Ma: Materiality in Teaching and Learning

Ma is a Japanese concept that explores the spaces between two structures, contributing to teaching and learning research. Material culture studies belief systems, behaviors, and perceptions through artefacts and physical objects, and new materiality challenges assumptions and clichés, allowing for possibilities not yet imagined. Interpretations of ma articulate new definitions to improve the conditions, practices, products, and pedagogies of being a teacher/learner in the twenty-first century.

Format: Hardback
Length: 290 pages
Publication date: 04 June 2019
Publisher: Peter Lang Publishing Inc

The Japanese concept of "ma" holds profound significance in the realm of education. It refers to the interval between two markers, a space that is intentionally and attentively constructed by a conscious awareness of the simultaneous expressions, repressions, or suppressions occurring between two structures. This concept is at the heart of a dialectic exploration, which delves into the spaces between various aspects of human experience, such as private/public, teacher/student, old/new, self/other, and more. Through this exploration, significant research in teaching and learning has been undertaken in recent decades, shedding light on the complexities of human socialization and cognitive development.

Material culture, another integral aspect of education, plays a crucial role in the socialization of human beings into culture. It involves the study of belief systems, behaviors, and perceptions through artefacts and physical objects. By analyzing cultural materials, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their place in the world. The analysis of cultural materials offers sites for concretizing the self and the self in context, allowing individuals to recognize their own biases, assumptions, and stereotypes. Moreover, it provides opportunities for challenging and expanding existing notions of what is possible and conceivable.

New materiality, a concept that emerges in response to the complexities of the twenty-first century, represents a significant shift in our understanding of matter and its agency. It challenges assumptions and clichés by embracing the idea that matter itself has agency. This perspective opens up new possibilities for inquiry and creativity, as it encourages us to think beyond the boundaries of what we previously believed to be true. New materiality approaches accept that matter can be shaped, manipulated, and transformed, and as such, they offer a framework for investigating the intersections at the core of ma.

In this book, we explore the intersections at the core of ma through an investigation of engagements wherein the investigations create something new. By doing so, we aim to demonstrate the layers of the teaching and learning self, highlighting the ways in which ma can be used as a site for epistemological understandings, threshold learnings, and self and curriculum becomings. Through our exploration, we hope to provide new definitions and perspectives that can improve the conditions, practices, products, and pedagogies of being a teacher/learner in the twenty-first century.

In conclusion, the Japanese concept of "ma" and the study of material culture are essential components of education. They offer insights into the complexities of human experience, facilitate self-reflection and growth, and provide a framework for exploring new possibilities in teaching and learning. By embracing new materiality and investigating the intersections at the core of ma, we can create more inclusive and effective educational environments that support the development of all individuals.

Weight: 528g
Dimension: 155 x 229 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781433134517
Edition number: New ed