Theory of Expansive Learning

Learning Something that is not yet there

Aylar Fallah Vazirabad

University of Limerick

2014

Title

The Theory of Expansive Learning formulated in 1987 and has been used in a wide variety of studies and interventions. Builds on foundation ideas put forward by Vygotsky, Leont'ev, II'enkov and Davy' Dov ( Key figures in Russian School of Cultural-historical Creativity Theory).

Expansive Theory studies 6 categories:

1. Transformation of Objects
2. Movement in the Zone of Development
3. Cycles of Learning Action
4. Boundary Crossing and Network Building
5. Distributed Learning & Contradictions
6. Formative Interventions
Tackles with issues such as :

  • 1. Contested Objects 
  • 2. Subjectivity
  • 3. Personal Senses
  • 4. Emotions
  • 5. Embodiment
  • 6. Identity




Is learning primarily a process that transmits and preserves culture or a process that transforms and creates culture? 


• Is learning primarily a process of vertical improvement along some uniform scales of competence or horizontal movement,
exchange and hybridization between different cultural contexts and standards of competence?


• Is learning primarily a process of acquiring and creating empirical knowledge and concepts or a process that leads to the
formation of theoretical knowledge and concepts?

1. Leont'ev (1981): Subject-producing activity and traditional science is essentially an instrument-producing activity ( ENgestrom, 1987)
2. Vygotsky's concept of the Zone of Proximal development ( 1978): Distance between actual developmental level in Individual Zone and with guidance toward subject-producing activity. 
3. Activity Theory and 'Contradictions', II'enkov ( 1977): Transformation make the object a moving, motivating and future generating.  Motives can not be taught. They are in the object to be transformed and expanded. Developing actual vital relations.


True Passion
Galaxy asks a promise to visit stellar remnants in this gloomy night:
to invite the sun around,
Get lost in whispers of brightness over coffees and not say goodbye.


QUEEN OF BEAUTY IS GLOSSY BUT GAUDY WITHOUT US,
AS FLOWERS MUST STILL BE DEAD THROUGH DEVOTION OF LOVE.
THE SKILLED THOUGHT IS WAITING IN THE WINGS
GRISLY SECONDS CHASING THE FUTURE

FASTER AND FASTER THE WISH'S NAKED SOUL IS PALPITATING

TIRED RUNNERS TEAR DARK SHADOWS
AND THE RED FIRES IN PRINCE HEART DANCES.
THEY ARE ALL REVVED UP TO DANCE, DRINK COFFEE, AND RUN AND ENJOY

HOW IT COULD FEEL IF FLOWERS NEVER RESIST AND ME AND YOU BE ONE IN STELLAR REMNANTS.


  • THE POEM DESCRIBES AND SUPPORTS THE REAL BEAUTY, CREATIVITY AND GOOD WISHES AND THAT ALL HUMAN BEINGS NEED TO BE A BIG COMMUNITY OF HELPERS TO SUPPORT IT AND HAVE A PASSION FOR IT . GALAXY HERE MEANS UNKNOWN. 

How we will design a future classroom?
 Will we read books?
How technology make changes to our learning setting, environments and tools?
Are we going to adapt to other systems or we will be culturally oriented?
Costumer-intelligent language learning and SLA? Why? How?Market-based Development
& Alternative models of Service Production






“Boundary crossing entails stepping into unfamiliar domains. It is essentially a creative endeavor which requires new
conceptual resources. In this sense, boundary crossing involves collective concept formation.” (Engeström et al., 1995,
p. 333)
'Acquisition metaphor' and ' Participation metaphor'.
New demands and changes

Future of Languages and SLA

Coding System?
New Languages will arrive?
Specialized Languages based on technology?
New Languages to describe new ' contexts', no books? What is the name of it?
Teaching for not the purpose of learning the same elements?


Thank you for your consideration!


Email: Aylar.vazirabad@ul.ie

Any Questions?

Theory of Expansive Learning

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