Which learning theory emphasizes building on prior knowledge and active learner engagement and is often used to design practical skills instruction?

• A. Constructivism
• B. Behaviorism
• C. Cognitivism
• D. Social Learning Theory

Answer: (A)

This item tests how learners actively build new understanding by connecting it to what they already know. That approach is constructivism. In constructivist design, knowledge isn’t just transmitted; learners bring prior experiences to a task, and through active engagement—exploring, solving real problems, discussing with others, and reflecting—they construct meaning. This makes it especially suitable for practical skills instruction, which benefits from authentic tasks, hands-on practice, and scaffolded challenges that require using existing knowledge as a foundation and adjusting it as new details are learned. While behaviorism emphasizes reinforcement of observable responses, cognitivism focuses on internal processing, and social learning highlights learning from others, constructivism centers on building knowledge through active, learner-driven construction rooted in prior understanding.