Constructivism: Theory, Perspectives, and Practice

by Catherine Twomey Fosnot

This enduring bestseller remains the most comprehensive examination of constructivism and its relationship to teaching and learning. Closing the gap between theory and practice, well-known scholars make constructivism accessible by showing its application in everyday classrooms. Building on the success of the first edition, the authors have completely updated this popular text and expanded its scope to include examples of constructivist teaching across all grade levels and disciplines.

An ambitious revision of a now classic text, Constructivism: Theory, Perspectives, and Practice, Second Edition is an invaluable resource for practicing teachers, teacher educators, and curriculum specialists in mathematics, science, social studies, and language arts.

New for the Second Edition!

An updated theory section that adds further contemporary biological evidence to go beyond the theories of Piaget and Vygotsky—offering a more contemporary framework for a psychological theory of learning. New chapters reflecting the school-based reforms that have been initiated since the writing of the first edition—specifically addressing the changes in mathematics, social studies, and teacher education. A new chapter on the emerging field of disability studies—including a critique that unmasks current practices and assumptions that better serve schools rather than students and their families.

Contributors: Paul Cobb • Susan Cowey • Rheta DeVries • Eleanor Duckworth • Dewey I. Dykstra, Jr. • George Forman • Catherine Twomey Fosnot • Catherine A. Franklin • June S. Gould • Maxine Greene • Candace Julyan • Randall Stewart Perry • D. Kim Reid • Deborah Schifter • Jan Weatherly Valle • Ernst von Glasersfeld • Betty Zan.

Praise for the First Edition!

“Provides the reader with many ways of connecting to the central ideas of constructivism . . . highly readable.”
—Gifted Child Quarterly

“Shows how constructivist theory can inform classroom practices, and . . . provides teachers with a deeper understanding that gives substance to the rhetoric of school reform.”

—Journal of Curriculum Studies

Genres: Philosophy, Education, Theory

321 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Cathy Fosnot is a leading voice in mathematics education. She is Professor Emerita of Education at the City College of New York and the founder of Mathematics in the City, a national center for professional development located at the college. In 2007 she established New Perspectives on Learning to devote her time to speaking around the world, fostering school change through professional learning and support, and producing new resources and materials.

Reviews

[Gabrielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great review of the field of constructivism. Highly recommended if you're in the field of Education/Learning Theory.

[Applied Social Studies Bedford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Available from the University of Bedfordshire Library. Click here to view the catalogue record: http://www.library.beds.ac.uk/record=...

This enduring bestseller remains the most comprehensive examination of constructivism and its relationship to teaching and learning. Closing the gap between theory and practice, well-known scholars make constructivism accessible by showing its application in everyday classrooms. Building on the success of the first edition, the authors have completely updated this popular text and expanded its scope to include examples of constructivist teaching across all grade levels and disciplines. An ambitious revision of a now classic text, Constructivism: Theory, Perspectives, and Practice, Second Edition is an invaluable resource for practicing teachers, teacher educators, and curriculum specialists in mathematics, science, social studies, and language arts.

[Gillian Bourassa]

I read the first edition and wish I was able to read the 2nd edition (or even better, a third edition published within the last year or so). I was also disappointed that in the section about constructivism in the content areas, every content area except social studies was included. Even so, it provided some good insight into the philosophy -- and would be useful for everyone to take a step back and peruse now that Danielson's teacher evaluation model is upon us.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good explanation of constructivism.