[Squeakland] Panel discussion: Can the American Mind be Opened?

[subbukk]

On Wednesday 21 November 2007 11:02 pm, David Corking wrote:
> However, beyond such material, I get thoroughly confused by an
> inability to distinguish proven knowledge, accepted wisdom, and pure
> pseudo-science.    It seems that a lot of educational research is done
> by anecdote rather than by controlled blind large group studies.  Any
> pointers to the good stuff?  Or tips to help a natural scientist to
> understand the research methods of the social sciences?

I found Maria Montessori's "The Advanced Montessori Method" (2 vols) to be a 
good start. It details her own in-depth observation of how children go about 
learning abstract concepts and the reasoning behind many of her didactic 
apparatus. 

The following link lists some sources 
http://www.montessori-namta.org/NAMTA/geninfo/rschsum.html

Empirical studies of neurological basis for knowledge and perception is well 
presented in "The Emerging Mind" by Vilayanur Ramachandran.

Indian literature has many works on the nature of human mind and learning. But 
few English translations manages to capture the essence of the 
original. "Yoga Sutras of Patanjali" by Swami Venkatesananda is one of the 
exception. I often refer to it to clear any confusion about the process of 
learning. Unfortunately, it is also difficult to get in most bookshops. You 
may have it order it directly from the nearest Divine Life Society.

Hope it helps .. Subbu