Andrea A. diSessa
Papers
1
Total Citations
4
H-Index
1
About
Andrea A. diSessa is a towering figure in science education, renowned for pioneering work in conceptual change, computational literacy, and the epistemology of physics learning. His foundational contributions include the theory of "phenomenological primitives" (p-prims)—intuitive knowledge structures that shape how students understand physics—and the development of Boxer, a groundbreaking computational environment for learning. diSessa’s research has profoundly influenced how educators think about the transition from naive to expert scientific reasoning, emphasizing that conceptual change is not mere replacement but a complex reorganization of knowledge. His book *Changing Minds: Computers, Learning, and Literacy* is a seminal text, and his work has garnered thousands of citations, with his most influential papers—such as those on p-prims and computational media—each cited over 1,000 times. A recipient of the American Educational Research Association’s Distinguished Contributions to Research in Education Award, diSessa continues to shape debates on the role of technology in learning and the nature of scientific understanding. His recent commentary on conceptual change and developmental teaching underscores his enduring engagement with foundational issues in education.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Conceptual Change and Developmental Teaching: Comment on Gennen4 citations · 2023