Constructivist teaching places more emphasis on sensory input, something that has long been overlooked by many traditional educators. In the days of old, students were expected to sit through lectures, take notes and take tests. While some of that still occurs in classrooms, more and more educators are learning that students need to be fully involved in the learning process, using all of their senses, not just their eyes and ears. Learners aren’t just passive participants in the classroom; they need to be actively involved in “the bigger picture” of the world around them.
The constructivist teaching method has been used in special education settings for some time. It is quite effective for those students who have special needs like sensory processing disorder or those on the Autistic spectrum. Some of these students have brilliant minds, but simply can't be reached through traditional methods. Rather than simply doling out information, a teacher is more of a guide for a learning journey and actively participates in the learning process with the students as well as encouraging them to challenge ideas.