I found the following interesting - a summary of constructivism ...
(from: http://hagar.up.ac.za/catts/learner/lindavr/lindapg1.htm)
- emphasises learning and not teaching
- encourages and accepts learner autonomy and initiative
- sees learners as creatures of will and purpose
- thinks of learning as a process
- encourages learner inquiry
- acknowledges the critical role of experience in learning
- nurtures learners natural curiosity
- takes the learner's mental model into account
- emphasises performance and understanding when assessing learning
- bases itself on the principles of the cognitive theory
- makes extensive use of cognitive terminology such as predict, create and analyze
- considers how the student learns
- encourages learners to engage in dialogue with other students and the teacher
- supports co-operative learning
- involves learners in real world situations
- emphasises the context in which learning takes place
- considers the beliefs and attitudes of the learner
- provides learnersthe opportunity to construct new knowledge and understanding from authentic experience