Vygotsky's Educational Theory in Cultural Context

by Alex Kozulin (Editor), Boris Gindis (Editor), Vladimir S. Ageyev (Editor), Suzanne M. Miller (Editor)

Overview

This 2003 book comprehensively covers all major topics of Vygotskian educational theory and its classroom applications. Particular attention is paid to the Vygotskian idea of child development as a consequence rather than premise of learning experiences. Such a reversal allows for new interpretations of the relationships between cognitive development and education at different junctions of the human life span. It also opens new perspectives on atypical development, learning disabilities, and assessment of children's learning potential. Classroom applications of Vygotskian theory are discussed in the book. Teacher training and the changing role of a teacher in a sociocultural classroom is discussed in addition to the issues of teaching and learning activities and peer interactions. Relevant research findings from the US, Western Europe, and Russia are brought together to clarify the possible new applications of Vygotskian ideas in different disciplinary areas.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781139931052
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	09/15/2003
Series:	Learning in Doing: Social, Cognitive and Computational Perspectives
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	3 MB

Table of Contents

List of contributors; Series Foreword; Introduction: sociocultural theory and education: students, teachers and knowledge Alex Kozulin, Boris Gindis, Vladimir S. Ageyev, and Suzanne M. Miller; Part I. Concepts and Paradigms: 1. Psychological tools and mediated learning Alex Kozulin; 2. The zone of proximal development in Vygotsky's analysis of learning and instruction Seth Chaiklin; 3. Vygotsky's doctrine of scientific concepts: its role for contemporary education Yuriy V. Karpov; 4. Some cognitive tools of literacy Kieran Egan and Natalia Gajdamaschko; 5. Dynamic assessment of the evolving cognitive functions in children Carol S. Lidz and Boris Gindis; Part II. Development and Learning: 6. Periods in child development: Vygotsky's perspective Holbrook Mahn; 7. Development through the lifespan: a neo-Vygotskian approach Yuriy V. Karpov; 8. Learning and development of preschool children from the Vygotskian perspective Elena Bodrova and Deborah J. Leong; 9. The learning activity in the first years of schooling: the developmental path towards reflection Galina Zuckerman; 10. Remediation though education: socio/cultural theory and children with special needs Boris Gindis; Part III. Sociocultural Theory Application in the Classroom: 11. Cultural-historical theory and mathematics education Jean Schmittau; 12. Socio/cultural theory and the practice of teaching historical concepts Jacques Haenen, Hubert Schrijuemakers, and Job Stufkens; 13. Formation of learning activity and theoretical thinking in science teaching Hartmut Giest and Joaclum Lompscher; 14. How literature discussion shapes thinking: ZPDs for teaching/learning habits of the heart and mind Suzanne M. Miller; 15. Beyond cognition: a Vygotskian perspective on emotionality and teachers' professional lives Anne DiPardo and Christine Potter; Part IV. Diverse Learners and Contexts of Education: 16. Interpersonal communication and internalization in the second language classroom James P. Lantolf; 17. Mediation in cognitive socialization: the influence of socioeconomic status Pedro R. Portes and Jennifer A. Vadeboncoeur; 18. Cultural modeling: CHAT as a lens for understanding instructional discourse based on African-American English discourse patterns Carol D. Lee; 19. The relations of learning and student social class: toward re-'socializing' sociocultural learning theory Carolyn P. Panofsky; 20. Vygotsky in the mirror of cultural interpretations Vladimir S. Agayev; Indexes.

Editorial Reviews

"Kozulin, Gindis, Ageyev, and Miller have masterfully brought together a series of papers that create a dynamic picture of the past, present, and future of Vygotsky's theories in various socio-cultural contexts...Clearly written and well organized...Does an excellent job of describing the nature of the socio-cultural approach to education as deeply philosphical and pragmatic at the same time." Journal of Cognitive Education and Psychology

"Perhaps the most comprehensive treatment of Vygotskian educational thought and practice currently available, this volume features an illustrious array of scholars from across the globe. Particularly enlightening is their explication of how Vygotsky's psychological theory can affect different school settings and situations. Highly recommended." Choice

"The contributing authors are to be commended for striking a balance between working toward a clarified, unified, and thus "authoritative" canonical version of Vygotskian ideas, on the one hand, and opening the theor to multiple influences and interpretations as it is applied to multiple settings and problems, on the other hand. They should also be praised for living up to the editors' claim to present all the major concepts of Vygotskian educational theory. For this coverage and clarification alone, the work is definitely a worthwhile addition to graduate courses as well as practicing researchers' libraries." Anthropology and Education Quarterly

"Very Comprehensive...A particular strength of the collection is the way that the authors combine theory with description and analysis of specific examples of educational design and practice...Will be of interest to readers concerned with the design and development of learning materials and environments in any context...Strongly recommended...A rich source to dip into for ideas and stimulation." British Journal of Educational Technology

From the Publisher