Lev S. Vygotsky (1896 – 1934)

Abstract

This paper is written in a series of Prospect’s texts on most important educators. Therefore, the focus in this paper is on Vygotsky’s conception of education (learning). In case of Vygotsky, concept of the education is tightly linked to his general theory of mental development. Namely, his concept on development of higher mental function as sociogenesis of these functions imply formative role of socio-cultural factors, i.e. learning in a true sense. Consequently, Vygotsky’s main ideas on education are derived from his theory of higher mental function. In more specific approach Vygotsky sees the education (learning) and the school learning as one form of development, “an artificial development” (especially an acquisition of the system of scientific concepts). Such ideas of Vygotsky have major value at present for critical analyses of real process of school learning and its improvement.