Sense Publishers
Creativity for 21st century skills; how to embed creativity into the curriculum.
Piirto (educational leadership, Ashland U.) has published literary and scholarly books as well as poetry and creative nonfiction. She claims that the creative process as described in educational and industrial psychology is replete with strategies that have never been used by any artist or educator she knows. Here, she presents an original theory of creativity training and describes its practical applications. The theory involves five core attitudes: naiveté, risk-taking, self-discipline, tolerance for ambiguity, and group trust. It also incorporates the use of ritual, meditation, exercise, and a creative attitude toward the process of life. The author gives suggestions for individual and group activities, tested and suggested by teachers of all levels, and also provides advice on acting creatively within institutions. The book includes focus questions for classes and an extensive list of references, written by or about those in the arts, science, and business. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Education and humanism; linking autonomy and humanity.
Scholars of education and philosophy show how education from a humanist perspective focuses on developing rationality, autonomy, empowerment, creativity, affections and a concern for humanity. They emphasize the particular problem of linking autonomy and humanity. Among their topics are a humanist perspective on moral development and citizenship education, the philosophy of ubuntu and education in South Africa, India as a case study showing the significance of humanist education in developing countries, exploring normative professionalism in humanistic teaching practice, and education dilemmas for humanists facing the challenges of multiculturalism in Flanders. No index is provided. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Higher education and human capital; re/thinking the doctorate in America.
There has been both a dramatic increase in the number of students earning a doctoral degree and a wholesale replacement of tenured positions by contracted academic positions. The reasons behind this, along with particular focus on doctorates in the sciences and education, are considered in this volume, arising from an initiative taken by the Carnegie Institute for the Advancement of Teaching. The editors are Callejo Pérez (Saginaw Valley State U.) and Fain and Slater (both from Florida State U.). The last section, consisting of six articles, is primarily autobiographical, with few footnotes. No index is provided. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Living adult education; Freire in Scotland, 2d ed.
The Gorgie Dalry Adult Learning Project (ALP) in Edinburgh, Scotland, was begun in 1979 as a sustained experiment in applying the principles of the Brazilian educator Paulo Freire in a Western European, post-industrial, urban environment. Authors Gerri Kirkwood, a member of the ALP team from the beginning, and Colin Kirkwood, a former consultant to ALP, explain the theory and rationale of Freirean education and show how its principles were adapted by participants in Scotland. The book contains 3 case studies on outcomes. Interviews shed light on the influence of ALP on participants and staff. This second edition contains a new chapter on ALP in Scotland since 1990. A new preface overviews five general themes useful for understanding the relevance of this book for non-UK readers: the link between theory and practice, the longevity of the project, the changing Scottish context, the theme of alienation in ALP's activities, and the link between local, national, and international contexts. In addition to b&w photos of classrooms and community, the book contains a glossary and a statistical summary of participation in ALP over the period 1979-1987. It will be of interest to promoters of adult and further education, community development, practical and liberation theology, and counseling and psychotherapy. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Navigating in educational contexts; identities and cultures in dialogue.
This work presents key note addresses and selected papers from the 2009 Biennial Conference of the International Study Association on Teachers and Teaching (ISATT), held at the University of Lapland, Finland. Because the papers point to the need for dialogue between different racial, cultural, social, and gender groups, the book will interest educators, teachers, and policy makers aiming to enhance equity and equality in education. The section on identity, context and marginality examines the role of crisis in the development of student teachers' professional identity and explores sustainable values in education. The next section covers teachers' professional development and learning. Papers on teaching contexts examine issues such as transfer credits in higher education. The book's final section covers topics related to ICT in teaching and learning, such as a pedagogical model for virtual reality and simulation-based learning environments in healthcare, and online tutoring for media education interns in practical training. There is no subject index. Lauriala is affiliated with the University of Lapland (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
On Rousseau; an introduction to his radical thinking on education and politics.
Wain (U. of Malta, Malta) presents an introduction to Jean-Jacques Rousseau's works on education and politics. Rousseau, known for his famous book Emile or On Education, is regarded today as one of the most important historical figures in education and politics. This book offers readers a concise introduction to the thinker and his works providing educators and students of philosophy with core understanding. A bibliographical essay is included. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
