The aim of this article is to contribute to the understanding and use of the theory of communities of practice. In order to clarify terms, explore applications for education and reflect on various critiques of the theory in the literature, two educational researchers conducted a series of interviews with the theorist Etienne Wenger-Trayner. The…

The most attractive thing in queer theory is the social movement energy that's been in it, the sense of excitement and boundary-breaking, the sense of new perspectives. Given the social anxieties and manipulated fear and right-wing triumphalism around today, people need that excitement and boldness--in education and in society at large. In this…

A book, article, or theory might be judged not only by the insightfulness of the claims it makes, but also by the connections, possibilities, and politics that it fosters. By these criteria, Robert McRuer's publications, of which the most widely known is "Crip Theory: Cultural Signs of Queerness and Disability" (2006), are crucial. He weaves…

This article discusses the way in which social identities structure the learning processes of students in two subjects in the Dutch secondary school curriculum--Care and Technology. It analyses interviews with 23 students and their teachers with a view to explaining the disappointing results in these subjects in terms of breaking through gender…

The article explores the ways "uneven geographical development" conditions and is conditioned by local placemaking practices. Guided by David Harvey's work along with Henri Lefebvre's three dimensions of spatial production--spatial practices, representations of space, and spaces of representation or the "spatial imaginary"--I…

Radical education is questioning institutions and assumptions about education. An interview presents ideas of the spokesperson, Henry Giroux. They include the following: (1) traditional thinkers have the wrong perception of education; (2) education should engender empowerment; (3) radical education goes beyond a Marxist perspective; and (4)…

Object-relations (O-R) theory expands traditional psychoanalytic thinking beyond psychiatric hospitals and patients. This approach focuses on emotional development that leads to normal or disturbed behavior. O.R. theory is presented here to acquaint counselors with its basic concepts, its practical applications, and its impact on current…

Describes the views and goals of Paulo Freire. Presents an interview with Freire where he discusses his life, works, writing habits, pedagogy, social ideas, research, critical literacy, and other topics. (PRA)

Provides background information on Basil Bernstein and his theory of symbolic control and cultural production. Presents an interview with Bernstein addressing such topics as the concept of "pedagogy" and its role in his theory, "boundaries" as a conceptual key in his theory, and transformation of his theory. (CMK)

A cognitive theory about the representation and processing of ethnic attitudes is presented, and strategies people use to express ethnic attitudes in conversations are discussed. Recent developments in cognitive and social psychology and in microsociology have shown that ethnic prejudices or attitudes are both cognitive and social results of…