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Carol D. Lee: Signifying and Standing in the Gap Through Research and Praxis

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The Palgrave Handbook of Educational Thinkers

Abstract

Dr. Carol D. Lee is a renowned scholar, researcher, and activist who has received numerous awards and recognitions for her contributions that cross boundaries and borders. Influenced by the historical moment in which she has lived, Dr. Lee’s work extends that of learning scientists, contributes to the intellectual thinking of historical Black psychologists, and embraces the nuances of cognition, learning, and development that are influenced by culture in a complex world. Dr. Lee views learning as inclusive of a relationship between cognitive, phenomenological, emotional, and social factors. In this chapter, her influences and motivations are discussed to lay the foundation for understanding her key theoretical and practical contributions to the field of education. More specifically, this chapter illuminates Lee’s advancements that have endured over time such as the concept of Signifying and her cultural modeling theory. Furthermore, her position on the following is also discussed and continues to influence new insights in the field of education: (a) the need for the centrality of culture to the study of learning and development, (b) a call for more asset-based and ecological orientation in research and practice; and, (c) increased educational opportunities that promote civic ends.

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  • Lee, C. D., & Ball, A. (2005). Cultural historical activity theory as a design and analytical tool in literacy research. In R. Beach, J. Green, T. Shannahan, & M. Kamil (Eds.), Multidisciplinary perspectives on literacy research (2nd ed.). Hampton Press.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Redlands, Redlands, CA, USA

    Nicol R. Howard

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  1. Nicol R. Howard
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Correspondence to Nicol R. Howard .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Educational Leadership, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, USA

    Brett A. Geier

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  1. Department of Educational Leadership, Research, and Technology, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, USA

    Brett A. Geier Professor

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Howard, N.R. (2023). Carol D. Lee: Signifying and Standing in the Gap Through Research and Praxis. In: Geier, B.A. (eds) The Palgrave Handbook of Educational Thinkers . Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-81037-5_126-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-81037-5_126-1

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-81037-5

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