Does a critical constructivist learning environment encourage a deeper approach to learning? Asia Pacific Educational Researcher

This research showed that a critical constructivist learning environment could be successfully implemented in two Economics secondary classrooms of Hong Kong Chinese students. Students in the higher ability class reported changing to meaning-oriented learning motivation and strategies compared to those in the lower ability class or a control class. Awareness of the nature of the new learning environment was related to this shift to a deeper level approach in learning. It has long been recognised that meaningful learning strategies (sometimes referred to as a deep approach to learning) are necessary if high quality learning outcomes are to be achieved (Ausubel