RE: [xmca] whats-the-most-natural-way-to-learn-it-might-surprise-you/

[Peter Smagorinsky <smago@uga.edu>]

Thanks to all for the various responses. I find it a bit surprising that what people on this network have taken for granted for a long time (in 2014, for instance, I'll celebrate my 20th year on xlchc/xmca) is viewed as a surprising, counter-intuitive new research finding by people in psychology departments.

I don't quite see Willingham's example of ordering coffee as problematic as Michael Glassman does. When you write blog pieces for the public, you have to simplify, both for the space limits and for the fact that you're writing for an audience of laypeople. You can't parse every issue into minute detail the way that scholarship allows. (I write a lot of educational op-ed/blog essays so have had to discipline myself in this rhetorical challenge; see http://smago.coe.uga.edu/vita/vitaweb.htm#OpEd). I'd say that googling and whatnot are just variations on his assisted decision-making options. There are undoubtedly many other ways of choosing coffee, especially if it's possible that you like it served in many different ways and are in it for the Parisian adventure. But I'm not really in this discussion to talk about how to get a good cup of coffee. If I want that, I'll go upstairs and make one.

I'm also not concerned that the characterization is individualized, given that I'm more of a Vygotskian than an activity theorist (I once was, but am now defrocked). Bakhurst (2007, Cambridge Companion to LSV) observes that “Despite his emphasis on the sociocultural foundations of psychological development, Vygotsky’s thought remains centred on the individual subject conceived as a discrete, autonomous self” (p. 63). Me too. Maybe it's the American in me, but I just can't get away from the fact that I'm an individual, no matter where I fit on the triangle.

Haydi, I don't quite follow your question, and the link you sent only gets me to yahoo mail (and no, when I search, I don't "yahoo"). Could you please clarify, at least if you're looking for a response? thanks,Peter

-----Original Message-----
From: xmca-bounces@weber.ucsd.edu [mailto:xmca-bounces@weber.ucsd.edu] On Behalf Of Haydi Zulfei
Sent: Tuesday, June 18, 2013 11:19 AM
To: eXtended Mind, Culture, Activity
Subject: Re: [xmca] whats-the-most-natural-way-to-learn-it-might-surprise-you/

Short and relevant , Peter ! Thanks !
But how is this and similar ones of macro-dimensional to be healed ?

http://xe-mg42.mail.yahoo.com/neo/launch?.rand=1efe9bgsmmdf4#mail


Best
Haydi


________________________________
 From: Peter Smagorinsky <smago@uga.edu>
To: "eXtended Mind, Culture, Activity" <xmca@weber.ucsd.edu> 
Sent: Tuesday, 18 June 2013, 14:34:07
Subject: [xmca] whats-the-most-natural-way-to-learn-it-might-surprise-you/
 


http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2013/06/17/whats-the-most-natural-way-to-learn-it-might-surprise-you/


The author, Daniel Willingham, is a straight-up cognitive psychologist-interesting to see him essentially promoting a cultural-historical perspective in this essay. p



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