Ask AI: Describe the common main principles on which constructivism of prominent theorists of the 1930s is based.

Constructivism is a theory spearheaded by prominent theorists in the early 20th century, particularly in the 1930s like Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky. The key principles underlying this educational philosophy broadly include: 1. Knowledge Construction: Constructivism asserts that learning is an active process where learners construct new ideas or concepts based on their current/past knowledge. The learner selects the information and creates hypotheses on a mental level. Knowledge, thus, is not passed from the teacher to the learner, but is actively constructed. 2. Learner-centred approach: Constructivism places the learner at the centre of learning. It emphasizes that learning should be personalized, and that learners should actively participate in creating their understanding and knowledge. 3. Prior Knowledge: Constructivism underscores the need to consider prior knowledge of learners. It posits that learning occurs when a learner interacts with new information and integrates it with what they already know. 4. Social and Cultural Factors: Some constructivist theorists, particularly Vygotsky, highlighted the importance of sociocultural context in learning. He expressed that learning is a culturally situated, collaborative process, where social interaction plays a crucial role. 5. Problem-Solving and Authentic Learning: Constructivism promotes problem-solving and critical thinking skills as a key part of learning. Learners are encouraged to explore authentic problems and manipulate objects to find solutions. 6. Meta-cognition: Finally, constructivism promotes the idea of meta-cognition - thinking about thinking. It encourages learners to gain awareness and understanding of their own thought processes, providing them with skills to control their own learning.