What is the primary focus of Jerome Bruner's constructivist theory of learning?

Jerome Bruner's constructivist theory emphasizes that learning is an active process in which learners construct their own understanding and knowledge of the world, through experiencing things and reflecting on those experiences. This theory posits that individuals do not passively absorb information; rather, they engage with content, make connections, ask questions, and solve problems to create their own knowledge framework.

Bruner suggests that learners build on prior knowledge and translate new information into their existing knowledge, thus making learning meaningful and personalized. This active engagement is essential as it encourages higher-order thinking skills, such as analysis, evaluation, and application, which are crucial for deeper understanding and retention of information.

This focus on active learning makes it clear that the process involves significant involvement from the learner, contradicting notions that learning can be achieved through mere memorization or passive reception of information. It also diffuses the idea that learning is solely a social interaction, highlighting the importance of individual cognitive processes in conjunction with social elements in learning environments.