The work emphasizes the need for accuracy in the terms used to describe the acquisition of knowledge, in order to achieve the best assessment of the learning process, with special weight on the notions of knowledge construction and knowledge. Then, the work addresses the notion of constructivism and the role of teaching institutions in the achievement of teaching and research goals. It argues that the teaching and learning processes fall under the responsibility of the school, while the scientific community is in charge of scientific production, but one procedure is not in opposition to the other. Instead, one procedure supplements the other, even though they are distinct in nature, each with its own characteristics. A teacher must seek excellence in teaching activities, while a researcher must attempt to achieve excellence in research activities. The author affirms that teaching is not restricted to the transmission of past knowledge, but it also entails a process that gives rise to observation and critical reflection capabilities. Good teaching, which should not be described as the gathering of information, but rather as the formation of references and the development of evaluation capabilities, is of fundamental importance to the scientific and technological production. The work goes on to show that proper methodology, originality, dedication and financial investment are all requirements of scientific research. The conclusion is that the learning process cannot be mistaken for the process of scientific production, but the former must, necessarily, precede the latter.
Knowledge construction; Constructivism; Teaching; Learning; Research