HOME |
• Quick Picks • Roger's Choice • Under £5 • Top 20 Sellers • New Books • Special Reviews |
HELP |
Roger's
Active Learning Bookshop All profits go to Save the Children. [View total] |
||
---|---|---|
Here
are the classic books you'll find on everyone's bookshelf, or the
books always quoted by other writers, or the books you have promised
yourself to read before (or just after) you retire. Some books have
become instant classics. It is an honour to be in this cellar!
Probably.
This list will never be complete, but I welcome your suggestions for additions to this list of classic books about active or experiential learning. |
|
|
Freedom to Learn
Carl R. Rogers, H. Jerome Freiberg
"Teaching, in my estimation, is a vastly overrated function.....
I see the facilitation of learning as the aim of education."
Carl Rogers
The Learning Revolution
Gordon Dryden, Jeannette Vos
Appreciative
Inquiry
Jane McGruder Watkins, Bernard J. Mohr
Book Description:
For the past 15 years the authors have worked closely with colleagues
to develop the emerging issue of Appreciative Inquiry (AI), a process
for fostering positive and strength based change, as a theory and
practice that can be used by OD professionals and managers/leaders of
organizations, groups and communities. They have seeded the AI process
across the globe and are now seeing a continually increasing interest
in its use. In the light of 15 years of practice adapting AI to many
cultures, types of organizations, and multiple "presenting issues,"
this is now a proven process that OD consultants, organizational
leaders and managers, and the academic community are finding eminently
innovative, energizing, and useful.
Synopsis:
This title combines theory, an explanation of the reason that
Appreciative Inquiry (AI) is transformative, and practical designs for
various kinds of AI/OD interventions paired with case studies where the
interventions have been used successfully. The book includes a complete
explanation of AI from its historical and theoretical roots to its
practice and impact in organizations presented in the context of the
rapidly changing environment in which we live and work. (amazon.co.uk)
Frames of Mind:
The Theory of Multiple Intelligences
Howard Gardner
The
Tao of Leadership:
Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching Adapted for a New Age
John Heider
The Fifth Discipline
Peter M. Senge
Review:
Peter Senge, founder of the Centre for Organisational Learning at MIT's
Sloan School of Management, experienced an epiphany while meditating
one morning back in the fall of 1987. That was the day he first saw the
possibilities of a "learning organisation" that used "systems thinking"
as the primary tenet of a revolutionary management philosophy. He
advanced the concept into this primer, originally released in 1990,
written for those interested in integrating his philosophy into their
corporate culture.
The Fifth Discipline has turned many readers into true believers; it
remains the ideal introduction to Senge's carefully integrated
corporate framework, which is structured around "personal mastery",
"mental models", "shared vision", and "team learning". Using ideas that
originate in fields from science to spirituality, Senge explains why
the learning organisation matters, provides an unvarnished summary of
his management principals, offers some basic tools for practising it,
and shows what it's like to operate under this system. The book's
concepts remain stimulating and relevant as ever. (Howard Rothman,
Amazon.com)
Experiential Learning:
Experience as the Source of Learning and Development
David A. Kolb
Kolb's learning cycle
has spawned many unauthorised imitations that misrepresent his
theories.
As you might guess from the title he has a theory of experiential
development as well as
a theory of experiential learning. Not bed time reading, but essential
for anyone doing
serious research in this area. Most readers will probably be surprised
to find that
there is very little about cyclical movement, even though his well
known 'circle' is the central
focus of his discussion of the various dynamics of his model of
experiential learning.
There is an important 4 page critique of Kolb's theory in John Heron's Feelings
and Personhood,
in which Kolb's model is said to downplay the importance of feelings
and intuition in experiential learning.
Despite the range of Kolb's theorising, this generally positivistic
book does not provide an adequate grounding for more holistic
approaches to learning. (reviewed by Roger Greenaway)
View
these critiques of Kolb's experiential learning theory
and Kolb's answers to questions about his theory.
