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Drawing attention to the pivotal ideas associated with 'the science of the cultural mind', this book centres on the idea that the human mind should be considered a sociocultural, rather than a natural or biological, phenomenon. Far from being purely theoretical, the science of the cultural mind has direct, practical implications for areas such as child development, the assessment of learning processes, and future-oriented education. The chapters are organized around five pivotal ideas and their applications, including mediated learning, symbolic tools, and leading activity. It also provides a systematic review of the Vygotskian theory and its contemporary implications in cognitive development. Written in an accessible and engaging style, this book contains examples of practical applications of the sociocultural theory of learning that will benefit students, researchers, and practitioners in child development, educational psychology, culture studies, and education.
List of contents
Introduction: the science of the cultural mind; 1. Mediation; 2. Symbolic tools and mental functions; 3. Leading activity and child development; 4. Learning potential; 5. Cognitive education and concept formation; Conclusion: Connecting the dots.
About the author
Alex Kozulin is Professor and Head of the Masters of Education Program in Special Education at Achva College, Israel, and the Academic Director of International Research and Training at the Feuerstein Institute, Israel. He is one of the major international experts in Vygotsky's sociocultural theory and theory of mediated learning.
Summary
Focusing on 'the science of the cultural mind', this book provides a systematic review of the sociocultural theory of learning, its contemporary elaborations, and its practical implementation in education. It includes numerous examples of intervention practices that are ideal for students, researchers, and practitioners.
Foreword
A systematic review of key concepts of sociocultural theory of human development, including examples of its educational applications.
