Which theory states that learning is an active construction of knowledge through interactions with the physical world and others?

• A. Mechanistic Theory
• B. Inductive logic
• C. Developmental Interaction Approach / Bank Street
• D. Concrete stage of cognitive development

Answer: (C)

Learning as an active construction through hands-on interaction with the world and with others is a hallmark of the Developmental Interaction Approach (Bank Street). In this view, children learn by doing—exploring real materials, testing ideas, and solving problems—while also talking with peers and adults to negotiate meaning. The teacher acts as a facilitator, designing authentic experiences and posing guiding questions that help connect new experiences to what the child already understands. This social, world-centered, hands-on process makes learning meaningful and durable because the learner builds knowledge through concrete activity and collaboration. The other options don’t capture this combined emphasis: Mechanistic Theory centers on stimuli and reinforcement rather than active meaning-making; inductive logic is a reasoning method rather than a full teaching approach; the Concrete stage of cognitive development describes a developmental period rather than a classroom approach that foregrounds social interaction and real-world exploration.