Chicken Soup for the Soul
Jack Canfield, Victor Mark Hansen
Seven Habits of Highly Effective People
Stephen R. Covey
The Inner Game of Tennis
W. Timothy Gallwey
The first of many 'inner game' books by Gallwey - and by others jumping
on the bandwagon. Whereas many other coaching approaches focus directly
on what you are trying to achieve, inner game coaching takes your
attention elsewhere. Not only does this indirect route result in
improved performance, it can also increase enjoyment. (Roger Greenaway)
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance Review: Arguably one of
the most profoundly important essays ever written on the nature and
significance of "quality" and definitely a necessary anodyne to the
consequences of a modern world pathologically obsessed with quantity.
Although set as a story of a cross-country trip on a motorcycle by a
father and son, it is more nearly a journey through 2,000 years of
Western philosophy. For some people, this has been a truly
life-changing book.
19 customer reviews at amazon.co.uk
394
customer reviews at amazon.com!
Robert M. Pirsig
Review: Father and son travel across the USA on a motorbike. Dad thinks
hard about values, creativity, philosophy and 'gumptionology'. Need to
fix your bike? This book won't tell you how, but somehow your bike
problem will look different when you get back to it. A wonderful
philosophical journey for non-philosophers. I can even remember bits of
it 25 years on! (Roger Greenaway)
I'm OK - You're OK
Thomas A. Harris MD
Synopsis:
A guide to transactional analysis. In non-technical language, it offers
advice on gaining control of yourself, your relationships and your
future, no matter what has happened in the past.
Pedagogy of the Oppressed
Paulo Freire, Myra Bergman Ramos (Translator), Richard Shaull
Synopsis:
This text argues that the ignorance and lethargy of the poor are the
direct result of the whole economic, social and political domination.
By being kept in a situation in which it is practically impossible to
achieve a critical awareness and response the disadvantaged are kept
"submerged". The book suggests that in some countries the oppressors
use the system to maintain this "culture of silence". Through the right
kind of education, the book suggests, avoiding authoritarian
teacher-pupil models and based on the actual experiences of students
and on continual shared investigation, every human being, no matter how
impoverished or illiterate, can develop a new awareness of self, and
the right to be heard. (amazon.co.uk)
Learned Optimism
Martin E. P. Seligman
Synopsis:
Compiles scientific evidence that optimism is vital to overcoming
defeat and exhibits how readers can learn the habit of optimism
necessary for a successful and happy life.
Flow: You can explore Mihaly
Csikszentmihalyi's ideas about flow for free at http://www.deepfun.com
where Dr. Fun (Bernie DeKoven) interviews 'Mike' about 'flow'.
The Psychology of Optimal Experience
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
Book Description
What really makes people glad to be alive? What are the inner
experiences that make life worthwhile? For more than two decades Mihaly
Csikszentmihalyi studied those states in which people report feelings
of concentration and deep enjoyment. His studies revealed that what
makes experience genuinely satisfying is ‘flow’ a
state of concentration so focused that it amounts to complete
absorption in an activity and results in the achievement of a perfect
state of happiness.Flow has become the classic work on happiness and a
major contribution to contemporary psychology. It examines such
timeless issues as the challenge of lifelong learning; family
relationships; art, sport and sex as ‘flow’; the
pain of loneliness; optimal use of free time; and how to make our lives
meaningful. (Amazon.co.uk)
One Minute Manager
Keith Blanchard
The One Minute Manager catches people doing things right.
Transfer of Training:
Action-packed Strategies to Ensure High Payoff from Training Investments
Mary L. Broad, John W. Newstrom
The whole book is based around a 3x3 matrix that shows what the
manager, trainer and trainee
can do before, during and after a training course to assist transfer.
The answer is a list of
80 strategies. Most strategies are common sense, but most readers will
find a few new ideas here -
with many brought to life in case studies. You will never have the time
to apply all of these
strategies, but your training events will benefit from the systematic
partnership approach
that is encouraged by the authors and supported by their research.
The
Well-Played Game:
A Playful Path to Wholeness
Bernie DeKoven
Mihaly
Csikszentmihalyi
"Games are not
life. They are, if anything, bigger than life." (Bernie DeKoven)
Reviewed by Roger Greenaway: This book is worth more than any other
'games' book I have come across. By getting a more fundamental grasp of
what matters most about playing games you 'win' in at least two ways:
It is not about winning and losing. It is about high quality
experiences for all - through 'healthy competition'.
