The New Social Studies

The New Social Studies

Author: Barbara Slater Stern

Publisher: IAP

Published: 2009-11-01

Total Pages: 522

ISBN-13: 1617352853

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This volume, The New Social Studies: People, Projects and Perspectives is not an attempt to be the comprehensive book on the era. Given the sheer number of projects that task would be impossible. However, the current lack of knowledge about the politics, people and projects of the NSS is unfortunate as it often appears that new scholars are reinventing the wheel due to their lack of knowledge about the history of the social studies field. The goal of this book then, is to sample the projects and individuals involved with the New Social Studies (NSS) in an attempt to provide an understanding of what came before and to suggest guidance to those concerned with social studies reform in the future—especially in light of the standardization of curriculum and assessment currently underway in many states. The authors who contributed to this project were recruited with several goals in mind including a broad range of ages, interests and experiences with the NSS from participants during the NSS era through new, young scholars who had never heard much about the NSS. As many of the authors remind us in their chapters, much has been written, of the failure of the NSS. However, in every chapter of this book, the authors also point out the remnants of the projects that remain.


The False Promises of Constructivist Theories of Learning

The False Promises of Constructivist Theories of Learning

Author: C. A. Bowers

Publisher: Peter Lang

Published: 2005

Total Pages: 176

ISBN-13: 9780820478845

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In The False Promises of Constructivist Theories of Learning: A Global and Ecological Critique, C. A. Bowers examines why constructivist-based educational reforms fail to take into account these current critical issues: the deepening ecological crisis, globalization, and undermining of the world's diverse cultural commons. Special attention is given to the ethnocentrism and Social Darwinism that created the foundations for the ideas of Dewey, Piaget, and Freire. Also considered is how the neo-liberal promoters of economic globalization share their taken-for-granted assumptions. Additionally, Bowers explains how teachers in different cultures can contribute to the revitalization of their cultural and environmental commons without engaging in the cultural imperialism that characterizes constructivist approaches to educational reform.


A Journey in Search of Wholeness and Meaning

A Journey in Search of Wholeness and Meaning

Author: Rupert Clive Collister

Publisher: Peter Lang

Published: 2010

Total Pages: 252

ISBN-13: 9783034304900

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This book explores the concept that the reality which is created by the consciousness inherent in the Western worldview is exceptionally limiting and probably unsustainable. After describing the contexts within which the book was written the author documents his personal journey in search of wholeness and meaning. From his experience of this journey he suggests that the wisdom, insight, and praxis contained within - what he describes as the meta-narratives of - Holism, Indigenous cultures, and Eastern traditions are manifestations of a holistic consciousness. The author explores the concept that a shift to such a holistic consciousness is required in order to redress the imbalance that is evident in all humanity's relationships, and he suggests that enabling such a shift in consciousness would have deep implications for the concepts and contexts of community, adult learning, meaningful work, and sustainability.


Contemporary Debates in Childhood Education and Development

Contemporary Debates in Childhood Education and Development

Author: Sebastian Suggate

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2012-06-14

Total Pages: 354

ISBN-13: 1136295666

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What are the risks and benefits of non-parental care for young children? What are the short- and long-term effects of academically vs. play-focused environments for learning? How and when should we teach reading? What are the purposes of Education? What is the best way to teach mathematics to children, from preschool and beyond? Contemporary Debates in Childhood Education and Development is a unique resource and reference work that brings together leading international researchers and thinkers, with divergent points of view, to discuss contemporary problems and questions in childhood education and developmental psychology. Through an innovative format whereby leading scholars each offer their own constructive take on the issue in hand, this book aims to inform readers of both sides of a variety of topics and in the process encourage constructive communication and fresh approaches. Spanning a broad spectrum of issues, this book covers: Phonic and whole language reading approaches The developmental effect of non-parental childcare The value of pre-school academic skill acquisition The most effective methods of teaching mathematics Standardized assessment – does it work? The role of electronic media and technology The pedagogical value of homework The value of parents’ reading to children. This book combines breadth of vision with cutting edge research and is a ‘must have’ resource for researchers, students and policy makers in the fields of education and child development.


Manifesting the Primal Imagination

Manifesting the Primal Imagination

Author: Joshua D. Settles

Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers

Published: 2024-09-26

Total Pages: 240

ISBN-13: 1666798819

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Manifesting the Primal Imagination explores a little known, but important, aspect of Black American Christianity—the primal spirituality of the Black Pentecostal and spiritual church. Set against the backdrop of a Christianity believed by many to be synonymous with White Western culture, Manifesting the Primal Imagination demonstrates how this image of Christianity came to be, and how it is false, through a historical and scriptural examination of Christianity itself. At a time in which the nature of Christian faith is hotly contested, with many rejecting Christianity on the basis of its historical association with White supremacist claims, Settles advocates for a rereading of the history of Black American faith in a way that recognizes the importance of the primal imagination to Christianity itself.


The Vital Question

The Vital Question

Author: Nick Lane

Publisher:

Published: 2016

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781781250372

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A game-changing book on the origins of life, called the most important scientific discovery 'since the Copernican revolution' in The Observer.


The Handbook of Sustainability Literacy

The Handbook of Sustainability Literacy

Author: Arran Stibbe

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2009-09-01

Total Pages: 325

ISBN-13: 1907448659

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A vital resource for sustainability educators, learners and decision-makers on how we can build a more sustainable future. In this ground-breaking book, leading sustainability educators are joined by permaculturists, literary critics, ecologists, artists, journalists, engineers, mathematicians and philosophers in a deep reflection on the skills that people need to survive and thrive in the challenging conditions of the 21st century. Responding to the threats of climate change, peak oil, resource depletion, economic uncertainty and energy insecurity demands the utmost in creativity, ingenuity and new ways of thinking to reinvent self and society. Among the many skills, attributes and values described in The Handbook of Sustainability Literacy are values reflection, coping with complexity, permaculture design, transition skills, advertising awareness, effortless action, and ecological intelligence, each accompanied by ideas for active learning exercises to help develop the skill. Far from being a rigid or definitive statement of the one right way however, the handbook is exploratory, aiming to open up new, unthought-of paths, possibilities and choices. With contributors including John Naish, Satish Kumar, Patrick Whitefield, John Blewitt, Stephan Harding and Stephen Sterling, this is intended for educators, learners and anyone else interested in the vital issue of the skills we need to survive and thrive in the 21st century and build a more sustainable future.