Education on the Edge of Possibility (Paperback)

by Renate Nummela Caine (Author), Geoffrey Caine (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
What happens when learning theory meets the reality of the classroom? In this book, you'll find out what happened when Renate and Geoffrey Caine took their theory of learning, which is based on a wholistic interpretation of brain research, and strived to bring it to life in two schools. The Caines' work represents a new way of looking at learning and change. Forming the foundation are brain/mind learning principles that describe how the brain, mind, and body work together. The book details the Caines' work in the schools, reports the results, and introduces surprising conclusions about how educators will have to think and function to succeed in the 21st century. The Caines believe that society as a whole is poised on the edge of chaos--and possibility. Education is being pulled into that turbulence, and educators have an opportunity to participate in influencing its direction. By incorporating traditional and brain-based approaches to instruction, the authors offer the means--education on the edge of possibility.

Product Details

• Paperback: 279 pages
• Publisher: Association for Supervision & Curriculum Deve (April 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679437037
• ISBN-13: 978-0679437031
• ASIN: 0871202824
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #551,861 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another step into the mystery of brain-based education., May 9, 1998

By	Jeffrey L. Calligan "Australian Transplant" (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Once again the Caines challenge us to look at education through new eyes ‹ the eyes of brain-based theory. The Caines are marvelous summarizers and practicioners of what they learn. Their work with the schools in California continues to advance the information and method we need to explore and install brain-based education in our lives and our schools. Congratulations on this next step. Follow them in future books. Excellent.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars On The Edge of Possibility, February 21, 2001

By	Mary Hutchings (N. TRURO, MA USA) - See all my reviews

Education on the Edge of Possibility Renate Nummela Caine and Geoffrey Caine

Book Review by Mary Hutchings

How do human beings learn? Are your mental models in harmony with your espoused theories? If you are intrigued by these questions as well as by the notion that "education could function to produce the sorts of people who could lead us toward sustainable community in the next century", then this book is a must read for you.

The authors will have you examining the invisible set of assumptions, which guide your own learning; as well as help you analyze current educational settings for effectiveness, using lists developed specifically for that purpose. The key, they say, is understanding the basic principles of how the human brain learns, or "Brain Based Learning".

Rather than offering yet another "theory" of instruction, the authors have actually provided an orderly framework which helps explain why aspects of each theory make sense, why other aspects may be misapplied, and even why genuine change or the threat of change never seems to produce just that: change. The authors share with us details of work they did with two schools in California, what they did, and what they learned. The results are fascinating.

After reading this book you will have a solid understanding of how your brain learns, what conditions are necessary for optimal learning, and a connection to an existing network of support ready with ideas to transform yourself. Maybe you will help lead us toward sustainable community in the next century.

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An awesome window on education for those who will look!, July 16, 1999

By A Customer

Caine and Caine have actually amassed the theories on how children learn in a workable tableau that all of us educators can learn from if we so choose. They do, in fact, create an experience for us which can help link our learning to genuine shifts in our understanding of children. This is a must book for all educators.