Knowledge Retention And Constructivism: How To Create Learning That Sticks
Knowledge retention is essential when designing an eLearning course. Imagine going through all the trouble and long hours of creating a course only for learners to forget its takeaways a few days after completing it. Therefore, it is important to use techniques to ensure that the content you create is memorable and thus easily recalled when learners need it in the future. To accomplish this, you can base your eLearning design on the cognitivism learning theory, which supports learners in retaining new information through active engagement, personal experiences, and critical thinking. In this article, we will explore the relationship between knowledge retention and constructivism and suggest strategies to enhance its effectiveness.
What Is The Constructivism Theory About?
The core idea of constructivism is that learning is an active process during which participants construct knowledge based on their experiences. Initially, constructivism emerged as a branch of cognitivism by psychologists Jean Piaget and William Perry and was referred to as “cognitive constructivism.” Later, more aspects were added to the theory, further distinguishing it from cognitivism. For instance, Vygotsky added the concept of social constructivism, highlighting the significance of social interactions in learning. Meanwhile, Ernst von Glasersfeld proposed radical constructivism, which suggests that learning is influenced by the individual’s personal experiences and perspectives.
Currently, the influence of constructivism can be seen in various learning approaches, such as inquiry-based learning, project-based learning, collaborative learning, and many more. This is a direct result of the realization that learners have unique learning needs and are more likely to achieve effective knowledge acquisition when they are actively involved in the learning process.
Equipped with this knowledge about constructivism, we can now look into some strategies you can use to enhance long-term knowledge retention based on the principles of this learning theory.
5 Strategies To Enhance Long-Term Knowledge Retention With Constructivism
1. Hands-On Learning
The learning theory of constructivism posits that knowledge is built through experiences. And what better way to create meaningful and impactful learning experiences for your audience than incorporating hands-on activities? It is one thing to hear and read about a concept and a different experience altogether to see it in action and engage with it directly. For example, imagine you want to help your sales team improve their on-the-floor services. You will get much better results by using role-playing exercises and simulations than simply discussing different customer personas and issues that could arise with each of them.
2. Collaborative Learning
An aspect of cognitivism that previous learning theories didn’t highlight enough is the social nature of learning. Collaborative environments where numerous learners interact provide numerous benefits. The participants’ diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives create an excellent breeding ground for idea exchange, innovation, and creative thinking. Leverage this constructivism-based strategy to help learners improve their long-term knowledge retention by incorporating into your learning courses activities such as group discussions, peer tutoring, and collaborative projects. These techniques enable learners to gain a deeper understanding of the topic at hand by analyzing it with their peers, expressing their thoughts, and discovering new perspectives.
3. Problem-Based Learning
An important aspect of the constructivist learning theory is its emphasis on critical thinking. It encourages learners to delve deeply into the subject matter, strive for innovation, and come up with solutions to problems, often without relying on a tutor or instructor. This approach describes problem-based learning, in which participants learn about a subject by grouping to tackle open-ended problems. Such activities empower learners to involve themselves actively with the learning content and apply the knowledge they gain in real-life situations. The more scenarios and authentic problems they solve, the more they recognize the real-life relevance of the educational content, which in turn enhances knowledge retention.
4. Use Technology To Enhance Constructivist Learning
It may seem that many of the activities we have described are better suited for in-person learning environments. However, with the advanced tools that are available to tutors and instructors nowadays, they can easily be adjusted for online learning. For example, you can enable collaboration among online learners by using video conferencing tools, forums, co-authoring tools to facilitate working on the same docs, and more. Additionally, advanced learning platforms provide access to immersive virtual simulations that perfectly recreate real-life situations. As a result, learners in all educational settings can learn at their own pace, experiment in realistic scenarios, and retain information more effectively.
5. Inquiry-Based Learning
The final strategy you can use to promote long-term knowledge retention through constructivism is to encourage learning through inquiry. This technique can be particularly useful during problem solving, although it can also be used when exploring new topics in general. Inquiry-based learning urges learners to closely examine a topic through questioning and investigating, which contrasts with the traditional method of memorizing information. Developing these skills is vital for learners, preparing them for a lifetime of learning and equipping them with the ability to view information critically, conduct research, and draw data-based conclusions.
Conclusion
Long-term knowledge retention is vital for learners, and constructivism can be a valuable tool for instructors to enhance it. By emphasizing learner experiences and hands-on engagement, this learning theory helps learners absorb information quicker, implement new knowledge in real-life situations, and retain it more effectively. Use the strategies we described in this article to help learners gain a deeper understanding of any topic that interests them and equip them with the skills they need to keep up with a rapidly changing educational and business environment.
