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Understanding and Using Educational Theories
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Understanding and Using Educational Theories

Third Edition


May 2022 | 408 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd

This textbook gives readers a clear overview of a selection of 19 of the most influential thinkers on education, including established names (Vygotsky, Bruner, Dewey), more recent thinkers (Freire, hooks, Claxton) and other key names whose writing has helped shaped our views on teaching and learning. 

Each chapter includes practical examples showing how theories can be used to inform classroom teaching, and critiques of each theorist exploring opposing viewpoints and the strengths and weaknesses of different ideas.

This third edition includes:

  • New chapters on Barak Rosenshine and Daniel Goleman
  • Revamped reflective tasks with a greater practical focus for the classroom
  • More models and theoretical diagrams throughout

This is an essential primer for any university course that includes learning theory, with particular relevance for initial teacher education, education studies and early childhood degrees.

Karl Aubrey has recently retired from his post at Bishop Grosseteste University.

Alison Riley is the Programme Leader for the BA Early Childhood Studies at Bishop Grosseteste University.


 
John Dewey: A Democratic Notion of Learning
 
Maria Montessori: Liberating the Child
 
Jean Piaget: Understanding the Mind of the Child
 
Lev Vygotsky: An Early Social Constructivist Viewpoint
 
B.F. Skinner: The Father of Operant Conditioning
 
Benjamin Bloom: Learning Through Taxonomies
 
Malcolm S. Knowles: Contextualising Adult Learning
 
Jerome Bruner: An Evolution of Learning Theories
 
Albert Bandura: Learning Through Observation
 
Urie Bronfenbrenner: The Ecology of Human Development
 
Paulo Freire: Oppression, Freedom and Critical Approaches to Education
 
Donald Schön: Reflection and Learning
 
David Kolb: Experiential Learning Theory
 
Jean Lave and Etienne Wenger: Socially Situated Learning and Communities of Practice
 
Barak Rosenshine: Principles of Instruction
 
Daniel Goleman: Emotional Intelligence
 
Guy Claxton: Learning Power
 
Dylan Wiliam: Assessment for Learning
 
Carol Dweck: Mindsets and Motivation

Very comprehensive key text on educational theories and their application to practice. Well-structured, clearly written and accessible to both undergraduates and postgraduates. A really key text.

Mr David Ingledew
Education, Hertfordshire University
November 28, 2023

Recommended reading for any learner in teaching and training as an easy reference source, classroom aid and support to session prep.

Mr Donald Moyse
Command Training, Sussex Police
June 1, 2023

This is the go to book for many new students to the PGCE (PCET) who have come from a non-education background- providing them with the relevant underpinning information that supports their teaching practice.

Mr Julian Ayres
School of Education and Community, Wrexham Glyndwr University
June 26, 2023

This is an essential book for at least 2 of our modules that deal with how children learn. The descriptions of the theories and applications as shown in the book make it ideal for our course.

Mr Tarisai Chikomba
Dept of Teacher Education (Chelmsford), Anglia Ruskin University
March 25, 2024

An excellent reference book, well organised into theorists for even greater clarity. Easily accessible for students and clearly written, allowing for application of theory into practice. I will be recommending this for my students - just what I was looking for.

Mrs Gabrielle Morley
Education, Blackburn College
August 4, 2022

Clear and succinct, a balanced and objective introduction to key theorists.

Mr Paul Brooks
Cardiff School of Education Cyncoed, Cardiff Metropolitan University
July 6, 2022

This is such a great reference tool, either for the tutor before each session or for students at any time to dig a little deeper into a theory mentioned in study. loads of references and links rot further reading...if required.

Mr Donald Moyse
Command Training, Sussex Police
May 30, 2022

The depth that each key thinker is covered in is helpful as an springboard text for trainees on the PGCE. Key chapters have been signposted to in the reading list.

Miss Chloe Hindmarsh
Division of Education and Humanities, Sheffield Hallam University
November 22, 2022

This book provides a clear overview of learning theory in an easy to understand format for students across our Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses. The underlying principles in relation to learning theory pedagogy form a thread throughout the text and offers some balances perspectives that are useful for the critical approach we would like our trainee teachers to adopt. I have recommended this text to our library services to add this to the reading list for our PGCE secondary cohort which is approximately 150 students and to our online distance learning and international PGCE.

Miss Karen Williams
Arts, Creative Industries and Education, University of The West of England
July 25, 2022

Simple introduction to educational theory. easy to read and understand to build on knowledge.

Ms Marsha louise Evans
Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences, Birmingham City University
May 27, 2022

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