70: Vygotsky and the Zone of Proximal Development Lev Vygotsky was a Russia psychologist who worked in the early part of the 20th century before he died at 38. Many educators who adopt methods that are commonly called constructivist ground their pedagogy in ideas he developed. One that is particularly useful in designing all curriculum Read More
Category: Learning
Continuing to Think About Theory in Education
A theme that recurs in my blog and in my other writing is the importance of theory in education and educational planning. I maintain the position that theory is a vital part of teaching and learning and leadership because it helps us understand exactly what matters in what we do. We can focus on relevant Read More
The Teenage Brain
Jensen, F. E. (2016). Teenage Brain, The: A Neuroscientist’s Survival Guide to Raising Adolescents and Young Adults. Harper Paperbacks. Educators have a seemingly endless series of books informing their practice; each year we have a small library full of how-to manuals, philosophical treatises, and utopian (or dystopian) visions of schools from which to select our Read More
Brief Review of iBrain
Between 2008 and 2011, I wrote several brief reviews of books which appeared on the Education Review web site. Since then, the editors ceased publication of that type of review and removed the previously published brief reviews from the site. I am making the original drafts of my reviews available here. By Dr. Gary L. Ackerman, June Read More
Review of Brain and Culture
Between 2008 and 2011, I wrote several brief reviews of books which appeared on the Education Review web site. Since then, the editors ceased publication of that type of review and removed the previously published brief reviews from the site. I am making the original drafts of my reviews available here. Wexler, B. (2008). Brain and Culture: Read More
Review of The Shallows
Between 2008 and 2011, I wrote several brief reviews of books which appeared on the Education Review web site. Since then, the editors ceased publication of that type of review and removed the previously published brief reviews from the site. I am making the original drafts of my reviews available here. Brief Review of Carr, Read More
Review of Wisdom
Between 2008 and 2011, I wrote several brief reviews of books which appeared on the Education Review web site. Since then, the editors ceased publication of that type of review and removed the previously published brief reviews from the site. I am making the original drafts of my reviews available here. This appeared in January 2011. Hall, Read More
On Creativity
I am rereading much of my library to make decisions about which books to keep and which need to find another home before I move again. Several titles on my shelves focus on creativity. This refers, of course, to that aspect of human cognition that allows new ideas to be created. In Nancy Anreasen’s 2005 Read More
Brain Plasticity & Learning to Walk
Until recently, it was assumed that once a brain was mature (at the end of adolescence) it was an unchanging organ. Cognitive scientists have found that the human brain is actually quite plastic—cognitive functions that were assigned to one neural pathway can be reassigned to a different neural pathway. Early in life (through early adolescence) Read More
Review of Rewired
Between 2008 and 2011, I wrote several brief reviews of books which appeared on the Education Review web site. Since then, the editors ceased publication of that type of review and removed the previously published brief reviews from the site. I am making the original drafts of my reviews available here. Rosen, Larry. (2010). Rewired: Understanding the Read More