Learning by Expanding: An Activity-Theoretical Approach to Developmental Research

by Yrjö Engeström

First published in 1987, Learning by Expanding challenges traditional theories that consider learning a process of acquisition and reorganization of cognitive structures within the closed boundaries of specific tasks or problems. Yrjö Engeström argues that this type of learning increasingly fails to meet the challenges of complex social change and fails to create novel artifacts and ways of life. In response, he presents an innovative theory of expansive learning activity, offering a foundation for understanding and designing learning as a transformation of human activities and organizations. The second edition of this seminal text features a substantive new introduction that illustrates the development and implementation of Engeström's theory since its inception.

Genres: Psychology

338 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1987

Reviews

[Truls Ljungström · Rating 4 out of 5]

En mycket genomarbetad bok som, till dess heder, arbetar utifrån sitt eget pedagogiska koncept. Det en i princip gör, är att kodifiera om och förena Hegels och Vygotskijs idéer om syntesen som kvalitativt annorlunda till något som är begripligt, och kanske replikerbart. Den gör detta via Bateson, på ett sätt som säger till mig att jag måste läsa om Steps som minst, och kanske annat också.

Jag är glad att jag blev rekommenderad den.

[Helene Uppin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now I'd like to chat a little with Yrjö. Not about the book, but about life in general. The way he connects seemingly random stuff to explain his reasoning is inspirational and kind a gist of his story too - learning by expanding is an endeavour for the curious and reflective only.

The book is not an easy read. But worth it, if cultural-historical activity theory (CHAT is a nice acronym) is your "thing". Also, there are some subtle hints of finno ugric breathing underneath the nice english frasing (picked them up because of my own native language) - and I'm not sure whether it made reading easier or harder...