Methodological Legacy of Vygotsky

Over the last years, cultural-historical theory elaborated by Lev Vygotsky is coming to the international prominence. Fully comprehending Vygotskian ideas requires not only appreciating what is written in his books but also understanding his method of analysis. Grounded in theoretical and qualitative research, the study explores cultural-historical approach to the theory and practice of teacher education elaborated by Vygotsky (1978). Discussing important influences which he experienced while developing his theory, the study identifies key ideas, principles and methods Vygotsky kept to in his theoretical investigations and describes how these concepts led him to discovering his methodology and psychological findings. And finally, the book defines basic ideas of Vygotsky s cultural-historical theory through the lens of the works of his followers, creators of the activity approach, developmental learning, dialogical education and other strategies practiced in modern Ukrainian schools. The book will be useful for teacher educators, teacher candidates, practicing teachers, students and all those who are interested in the theory and practice of modern sociocultural research.

Autorentext

Tetyana S. Koshmanova, Ph.D., has two doctoral degrees in teacher education from Kiev Pedagogical University and Ukrainian Academy of Pedagogical Sciences. She is an author of books and articles published internationally. Associate Professor of educational psychology, TLES, College of Education, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, U.S.A.