Scan barcode
ckrush's review
4.0
This is some pretty steep stuff. I don't have much of a background in psychology but read this book for a grad level Theory of Learning class. I found this book hard to read because I am not familiar with many of the pscyh concepts Vygotsky discusses. It is also translated from Russian which makes me wonder what may have been lost in translation.
For each topic the author discusses and explains, he gives a thorough explanation of the theorists and schools of thought that preceded his writing. After which he explains why they are incorrect and he posits his own theories.
Basically the the first part of the book (chapters 1-5) were dense and didn't get much out of them. Here is where there was alot of talk about historical psychology.
Basically this book says the following:
-Development and learning are socioculturally based
-development comes from dialectic conflict (Marxists psychology)
-Zone of proximal development; basically that people test at their actual level of development but he or she can function at a higher level with cooperative help of some kind. the space between the two levels is the ZPD
This book is recommended only for those really interested in Psychology. If you are interested in education there is great value here, but start at chapter 6 where Vygotsky applies his theory to learning. Unless you're up for a challenge it would be better to seek a secondary source.
For each topic the author discusses and explains, he gives a thorough explanation of the theorists and schools of thought that preceded his writing. After which he explains why they are incorrect and he posits his own theories.
Basically the the first part of the book (chapters 1-5) were dense and didn't get much out of them. Here is where there was alot of talk about historical psychology.
Basically this book says the following:
-Development and learning are socioculturally based
-development comes from dialectic conflict (Marxists psychology)
-Zone of proximal development; basically that people test at their actual level of development but he or she can function at a higher level with cooperative help of some kind. the space between the two levels is the ZPD
This book is recommended only for those really interested in Psychology. If you are interested in education there is great value here, but start at chapter 6 where Vygotsky applies his theory to learning. Unless you're up for a challenge it would be better to seek a secondary source.
snivystorm's review
4.0
A book read in pursuit of understanding education and how best to teach people, Vygotsky's points here are valid, inciteful and required if one wishes to truly know how best to teach someone from a theoretical perspective. Notably his idea of scaffolding, characterised through his zone of proximal development (ZPD) is always going to remain valuable knowledge.
However, it is docked a mark in this regard as what he says how now been outlined clearer and presented more smoothly, but that's the mere passage of time working its magic as teachers and psychologists of today can redraft his work.
For its time, this book was vital and remains important today. Definitely give it a read if you're pursuing education as a career or simply wish to expand your psychological knowledge.
However, it is docked a mark in this regard as what he says how now been outlined clearer and presented more smoothly, but that's the mere passage of time working its magic as teachers and psychologists of today can redraft his work.
For its time, this book was vital and remains important today. Definitely give it a read if you're pursuing education as a career or simply wish to expand your psychological knowledge.
kyrstin_p1989's review against another edition
2.0
I don’t think I understood most of this book. It’s so convoluted.
More...