Contributions of Piagetian and post-Piagetian theories to education

The aim of this article was to reflect on the contributions of Piagetian and neo-Piagetian theories to education. Topics analyzed included the evolution of Piaget’s and co-workers’ theory, the reaction by the scientific community to the main theoretical and methodological aspects of each period of his work, the educational potentialities of methodological and theoretical aspects of his theory, the criticisms about the potentialities of Piagetian theory for grounding educational practice. Then the emergence of the neo-Piagetian theories was described, as well as their major aims and their educational potentialities. Finally some considerations concerning the strengths and weaknesses of Piagetian and neo-Piagetian theories were presented.

► The educational contributions of Piagetian and neo-Piagetian theories were analyzed. ► neo-Piagetian theories provide important knowledge regarding educational topics. ► However several weaknesses reduce their simplicity and explanatory power. ► Piaget’s epistemological theory is still a decisive reference to rethink education. ► However it is necessary to go beyond Piaget and to approach “educational subject”.