Bernie DeKoven was the co-director of the New Games Foundation. He
wrote the orignal Well-Played Game in 1978 and brought out this revised
edition in 2002. The book (and the author) have helped to revolutionize
physical education worldwide. His message has become increasingly
relevant. It is an intelligent read without being heavy. He interweaves
examples and discussion in an engaging and persuasive way.
"When we are playing well, we are at our best. We are fully engaged,
totally present, and yet, at the same time, we are only playing."
If you are looking for lots of games, find another book. If you want to
enjoy or facilitate well-played games, you have just found the answer.
(Roger Greenaway)
"What connects games with reality is that they are lifelike. What
separates them is that they are not for real. What unites them with the
totality of experience is not just their metaphorical quality but the
manner in which they are played."
Wholeness and the Implicate Order
David Bohm
Synopsis:
This work develops a theory of quantum physics which treats the
totality of existence, including matter and consciousness, as an
unbroken whole. The author presents a rational and scientific theory
which explains cosmology and the nature of reality. The work is
intended to be of relevance to those interested in physics, philosophy,
psychology and the connection between conciousness and matter.
The Complete Facilitator's Handbook
John Heron
Reviewed
by Roger Greenaway:
An odd combination of a very systematic approach mixed with an
inspiring collection of creative ideas. You'll appreciate the tidy
framework, the detailed examples and the temptations to experiment.
John Heron was the Founder and Director of the Human
Potential Research Project at
the University of Surrey. This book (1999) updates and integrates his
earlier books. (Roger Greenaway)
Synopsis:
This comprehensive guide is designed to provide the key to successful
facilitation. Analytical in approach and highly structured, it aims to
help facilitators both understand and develop their own personal style
of facilitation. Combining a strong theoretical content, including a
comprehensive group dynamic theory, with an extensive repertoire for
practical action the book provides the essential foundations for
building effective facilitative skills that suit both a facilitator's
personality and then closely match the situations they encounter.
(amazon.co.uk)
Emotional Intelligence:
Why It Can Matter More Than IQ
Daniel Goleman
There
was a time when IQ was considered the leading determinant of success.
In this fascinating book, based on brain and behavioural research,
Daniel Goleman argues that our IQ- idolising view of intelligence is
far too narrow. Instead, Goleman makes the case for "emotional
intelligence" being the strongest indicator of human success. He
defines emotional intelligence in terms of self-awareness, altruism,
personal motivation, empathy and the ability to love and be loved by
friends, partners, and family members. People who possess high
emotional intelligence are the people who truly succeed in work as well
as play, building flourishing careers and lasting, meaningful
relationships. Because emotional intelligence isn't fixed at birth,
Goleman outlines how adults as well as parents of young children can
sow the seeds. (Amazon.com)
Synopsis:
This study argues that "emotional intelligence" is more important than
a high IQ in terms of how one performs in life. It claims that
qualities such as impulse control, persistence, zeal, self-motivation,
empathy and social deftness are the characteristics of people who
excel.
Sharing
Nature with Children:
20th Anniversary Edition
Joseph Cornell
And there's a
follow-up!
Sharing Nature With Children 2
Experience and Education
John Dewey
Synopsis:
The educational theorist analyzes the shortcomings of both traditional
and progressive approaches to education.
Q. What's popular? A. See The Top 20 Q. What's best? A. See Best Books Q. Where are the bargains? A. They are all on one page at Books Under a Fiver Q. What's new? A. See New Books or browse the right margins in any category. Q. Where am I? A. Roger's Bookshop is part of The Active Reviewing Guide. |
Amazon.com Returns Policy |
Amazon.co.uk Returns Policy |
See today's Hot 100 Books at Amazon.com | See today's Hot 100 Books at Amazon.co.uk |
For
news of new active learning book reviews monthly tips & articles about active learning subscribe for free to Active Reviewing Tips Roger's monthly ezine for dynamic facilitators. |
To
navigate the Active Reviewing Guide Start at the Home Page or Find your Search Profile or Use the Main Search Page |
HOME |
HELP |