Current Research Direction - Rogoff Research Group

Our research investigates the organization of teaching-and-learning processes in family settings and schools. We are currently working with people varying in extent of participation in schooling in several cultural communities, including middle-class European-American and indigenous Central and North American and Mexican-heritage communities. (Other cultural communities are also of interest.)

We are especially interested in the idea that in indigenous communities of Central America and North America, children are supported in learning through keenly observing ongoing community events in anticipation of growing participation, and collaborative group engagement. Our research suggests that experience in school as well as integration in community life play important roles in the forms of learning common in children's communities. With increasing participation in Western schooling, the learning approaches of both Mayan and US Mexican-heritage participants resemble those of middle-class US European-heritage participants.

A good overview of our research:

Rogoff, B., Paradise, R., Mejía Arauz, R., Correa-Chávez, M., & Angelillo, C. (2003). Firsthand learning by intent participation. Annual Review of Psychology, 54. Available online.

See also The Cultural Nature of Human Development

We have also been studying the processes of teaching and learning in an innovative elementary school that prioritizes learning as a community. This is a public school committed to collaborative relations between adults and children, as well as among children. It organizes the curriculum around the interests of the children, teachers, and parent volunteers. Learning together: Children and adults in a school community.