Who is a key theorist associated with constructivism?

Jean Piaget is recognized as a pivotal figure in the development of constructivist theory. His work focused on understanding how children acquire knowledge and construct their understanding of the world through experiences and interactions. Piaget proposed that learning is an active process where learners create meaning based on their previous knowledge and experiences, which aligns closely with the principles of constructivism.

His stages of cognitive development illustrate how children move through distinct phases, each characterized by different ways of thinking and understanding the world. This emphasizes the idea that learners should be actively engaged in their learning processes, constructing knowledge through exploration and problem-solving rather than passively receiving information. Piaget's emphasis on the importance of individual cognitive processes in learning makes him a central figure in constructivist thought.