What key process does constructivism focus on to acquire knowledge?

Constructivism emphasizes that knowledge is acquired through experiences and interactions with the environment. This learning theory posits that individuals construct their own understanding and knowledge of the world through experiences, reflection, and collaboration with others. By engaging actively with their surroundings, learners can build meaningful connections and insights rather than passively absorbing information.

In a constructivist approach, learning is seen as a dynamic process where learners engage with materials, ideas, and people, leading to deeper understanding and personal relevance. This method encourages students to explore, ask questions, and apply what they learn in real-world contexts, thus fostering a more profound and lasting grasp of concepts.

The other options do not align with the core principles of constructivism. Memorization, for instance, focuses on retention of information without the deeper connection that constructivism advocates. Rewarding behavior aligns more with behaviorist approaches, which are fundamentally different from the constructivist perspective. Similarly, while hierarchical knowledge structures can organize information effectively, they do not embody the experiential learning elements that constructivism prioritizes.