Constructivism

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A movement in art and philosophy that posits knowledge and meaning are actively formed by the mind while also championing geometric forms and modern materials for societal advancement
2. This philosophical and artistic theory suggests that individuals construct knowledge through their experiences, while promoting a style that incorporates geometric shapes and utilitarian materials to enhance social change
3. A theoretical framework in art and philosophy emphasizes that individuals actively shape their understanding of reality and meaning, while advocating for the use of geometric forms and modern materials to foster societal progress

Etymology: Constructivism is a plain compound: "constructive" with the suffix "-ism" added to it. "Constructive" comes from the Latin "constructivus", built from "construere", meaning "to pile up" or "to build together". The suffix "-ism" comes through Greek "-ismos", a noun-forming ending that turns a word into the name of a doctrine, practice or movement. The "-ism" element traces back through Ancient Greek "-ismos" and "-izein", the same pairing that gave English words for systems of belief. Adding it to "constructive" turned an adjective describing building or positive action into the name of a whole outlook. Its meaning therefore rests on the idea of building, and the ending marks it as a named system of thought rather than a single act.

Synonyms: theory of knowledge, learning theory, educational philosophy, constructivist theory, active learning