Introduction to Education Studies

Introduction to Education Studies

by Diana M Burton (Author), Diana M Burton (Author), Nick Peim (Author), Steve Bartlett (Author)

Synopsis

`This fills you in methodically on the background of teaching, including education research on issues such as psychological theory and social aspects' - Ruler

`The authors have provided an important resource for student study in education. Importantly, it reinforces the necessity of a multi-disciplinary approach to the understanding of contested educational process and practices in a contemporary context' - Dave Trotman, Escalate

'It's a paradox of the times that if you take a first degree in education you are unlikely to have much contact with education theory. Today's teacher training is too practical for that. But if your degree is in sports science, drama, philosophy or psychology and the like, it is more than probable that you'll be studying an education module. No bad thing, either: most people go through schooling without questioning what is happening to them.

It's for this second group that An Introduction to Education Studies, edited by Steve Bartlett, Diana Burton and Nick Peim (Paul Chapman Publishing GBP16.99) is written. And very good it is, too. It explains clearly and crisply why education is important and why it will always be contested, what we mean (for example) by knowledge and attainment , and how social issues and perspectives affect educational policies and outcomes. It explains, with a refreshing absence of jargon, why theory still matters. It could be useful for students of education , too - and as a handy work of reference for hard-pressed teachers.

One of its topics is mixed-ability teaching. Current orthodoxy holds that selection and/or ability setting is necessary to maximise pupils' attainment. Orthodoxy, though, is not always firmly founded, and the authors of Ability Grouping in Education (Judith Ireson and Susan Hallam, Paul Chapman Publishing GBP16.99) cite extensive evidence from school and classroom practice to argue that rigid banding or setting may disadvantage weaker pupils' - Michael Duffy, Times Educational Supplement

`Recommended reading for all' - R P Singh, Journal of Educational Planning and Administration

This book is for the undergraduate student of education studies as well as for practitioners embarking on a higher degree.

It provides a grounding for students new to the subject unlike many texts which assume an already high level of knowledge of the area. With extensive experience of teaching and course development at both under-graduate and post-graduate level, the authors use a multidisciplinary approach to the study of education. Drawing on their knowledge of the discipline they synthesize themes in a way which positions education as a study in its own right.

Aspects covered include:

- the nature and purposes of education,

- research in education,

- ideologies and the curriculum,

- social and psychological explanations for pupil/student achievement and

- an analysis of policy developments in compulsory education.

This book will be essential reading for students on educational studies courses.

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More Information

Format: Paperback
Pages: 288
Edition: First
Publisher: SAGE Publications Ltd
Published: 26 Jul 2001

ISBN 10: 0761970169
ISBN 13: 9780761970163

Author Bio
Steve's research interests are in practitioner research where he has worked with networks of teachers on the development of their classroom evaluations. He has also been involved with the development of Education Studies as a subject in HE. Steve has been chair of the British Education Studies Association and was more recently involved in the review of the Education Studies Subject Benchmarks for QAA. Steve currently teaches research methods on the master's in leadership and management and education studies on the combined awards program. Diana Burton is Professor of Education and Director of the Centre for Developmental and Applied Research in Education at the University of Wolverhampton. She was formerly Pro Vice-Chancellor and Professor of Education at Liverpool John Moores University, where she was previously Dean of Education. She worked for many years at Manchester Metropolitan University leading teacher education programmes and was a secondary school teacher before that. Diana has a Masters and PhD in the field of Educational Psychology. She is the author of a number of books and articles on pupil learning, teacher development, educating children with behavioural, emotional and social disadvantage, citizenship and social justice. She is a fellow of the Royal Academy for the Society of the Arts, and the Higher Education Academy and an active member of the British Education Research Association.