RP - Reading List

E-Learning in the 21st Century, A framework for Research and Practice, D.R. Garrison and Terry Anderson

Garrison and Anderson assess the current revolution of technology that is taking place in education with in the 21st century. The authors convey their views on the potential of E-learning as well as the implications that exist, however the book is based on the understanding of these technologies with in education rather than the specifications of E-learning. Focusing on the cognitive and teaching presence with in e-learning they base their argument on how certain principles of fundamental learning concepts can be used to improve the way we use interactive learning with in education, thus making it a better user experience optimising the potential of the learner.

Understanding Children’s worlds, How Children Think and Learn Second Edition, David Wood

This book written by Wood explores theories, debates and works by physiologists such as Piaget and Vygotsky. The different theories behind the development of education in children by Piaget and Vygotsky are reflected in this book, giving guidance as to what is needed in order for children not only to simply learn but also to engage their attention from their perspective.  Focusing on the implications teachers are faced with when implementing theory of education into practice with in the classrooms - he discusses various ways in which education has been developed over a decade.

Developmental psychology, Cognition in Children, Usha Goswani

The book written by Goswani demonstrates cognitional development in children that have similarities with the adult cognition development. This textbook aims to provide a selective, but representative, review of work in cognitive development, grouped around themes that are familiar from textbooks of adult cognition. The book focuses on the question of what develops, rather than on why it develops. The findings of a given experimental study on what develops are generally fixed, but the interpretation of what particular findings mean and why remains open. Some of the experiments discussed in this book have alternative explanations, which invite you to develop your own
                                                 ideas about what different studies mean.