Possibilities of using the expansive learning cycle in the teaching area: a systematic review of the literature

Abstract

We live in a globalized world in which education has been put to the test daily, and the type of teaching we should have to respond to so many challenges is a matter of debate, as the theory of expansive learning focuses on the learning processes in which the subject himself of learning is transformed from an isolated individual into collectives and networks, taking into account the historical-cultural issues involved, studies based on this theory have been very promising and can be outlined in different ways, in Brazil it has been known as the Expansive Learning Cycle. Therefore, this research aims to map the methodological designs that use the Expansive Learning Cycle in research in the area of ​​Teaching. To achieve this objective, a search for publications using the keywords “Expansive learning cycle” and “teaching” with their respective counterparts in English and Spanish. The review did not have a time frame as we were interested in finding the largest number of publications of this content up to the month of research, March 2024, so we found a total of 104 results using mentioned descriptors. The systematic literature review made it possible to identify gaps when it comes to the use of the expansive learning cycle in the teaching area. Based on the analysis results found, we realized that Change Laboratories are a very interesting possibility for Expansive Learning, as they occupy an intermediate position between macro cycles lasting many years and miniature cycles that can last a couple of hours. This type of theory, with its practical tools, seems to have great potential for the teaching area.