The Society That Learns (Constructionism and Lifelong Learning in Thailand)

How Thai farmers, teachers, and workers created new approaches to lifelong learning through constructionism—and transformed communities across the country as a result.

The educational philosophy of constructionism holds that learning works best when it comes from creating things in the world and generating change on a personal, community, and even societal level. In The Society That Learns, Paulo Blikstein and Deborah Fields analyze one of the longest-running community development and educational projects in the world—the 30-year adoption of constructionism by Thai communities for the well-being of their nation. The richly documented collection of case studies in this book shows how the Thai Constructionist community applied this philosophy in transforming agricultural practices, educational methods, economic development in villages, and industrial and business processes.

Drawing from diverse learning approaches such as Seymour Papert’s constructionism, Paulo Freire’s culturally relevant and critical pedagogy, and innovative Thai contributions, the book emphasizes the importance of learning as a unifying principle that leads to change on a personal, community, and societal level. As the authors show, when learners at the margins of society are equipped with the skills and agency to succeed, they can create solutions outside of formal schooling that respond to their communities’ needs. This book showcases how the Thai Constructionist community modeled the power of learning as an inherently human force that, once unleashed, empowers people to transform their lives and the lives of others.