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Essential Learning Theories & Frameworks in IDT: Constructivism

Constructivism

Suggests learners construct their own understanding and knowledge through experiences.

Prominent theorists include Lev Vygotsky and Jean Piaget.

Constructivism: Resources

Evans, R. I., & Piaget, J. (1973). Jean Piaget, the man and his ideas (E. Duckworth, Tran.; First edition.). E.P. Dutton.

Flavell, J. H. (1963). The developmental psychology of Jean Piaget. Van Nostrand.

Piaget, J. (1971). Structuralism. Harper & Row.

Vygotskiĭ, L. S., & Cole, M. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Harvard University Press.

Bell, R. (2020). Adapting to constructivist approaches to entrepreneurship education in the Chinese classroom. Studies in Higher Education, 45(8), 1694–1710. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2019.1655724

Carey, S., Zaitchik, D., & Bascandziev, I. (2015). Theories of development: In dialog with Jean Piaget. Developmental Review, 38, 36–54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dr.2015.07.003

Cho, H., Jeong, H., Yu, J., Lee, J., & Jung, H. J. (2024). Becoming a doctor: Using social constructivism and situated learning to understand the clinical clerkship experiences of undergraduate medical students. BMC Medical Education, 24, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-05113-x

Larison, K. D. (2022). On beyond constructivism: Using intersubjective approaches to promote learning in the science classroom. Science & Education, 31(1), 213–239. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11191-021-00237-8

Mattar, J. (2018). Constructivism and connectivism in education technology: Active, situated, authentic, experiential, and anchored learning. Revista Iberoamericana De Educación a Distancia, 21(2), 201-217. https://doi.org/10.5944/ried.21.2.20055

Pelech, J. (2021). Student-centered research : Blending constructivism with action research. (1st ed.). Information Age Publishing, Incorporated.

Pruitt, R. (2017). Chapter 7: Constructionist approaches online and face-to-face: The essential role of trust. Curriculum & Teaching Dialogue, 19(1/2), 105–127.

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