Knowledge Transmission (Teacher-Centric) vs. Knowledge Construction (Learner-Centric) PE 5 Odisha B.Ed & Education Honours

Knowledge Transmission (Teacher-Centric) vs. Knowledge Construction (Learner-Centric)

Introduction

Education today stands at the crossroads of two contrasting pedagogical paradigms:

Knowledge Transmission (Teacher-Centric)

Knowledge Construction (Learner-Centric)

Understanding these two concepts is essential for teachers, curriculum developers, and education policy makers. While knowledge transmission focuses on a top-down approach, where the teacher is the provider of information, knowledge construction emphasizes active participation by learners in building their own understanding. This shift in perspective is crucial in the context of modern pedagogy that values inclusivity, engagement, and critical thinking.

I. Knowledge Transmission: Teacher-Centric Approach

A. Concept and Definition

Knowledge transmission is a traditional model of teaching where the teacher is seen as the sole authority and source of knowledge, and students are passive recipients. The process is one-way – from teacher to student.

It is often called the "Banking Model" (as described by Paulo Freire), where teachers deposit information into students’ minds.

B. Key Features

Feature	Description
Teacher’s Role	Primary source of information, instructor, authority figure
Learner’s Role	Passive listener, receiver of facts
Methodology	Lecture, dictation, rote learning, drills
Curriculum	Fixed, pre-determined, textbook-driven
Assessment	Focused on memorization and recall
Knowledge View	Objective, pre-existing, transferable from teacher to student

C. Educational Philosophies Behind It

Essentialism: Emphasizes teaching of core academic knowledge and values.

Perennialism: Promotes timeless truths and structured curriculum.

Behaviorism: Learning is a result of conditioning through stimulus-response.

D. Advantages

• Suitable for large classrooms.
• Useful for transmitting factual knowledge quickly.
• Maintains teacher control and discipline.
• Efficient for examination-oriented learning.

E. Limitations

Promotes rote memorization over understanding.

Neglects critical thinking and creativity.

Little or no scope for individual differences.

Students may become disengaged and dependent learners.

II. Knowledge Construction: Learner-Centric Approach

A. Concept and Definition

Knowledge construction is based on the idea that learners are active participants in their own learning. They construct knowledge through interaction with their environment, peers, and teacher. This approach is rooted in constructivist theories of learning.

Learning is viewed not as acquiring facts, but as making meaning from experience.

B. Key Features

Feature	Description
Teacher’s Role	Facilitator, guide, co-learner
Learner’s Role	Active participant, thinker, collaborator
Methodology	Projects, discussions, exploration, discovery learning
Curriculum	Flexible, experiential, contextual
Assessment	Process-oriented, performance-based, self-assessment
Knowledge View	Subjective, dynamic, socially and culturally constructed

C. Educational Philosophies Behind It

Progressivism: Emphasizes learning by doing and relevance to students' lives.

Constructivism: Knowledge is actively built by the learner.

Humanism: Focus on personal growth and learner autonomy.

D. Major Contributors

Theorist	Contribution
Jean Piaget	Cognitive constructivism – Learning through active mental construction
Lev Vygotsky	Social constructivism – Role of social interaction and culture
John Dewey	Learning through experience and problem-solving
Jerome Bruner	Discovery learning, spiral curriculum

E. Advantages

• Promotes deep understanding and critical thinking.
• Encourages creativity, problem-solving, and self-learning.
• Respects individual differences and learning styles.
• Builds confidence and social skills

F. Limitations

Time-consuming and complex to manage.

Requires well-trained teachers.

Difficult to assess with standardized tests.

Not always effective for foundational factual learning.

III. Comparison Table: Transmission vs. Construction

Aspect	Knowledge Transmission	Knowledge Construction
Teaching Focus	Delivering content	Facilitating learning
Teacher’s Role	Authority, instructor	Guide, facilitator
Learner’s Role	Passive recipient	Active participant
Learning Approach	Receptive	Experiential and inquiry-based
Curriculum	Fixed and uniform	Flexible and adaptable
Assessment	Memory-based exams	Performance-based tasks
Learning View	Reproduction of facts	Construction of meaning
Interaction	Minimal (one-way)	High (peer and teacher dialogue)
Knowledge Nature	Objective and static	Subjective and dynamic

IV. Real Classroom Examples

A. Transmission Example (Science Class – Traditional)

Teacher explains the parts of a plant with a diagram on the board.

Students copy the diagram and definitions.

End of lesson assessment is a quiz on naming parts of the plant.

B. Construction Example (Science Class – Constructivist)

Students go outside to observe different plants.

They take notes, draw diagrams, and discuss differences.

Teacher guides discussion, and students present findings.

Assessment includes presentation, observation journal, and peer review.

V. Role of Technology in Both Approaches

Mode	Use of Technology
Transmission	PowerPoint lectures, recorded videos, LMS for notes
Construction	Simulations, educational games, collaborative tools (Padlet, Google Docs), inquiry-based platforms

VI. Role in Inclusive Education

Transmission may overlook the needs of diverse learners.

Construction promotes inclusive practices like group work, differentiated instruction, and learner agency.

VII. Balanced Pedagogical Approach

While knowledge construction is encouraged in modern classrooms, a balanced approach is necessary.

Balanced Model (Blended Learning):

Use transmission for introducing new topics and core facts.

Use construction for higher-order thinking, application, and exploration.

Conclusion

In summary, knowledge transmission and knowledge construction represent two distinct approaches to education. The former emphasizes structured delivery of knowledge by the teacher, while the latter empowers learners to explore, analyze, and build their own understanding. With the changing demands of 21st-century education—creativity, collaboration, critical thinking—the focus is shifting toward learner-centric pedagogies. However, the best educational practices combine elements of both, ensuring a holistic, inclusive, and effective learning environment.