Reconsidering Conceptual Change: Issues in Theory and Practice

An account of both theoretical and practical issues in the present-day research on conceptual change. The text is divided into four parts and each of them is commented on by an invited contributor. The first two parts deal with theoretical perspectives on conceptual change. The last two focus more on implications that can be drawn from research and practical aspects to foster knowledge construction and re-construction. The book highlights the fact that not only purely cognitive aspects are involved in conceptual change processes. It indicates that for individuals to be able to achieve deep revision of their prior knowledge, it is crucial that they also modify other aspects such as their beliefs about knowledge and knowing, their motivation, affect and achievement goals. Moreover, this book indicates that the social and cultural nature of the contexts in which the change of individuals' conceptions is desired to occur plays an essential role. This book should prove useful for psychologists, cognitive scientists, educational researchers, curriculum developers, teachers and educators at all levels and all disciplines.