An Evolving Understanding

From a constructivists' viewpoint, a learner's environment alone cannot create knowledge.  On the same token, the constructivist believes that a learner cannot learn apart from his/her environment.  "It is the specific interaction between these two variables that creates knowledge" (Ertmer & Newby, 1993, p. 63).  In addition, a learner's understanding of a certain word or idea is ever-evolving based on past and present experiences.
Take, for example, the idea of a mother.  My understanding of a mother was formed primarily from my experiences with my own mother.  I would assume that the majority of those who grew up with a mother have drawn their first understanding of the word in a similar manner.  However, there are many people who do not grow up around their own mother.  Whatever the circumstances, their initial understanding of a mother must have been undoubtably different than my own.
Thirteen months ago I became a mother myself.  Once again, my understanding of a mother changed and I can only assume that if I am blessed with more children my understanding will continue to evolve.

Ertmer, P. & Newby, T. (1993). Behaviorism, Cognitivism, Constructivism: Comparing Critical Features from an Instructional Design Perspective. Performance Quarterly, 6(4), p. 50-72.