Provides an introduction to the author's writings and includes a chapter on critical exploration in the classroom. Touching on many subjects, the essays in this work support the author's belief that "the having of wonderful ideas is the essence of intellectual development," and that the focus of education should be on the learner's point of view.

In this revised Third Edition of her indispensable classic on Piaget and teaching, renowned educator and scholar Eleanor Duckworth provides a new introduction to her wide-ranging writings and adds a chapter on critical exploration in the classroom. While touching on many subjects - from science, math, and language to thinking, teaching, learning, evaluation, and teacher education - each of these essays supports the author's deeply felt belief that "the having of wonderful ideas is the essence of intellectual development," and that the focus of education should be on the learner's point of view. Her constant concern is to encourage an approach to education that allows "occasions" for learners, whether children or teachers, to construct their own knowledge.