Excerpt: The development of a constructivist theory of knowing has been the focus of my interest for several decades. It was a philosophical interest that arose originally out of work concerning first the structure and semantics of several languages and later cognitive psychology. The title of this chapter, therefore, may need an explanation. Rosalind Driver, Reinders Duit, Heinrich Bauersfeld, and Paul Cobb, can speak about teaching from their own immediate experience, whereas I have never taught any of the subjects that you are experts in. So when I focus on the theory of constructivism, you may wonder why on earth a proponent of such a very peculiar theory of knowing should have anything to say about education in mathematics or science. It is a question I have often asked myself. If all goes well, you will see some justification at the end of my essay.

Key words: radical constructivism, education

Key words: radical constructivism, philosophy, mathematics

Key words: radical constructivism, education

Key words: education, communication

Key words: history, philosophy, radical constructivism

Key words: radical constructivism, education

Key words: mathematics, education

This book gives a definitive theoretical account of radical constcuctivism., a theory of knowing that provides a pragmatic approach to questions about reality, truth, language and human understanding, The chapter are: (1) “Growing up Constructivist: Languages and Thoughtful People,” (2) “Unpopular Philosophical Ideas: A History in Quotations,” (3) “Piaget’s Constructivist Theory of Knowing,” (4) “The Construction of Concepts,” (5) “Reflection and Abstraction,” (6) “Constructing Agents: The Self and Others,” (7) “On Language, Meaning, and Communication,” (8) “The Cybernetic Connection,” (9) “Units, Plurality and Number,” and (10) “To Encourage Students” Conceptual Constructing."

Key words: philosophy, radical constructivism, cognition, communication

Excerpt: In short, understanding is something all of us have to build up for ourselves. In this respect, understanding is not unlike a physical skill. For instance, if beginners stand on skis for the first time, it is quite useless to tell them what they should do to go down a slope. They have two unwieldy contraptions strapped to their feet, that make them lose their balance at the least provocation. They are paralyzed and quite unable to do anything. This state is similar to the state students get into when they are faced with arithmetical symbols for the first time (and the paralysis immobilizes them again when they have to face algebra)

Key words: philosophy, cognition, education, experience

Chez l’institut TERC (Teacher Education Research Center) nous sommes en train d’éxaminer les possibilités de la discussion électronique dans la communauté des enseignants en science. Le projet “LABNET” facilite le dialogue sur les méthodes d’enseignement dans un cadre de 500 enseignants de physique. Nous présentons un exemple de conversation électronique qui démontre la naissance d’une nouvelle idée comme résultat de la réflexion immédiate stimulée par ce moyen de communication. English: At the TERC Institute (Teacher Education Research Center) we are in the process of investigating the possibilities of electronic discussion in th commuinity of science teachers. The LABNET project facilitates dialogue on teaching methods among a group of 500 physics teachers. As an example, we are here presenting the birth of a new idea that resulted from the kind of immediate reflection that is enhanced by this means of communication.

Key words: science, communication