Dialogic Inquiry
Towards a Socio-cultural Practice and Theory of Education
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Cambridge University Press
Published:28th Aug '99
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
This book presents Vygotsky's social constructivist approach to education, focusing on collaborative knowledge construction in classroom settings.
In Dialogic Inquiry, the author explores Vygotsky's innovative perspective on education, emphasizing a social constructivist approach. Through a series of illustrative examples drawn from classroom studies, the text highlights the dynamic interactions between teachers and students. This exploration not only enriches our understanding of educational practices but also serves as a valuable resource for sociolinguistics, psychology, and educational research.
The book delves into the ongoing debates in educational reform, contrasting progressive, child-centered methods with more traditional, teacher-directed curricula. Vygotsky's theory emerges as a compelling alternative, advocating for the co-construction of knowledge where learners of varying maturity levels engage collaboratively. Semiotic mediation is presented as a crucial tool, enabling less experienced participants to navigate everyday challenges by leveraging societal resources.
By incorporating comparative analyses of Vygotsky's theories alongside the works of linguist M. A. K. Halliday, Dialogic Inquiry offers a comprehensive view of educational philosophies. It aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice, making it an invaluable asset for educators, sociolinguists, psychologists, and researchers alike. The insights presented in this volume promise to influence future educational methodologies and encourage a deeper understanding of the learning process.
"An important contribution. . . . Dialogic Inquiry is a challenging book to read, both because it raises serious questions about many of the assumptions underlying cognitive science and because it tackles difficult theoretical questions without avoiding their complexity. . . Wells has demonstrated. . . that the sociocultural perspective has a great deal to offer our understanding of thinking, knowing, language and learning." Contemporary Psychology
ISBN: 9780521637251
Dimensions: 229mm x 154mm x 23mm
Weight: 540g
392 pages