A Practice Sensibility (eBook)

This book introduces readers to the theory of practice architectures and conveys a way of approaching practice theory through developing a practice sensibility. It shows that, in order to change our practices, we must also change the conditions that make those practices possible. The book draws on everyday life to illustrate how we can see the world by watching it unfold in practices: it argues that life happens in practices. The theory of practice architectures takes the ontological nature of practices seriously by recognising that practices take place in the real world.

Consequently, the book offers a new perspective on how practices happen amidst a vast world of happenings; on how we participate in the 'happening-ness' of the world through our practices. It invites us to consider whether our practices reproduce or aggravate the contemporary environmental crises confronting the Earth, and whether we can transform our current practices to ameliorate these crises. Given its focus and scope, the book will benefit master's and doctoral students in social and educational theory, early career researchers, and established researchers new to practice theory.

Stephen Kemmis is a Professor Emeritus of the School of Education, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga. He is a co-author with Wilfred Carr of Becoming Critical: Knowledge, Education and Action Research (London: Falmer, 1986); with Robin McTaggart and Rhonda Nixon of The Action Research Planner: Doing critical participatory action research (Singapore: Springer, 2014); with Jane Wilkinson, Christine Edwards-Groves, Peter Grootenboer & Laurette Bristol of Changing Practices, Changing Education (Singapore: Springer, 2014); and with Christine Edwards-Groves of Understanding Education: History, politics and practice (Singapore: Springer). His main interests are in education and educational research, practice theory (particularly the theory of practice architectures), and critical participatory action research.

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This book introduces readers to the theory of practice architectures and conveys a way of approaching practice theory through developing a practice sensibility. It shows that, in order to change our practices, we must also change the conditions that make those practices possible. The book draws on everyday life to illustrate how we can see the world by watching it unfold in practices: it argues that life happens in practices. The theory of practice architectures takes the ontological nature of practices seriously by recognising that practices take place in the real world. Consequently, the book offers a new perspective on how practices happen amidst a vast world of happenings; on how we participate in the happening-ness of the world through our practices. It invites us to consider whether our practices reproduce or aggravate the contemporary environmental crises confronting the Earth, and whether we can transform our current practices to ameliorate these crises. Given its focus and scope, the book will benefit master s and doctoral students in social and educational theory, early career researchers, and established researchers new to practice theory.