Lingering with the Works of Ted T. Aoki

Book excerpt: This unique collection of essays from emerging and established curriculum theory scholars documents individuals’ personal encounters and lingering interactions with Ted T. Aoki and his scholarship. The work illuminates the impact of Aoki’s lifework both theoretically and experientially. Featuring many of the field’s top scholars, the text reveals Aoki’s historical legacy and the contemporary significance of his work for educational research and practice. The influence of Aoki’s ideas, pedagogy, and philosophy on lived curriculum is vibrantly examined. Themes include tensionality, multiplicity, and bridging of difference. Ultimately, the text celebrates an Aokian "way of being" whilst engaging a diversity of perspectives, knowledges, and philosophies in education to reflect on the contribution of his work and its continual enrichment of curriculum scholarship today. This text will benefit researchers, academics, and educators with an interest in curriculum studies, educational research, teacher education, and the philosophy of education more broadly. Those specifically interested in international and comparative education, as well as interdisciplinary approaches – which include perspectives in arts, language and literacy, sciences, technology, and higher education curriculum – will also benefit from this book.