mentions active construction of knowledge through interaction and prior ideas, this option correctly names the approach.

Option D:
Authoritarian approaches stress strict control, obedience and unilateral decisions by the teacher. They tend to restrict learner autonomy and dialogue, which are important for knowledge construction in constructivism. Thus, authoritarian teaching contradicts the philosophy described in the question.