Making Minds

by Paul Kelley

Making Minds is a controversial critique of our education systems. The author is a school leader ‘at the forefront of scientific and technological advancement in schools’ who, as an American, ‘felt comfortable taking on the British establishment’ ( The Times Educational Supplement ). Making Minds is written for general readers- especially parents- as well as educational professionals. The book examines the underlying limitations that have been accepted in education over the past two thousand years. The author challenges common assumptions about education through evidence-based, political, ethical, and emotional arguments, as well as examining case studies such as university admissions and the autism ‘epidemic’. Making Minds describes a more productive scientific approach to learning, drawing on recent research findings, particularly in the US and UK. The author illustrates how new research methods, new technologies, and very recent discoveries in neuroscience that will, in the end, allow us to make minds.

198 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a superb book that challenged a lot of my thinking about teaching or more specifically learning. As a teacher and a department head and having a role in staff development the key concept I got from Kelley is literally building pathways in the brain through rapid overview. It is also interesting to see learning as adaptation. I did not agree with the author's agnosticism at points. Still a recommended read.

[Rui · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book about a new vision for education. And the author as a very good exemple in grangetown. It works even for young children. That amazing.

[Jeff Wilsbacher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was hoping for a more substantial treatment of spaced learning, most of this book is a critique of education that reminds me of watered down John Taylor Gatto's.