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Contrary to criticisms by some (conservative/traditional) educators,
constructivism does not dismiss the active role of the teacher
or the value of expert knowledge. Constructivism modifies that
role, so that teachers help students to construct knowledge rather
than to reproduce a series of facts. The constructivist teacher provides
tools such as problem-solving and inquiry-based learning activities
with which students formulate and test their ideas, draw conclusions
and inferences, and pool and convey their knowledge in a collaborative
learning environment. Constructivism transforms the student from
a passive recipient of information to an active participant in
the learning process. Always guided by the teacher, students construct
their knowledge actively rather than just mechanically ingesting
knowledge from the teacher or the textbook.

If learning is a constructive process, and instruction must be designed to provide opportunities for such construction, then what professional development practices can bring teachers to teach in student-centered ways?