Critical Constructivism

 

Critical constructivism is an extension and adaptation of the constructivist perspective, which rejects the idea of an objective, neutral viewpoint. Instead, it believes that everything is an interpretation and nothing is entirely objective. Critical constructivism combines constructivist ideas with critical epistemology from the Frankfurt School. It promotes critical thinking in research, recognizing that knowledge is shaped by cultural, historical, and social contexts.

 

According to critical constructivism, knowledge is not universal but is influenced by the time, place, and culture in which it is created. It emphasizes that our perspectives on the world, ourselves, and others are constructed through a dialogue involving culture, institutions, and historical contexts. Critical constructivists explore how socio-historic dynamics shape the subject of study and how knowledge is founded in a specific context.

 

Drawing inspiration from scholars like Joe Kincheloe and Paulo Freire's critical pedagogy, critical constructivism aims to foster personal and social awareness. It encourages people to question authoritarian tendencies and understand the connection between knowledge and power. The theory suggests that powerful groups control knowledge and continuously undermine alternative perspectives, contributing to systems of class, race, cultural, and gender oppression.

 

Critical constructivism challenges mainstream teaching and research practices that may unknowingly perpetuate oppressive systems. It promotes reflexivity and critical self-reflection, aiming to open up conversations and encourage questions. Critical constructivism has influenced various critical theories, such as postcolonial, decolonial, and feminist perspectives. It encourages the questioning of dominant systems of knowledge production and supports dialogue aimed at promoting critical awareness.

Following Freire's ideas, critical constructivists emphasize that knowledge is not something like money that you deposit in a bank and withdraw when needed. Instead, everyone constructs knowledge in their minds, and their thinking is shaped by the society they live in. However, some societies' knowledge is considered more important than others.

 

Critical constructivism is a way of actively looking for different perspectives and new ways of thinking. It also aims to bring attention to knowledge that has been overlooked or marginalized. In doing so, critical constructivism aims to reveal assumptions of privilege in existing knowledge, question how mainstream knowledge is produced, and explore non-Western ways of understanding. The goal is to include knowledge that has been previously excluded or marginalized in the broader conversation.