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Processes of Building Theories of Learning: Three Contrasting Cases

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Engaging with Contemporary Challenges through Science Education Research

Part of the book series: Contributions from Science Education Research ((CFSE,volume 9))

Abstract

Theory building in the learning sciences is still in a relatively primitive state. We do not yet have a good, articulated grasp of how to build, test, and improve theories, what forms of theories are best adapted to learning and teaching, or how to use them optimally in practice. Here, we capitalize on several decades of work building theory within the Knowledge in Pieces (KiP) epistemological perspective. We sketch three different modes of theory development—and their diverse relations to empirical work and to instruction—which have proved successful. We close with a list of recommendations for advancing the art of theory building within science education and the learning sciences.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate School of Education, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA

    Andrea A. diSessa

  2. Department of Mathematics, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, USA

    Mariana Levin

Authors
  1. Andrea A. diSessa
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  2. Mariana Levin
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Andrea A. diSessa .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics and Astronomy “A. Righi”, Alma Mater Studiorun - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy

    Olivia Levrini  & Giulia Tasquier  & 

  2. Department of Education, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon

    Tamer G. Amin

  3. Department of Mathematics “Federigo Enriques”, University of Milan, Milan, Italy

    Laura Branchetti

  4. Department of Mathematics, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA

    Mariana Levin

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diSessa, A.A., Levin, M. (2021). Processes of Building Theories of Learning: Three Contrasting Cases. In: Levrini, O., Tasquier, G., Amin, T.G., Branchetti, L., Levin, M. (eds) Engaging with Contemporary Challenges through Science Education Research. Contributions from Science Education Research, vol 9. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-74490-8_18

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-74490-8_18

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-74489-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-74490-8

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