"The expasive cycle of an activity system begins with an almost exclusive
emphasis on internalization, on socializing and training the novices to
become competant members of the activity as it is routinely carried out.
Creative enternalization occurs first in the form of discrete individual
innovations. As the disruptions and contradictions of the activity become
more demanding, internalization increasingly takes the form of critical
self reflection - and externalization, a search for solutions increases.
Externalization reaches its peak when a new model for activity is designed
and implemented. As the new model stabilizes itself, internalization of
its inherant ways and means again becomes the dominant form of learning and
development."
pp.34
Davydov and Lektorsky also emphasized the double nature of
internalization/externalization. Lektorsky argued:
" I would like to stress that according to Vygotsky, human activity
presupposes not only the process of internalization (about which Leontiev
wrote) but also supposes externalization. Humans not only internalize
ready made standards and rules of activity but externalize themselves as
well creating new standards and rules".
Nate