Chapter Three: Women’s Ways of Knowing: a Review and Critique

In this chapter I aim to provide a review and critique of Women’s Ways of Knowing: The Development of Self, Voice and Mind (Belenky et al., 1986). The ideas that this book have given rise to are especially relevant to this thesis. I first read this book within a few years of its initial publication. Its ideas had resonance for me and gave me the tools to describe my own learning history. Furthermore, I believe it shaped my emergent ‘living theory’ of what developmental education required, in turn, influencing the design of the MAPOD, in respect of an approach to learning based on a community of learners. During my inquiry, I have read this book many times, developing with each reading a deeper understanding of the text, helping me clarify over time how I could improve my practice.