Funds of Knowledge Research: Generative Logic and Educational Innovation

The concept of Funds of Knowledge (FOK)is derived from the family education study of immigrant working-class children in the field of educational anthropology, which contends that working class and the underprivileged have the cultural power to adapt to the environment, and school education should be connected with this to effectively improve learning achievement of students. FOK integrated sociocultural historical theory and anthropological researches by Vygotsky has specific theoretical goals and inherent characteristics. Contrary to the logic of cultural defect model denouncing the culture of the underlying group, FOK advocates affirming the cultural power of disadvantaged groups. This subversive understanding has innovated the researches and practice of education equality, and has continuously expanded in many fields such as curricula, teaching, teacher professional development and family-school cooperation in western countries. However, China currently lacks attention to conception of FOK, combing the research context of the FOK systematically is of great value for promoting local education equality, innovating teaching and boosting family-school cooperation.