Educational Psychology—Limitations and Possibilities

Lev Vygotsky 245
accordingly to create a connection between their cultural foundations of knowledge and their
school-based experiences.
Despite the time that has elapsed since we first read Vygotsky’s thoughts, his influence on the
way we look at knowledge and learning are monumental. His impact in the present day is best
described in the words of his daughter Gita: “Even though so many years have passed, Vygotsky’s
thoughts, ideas, and works not only belong to history, but they still interest people. In one of his
articles, A. Leontiev wrote of Vygotsky as a man decades ahead of his time. Probably that is why
that he is for us not a historic figure but a living contemporary” (Vygodskaya, 2001).
And so, almost a century later, Vygotsky continues to influence the field of educational
psychology. His theories aid in our understanding of how children and adults learn, and, in
our understanding of these theories, we are able to apply various strategies and tactics within
educational settings. It is through his works and guidance that we can continue to socially construct
knowledge, respond reflectively, think critically and thus become lifelong learners.
REFERENCES
Gallagher, C. (1999, May). Lev Semonovich Vygotsky. Psychology Department, Muskingum College.
Retrieved March 2, 2005, from http://www.muskingum.edu/∼psych/psycweb/history/vygotsky.htm.
Goldfarb, M. E. (2001, March 12). The Educational Theory of Lev Semenovich Vygotsky (1896–1934).
NewFoundations.com (G. K. Clabaugh and E.G. Rozycki, Eds.). Retrieved March 5, 2005, from
http://www.newfoundations.com/GALLERY/Vygotsky.html.
Hansen-Reid, M. (2001). Lev Semonovich Vygotsky. Massey University Virtual Faculty (A. J. Lock,
Ed.), Department of Psychology, Massey University, New Zealand. Retrieved March 2, 2005, from
http://evolution.massey.ac.nz/assign2/MHR/indexvyg.html (a site cataloguing resources on Lev Semenovich
Vygotsky inaugurated for the centenary of Vygotsky’s birth by providing a Web conference
on various aspects of Vygotsky’s collected works. Academic papers and other resources on
Vygotsky are continually added.).
Schütz, R. (2004, December 5). Vygotsky and Language Acquisition. English Made in Brazil. Retrieved
March 5, 2005, from http://www.sk.com.br/sk-vygot.html.
Vygodskaya, G. (2001, December). His Life. The Vygotsky Project. Retrieved March 3, 2005, from
http://webpages.charter.net/schmolze1/vygotsky/gita.html.