Which learning theory emphasizes student-centered, problem-based learning and social interaction as drivers of knowledge construction in PT classrooms?

• A. Connectivism
• B. Constructivism (and social constructivism)
• C. Behaviorism
• D. Cognitivism

Answer: (B)

Constructivism, especially social constructivism, emphasizes that learners actively build knowledge by engaging with meaningful problems and by working with others. In a physical therapy classroom, this shows up as students taking charge of their learning through authentic, patient-care problems rather than just listening to lectures. Problem-based learning provides the real-world tasks that drive inquiry, requiring students to articulate what they know, identify gaps, propose and test approaches, and reflect on outcomes. The social aspect—collaboration with peers and guidance from instructors—helps negotiate meaning, offer different perspectives, and provide scaffolding as clinical reasoning becomes more complex. This combination of individual construction and social interaction leads to deeper understanding that aligns with how clinicians reason in practice. In contrast, behaviorism centers on reinforcement, cognitivism emphasizes internal mental processes without the same emphasis on social meaning-making, and connectivism focuses on learning through networks.