Tell Me More

“Tell Me More”: Listening to Learners Explain elaborates on Eleanor Duckworth’s work in teaching and learning, which Maxine Greene has described as “open(ing) new landscapes for research, teaching, and interpretation.” In this wonderful collection, Duckworth and six of her colleagues describe learners (who range in age from five to adulthood) coming to connect with seven different subject matters—from politics to poetry, medicine to mapping. Their findings not only provide good readable stories, but also offer a unique look at people involved in real learning. Features include:

• Critical examinations of philosophical and psychological ideas about learning
• Examples of the power of the human mind to come alive across a range of subject matters and situations
• Suggestions for pedagogical and curricular pathways that schools can initiate

Eleanor Duckworth is Professor of Education at Harvard University. A former student of Jean Piaget and Barbel Inhelder, she has worked in curriculum development, program evaluation, and teacher education in the United States, Europe, Africa, Latin America, and her native Canada.

“Duckworth and colleagues illustrate, with powerful and lively teaching examples, how theory related to the construction of knowledge by students can be implemented in the classroom. This book is a singular contribution to the literature on teaching and learning.”
—James A. Banks, University of Washington, Seattle

"Duckworth has given us case studies of 'mid-wife' teaching at its very best. We see the fledgling ideas actually developing and gaining strength. Duckworth articulates her craft with the greatest care and insight. She gives her readers the sense they themselves are attendant at the birth of ideas, the miracle of creation."
—Mary Field Belenky, co-author of Women's Ways of Knowing

"Duckworth’s book, Tell Me More: Listening to Learners Explain, is a fascinating and pioneering account of people working together over many weeks, struggling to invent ideas . This book is a must read for teachers and others who want to come to grips with fundamental problems facing all undefeated educators: What is thinking? How does it grow?"
—Howard E. Gruber, Teachers College, Columbia University

"These essays, in their concrete dailyness, give us a vision of what's possible, some crafterly advice about how to proceed, and the courage to try."
—Deborah Meier, Principal, Mission Hill Elementary School, Boston

"This book by teachers . . . specifies a process of mutual inquiry and discovery that begins with a real problem in all its complexity and emphasizes close observation and listening to the development of ideas."
—Elliot G. Mishler, Harvard Medical School

"This compelling collection vividly portrays Eleanor Duckworth's notion of 'the having of wonderful ideas,' an educational practice, as you will see, typified by passionate teachers and engaged students, together collaborating in the 'collective creation of knowledge.’”
—William F. Pinar, Louisiana State University

“Using detailed accounts of their work, the authors show what Duckworth calls “reciprocal stirring of ideas” among learners and teachers. This book provides a close-up view of a foundational Freirean principle of learners constructing their own knowledge based on prior experience, new information, and meaningful dialogue with others.”
—Margo Okazawa-Rey, San Francisco State University

"Spend time with Eleanor Duckworth and you will become a better educator. Her life's work has been studying the habits of engaged learners."
—Ira Shor, City University of New York Graduate School