The impact of constructivism and social constructionism upon vocational psychology has often been through the use of the more generic “constructivism.” In this article constructivism is distinguished by its focus on how the individual cognitively engages in the construction of knowledge from social construction which claims that knowledge and meaning are historically and culturally constructed through social processes and action. The considerable ambiguity in the use of these terms is also discussed. Their contributions, challenges, and opportunities to the career field’s dominant discourses are examined: the dispositions discourse, the contextualizing discourse, the subjectivity and narrative discourse, and the process discourse. Broader challenges and opportunities for the field are also noted. The historical construction of knowledge, concern with language, action, and process problematize traditional understandings of career. They raise opportunities to question fundamental assumptions, focus on context, culture, the person–environment interaction, and practice.

Key words: constructivism, context, discourse, epistemology, historical construction, language, meaning, ontology, practice, social constructionism.

This research aimed to clarify 5 physics teachers’ constructing knowledge base for teaching regarding constructivism. The participants were 5 physics teachers who studying Master degree in science education in Khon Kaen University, Thailand. Three participants applied science, technology, and (STS) approach for developing their teaching regarding constructivism. Other 2 participants applied teaching strategies of Predict Observe Explain (POE). This qualitative research regarded interpretive paradigm for physics teachers’ constructing knowledge base for teaching regarding constructivism during applying STS approach and POE for 2 months of physics teaching. Research instruments include teachers’ lesson plan, observation, teachers’ journal writing, and interviewing. The study explicates such a knowledge base. It is demonstrated what kind of pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) originates from our cooperation with six participating teachers. The pathway of teachers’ constructing PCK will be discussed for provide information of enhancing physics teaching regarding constructivism. This study has implications for science teacher professional development.

Key words: pedagogical content knowledge, constructivism, sts, poe, and professional development.

This article reviews various definitions of constructivism, and discusses various approaches to constructivist pedagogy in schools. Constructivism is only one of the many ways students learn. Students learn from many different ways of teaching. Teachers use constructivist pedagogy to improve learning. However, the constructivist approach to learning and teaching, by itself, as a method of teaching, is unlikely to be effective. Major variables impacting on the quality of the learning process include social, cultural, economic and ideological dimensions. It is argued that the effectiveness of constructivist pedagogy is dependent on the quality of teachers, students’ characteristics and their SES, and school’s location. The article offers pre-service teachers with an insight as to why constructivist pedagogy is essential in supporting other approaches to learning and teaching. Suggestions are made on how to improve constructivist pedagogy, with a range of effective strategies for enhancing learning in the classroom.

Key words: achievement, constructivism, constructivist pedagogy, learning, metacognition.

This article analyses theorising of constructivism, and discusses various approaches to constructivist pedagogy in schools. There is a consensus in recent research that teachers use constructivist pedagogy to improve learning. It is argued that the effectiveness of constructivist pedagogy is dependent on the quality of teachers, students’ characteristics, and their SES, motivational strategies, and school’s location. However, constructivist approach to pedagogy by itself, as a method of learning and teaching, is unlikely to be effective, as there are other factors affecting the learning process. Major variables impacting on the quality of the learning process include cognitive, social and cultural, dimensions. The article offers some insights as to why constructivist pedagogy is essential in supporting other popular approaches to learning and teaching. Suggestions are made on how to improve constructivist pedagogy, with a range of effective strategies for enhancing learning in the classroom.

Key words: achievement, constructivism, constructivist pedagogy, learning, metacognition.

Using the theoretical tools offered through the writings of Pierre Bourdieu, this paper develops a critique of constructivism. Constructivism has assumed a dominance with the field of mathematics education but, as an epistemology, it ignores the social implications of the construction of meaning. It is argued that constructivism is a liberal discourse which valorises the individual construction of meaning. In doing this, the social and political contexts in which mathematical knowledge is located is ignored and the marginalisation of many social and cultural groups is legitimated.

This paper discusses different approaches in cognitive science and artificial intelligence research from the perspective of radical constructivism, addressing especially their relation to the biologically based theories of von Uexküll, Piaget as well as Maturana and Varela. In particular recent work in ‘New AI’ and adaptive robotics on situated and embodied intelligence is examined, and we discuss in detail the role of constructive processes as the basis of situatedness in both robots and living organisms.

Key words: adaptive robotics, artificial intelligence, embodied cognition, radical constructivism, situatedness

Context: Cognitive science, as an interdisciplinary research endeavour, poses challenges for teaching and learning insofar as the integration of various participating disciplines requires a reflective approach, considering and making explicit different epistemological attitudes and hidden assumptions and premises. Only few curricula in cognitive science face this integrative challenge. Problem: The lack of integrative activities might result from different challenges for people involved in truly interdisciplinary efforts, such as discussing issues on a conceptual level, negotiating colliding frameworks or sets of premises, asking profound questions challenging one’s own paradigm, and differences in terminologies, as well as from the “personal” challenge of realising one’s own limits of knowledge and, hence, the need to trust in another person’s expertise. This implies that the proposed curriculum structure provides an “epistemic laboratory”: a space for experiencing and negotiating, as well as constructing different viewpoints in a trustful setting. Approach: A newly-designed interdisciplinary cognitive science curriculum is presented that is based on a constructivist epistemology. We suggest that a careful construction of the learning space is a necessary requirement. The MEi:CogSci curriculum is designed and structured in such a way that enables didactical measures that allow for collaborative construction of meaning by discussing concepts, methods and terminologies and also hidden assumptions. Findings: The experience with four cohorts of students has shown that a truly interdisciplinary approach to cognitive science demands a different attitude towards knowledge as well as towards teaching and learning on both sides: the teacher and the student. The research orientation promotes an understanding of knowledge as something that is actively constructed, rendering the role of the teacher that of a co-learner rather than a transmitter of knowledge, thereby also changing the responsibility of students.

Key words: learning space, interdisciplinarity, cognitive science, curriculum design, epistemological reflection, teacher, constructivist pedagogy

This paper provides a brief overview of the constructivist learning theories and explains their significance in the design of the ESP digital learning environment. Constructivism provides a unique and challenging learning environment, and coupled with modern technology shows the potential for great advancement in learning practices. Together they provide the opportunity for new possibilities in the learning process. In other words, they allow ESP students to learn to their fullest potential. Complete understanding of ESP needs an increasing research input, including social interaction and intercultural communication competence. The purpose of ESP is to prepare a student (future specialist) to communicate effectively in the professional field and real-life situations. The ultimate goal is to become operational in any learning situation.

Key words: constructivist theories, esp, digital learning environment.