Understanding and Using Educational Theories

Understanding and Using Educational Theories is a textbook offering an overview of 19 influential thinkers in education. It brings together established figures such as Vygotsky, Bruner and Dewey alongside more recent voices including Freire, hooks and Claxton, as well as other key names whose writing has helped shape views on teaching and learning.

Each chapter pairs theory with practical classroom examples and includes critique that considers opposing viewpoints, highlighting strengths and weaknesses across different ideas. This third edition adds new chapters on Barak Rosenshine and Daniel Goleman, updates the reflective tasks with a stronger classroom focus, and includes more models and theoretical diagrams throughout. The book is positioned as a primer for university courses covering learning theory, with particular relevance to initial teacher education, education studies and early childhood degrees.

Key details

• Textbook covering 19 influential educational thinkers
• Third edition
• Includes practical classroom examples and critical discussion in each chapter
• New chapters on Barak Rosenshine and Daniel Goleman
• Reflective tasks revised with greater classroom focus
• Additional models and theoretical diagrams included

Synopsis

This textbook surveys a selection of major educational theorists and explains how their ideas have influenced approaches to teaching and learning. Chapters include examples of how theory can inform classroom practice, alongside critique that explores alternative perspectives and evaluates the strengths and limitations of different viewpoints.

The third edition expands the coverage with new chapters on Barak Rosenshine and Daniel Goleman, refreshed reflective tasks designed to be more practically focused, and increased use of models and theoretical diagrams. It is intended for university study where learning theory is a core component, including initial teacher education, education studies and early childhood degrees.