Denis Charles Phillips is Professor Emeritus of Education and of Philosophy at Stanford University. Professor Phillips' special interest is in educational research and evaluation of program methodology and design.
Yes, this book was a tad dry as a result of this, but also comprehensible, easy to follow, and great for engaging and referencing in my CI 512 classroom. And the hypothetical examples were always built around the learning theories being discussed, rather than Wink's more... tangential approach.
I feel that I have a solid grasp of the major learning theories/theorists, such as Plato, John Locke, the Behaviorists, Piaget, Vygotsky, yada yada yada. I could do without a few of the hokier anecdotes and metaphors, especially those involving football-Piaget and brain-computer comparisons; indeed, comparing ANYTHING to football is automatically going to clout my understanding.
But, overall, a pleasant-enough read that I would readily recommend to wannabe teachers everywhere.
a straight-forward introductory book on theories of learning. notably, behaviorism, constructivism and cognitive science with cases and clear examples. I recommend reading it for those who want to take a glimpse without being wet in philosophies of education :).
My educational psychology books did a much better job of describing the varios theories of learning. This book is too concise. Each one of the major theories deserves entire volumes of books!