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Contemporary Issues in Learning and Teaching
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Contemporary Issues in Learning and Teaching

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December 2010 | 232 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd
This comprehensive textbook looks at current issues in learning and teaching across the three key areas of policy, learning and practice. It will help you to think critically on your Education course, and to make connections between the processes of learning and the practicalities of teaching. Contemporary Issues in Learning and Teaching addresses key issues in primary, secondary and special education.

The contributors reflect on current thinking and policy surrounding learning and teaching, and what it means to be a teacher today. Looking at the practice of teaching in a wider context allows you to explore some of the issues you will face, and the evolving expectations of your role in a policy-led environment. The book focuses on core areas of debate including:

  • education across different contexts and settings
  • teaching in an inclusive environment
  • Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for practitioners

Each chapter follows the same accessible format. They contain case studies and vignettes providing examples and scenarios for discussion; introduction and summary boxes listing key issues and concepts explored in the chapter; key questions for discussion reflection; and further reading.

This essential text can be used across undergraduate and postgraduate courses, including BEd/BA degrees, initial teacher-training courses, and Masters in Education programs.

 


Margery McMahon, Christine Forde and Margaret Martin
Introduction: Contemporary Issues in Learning and Teaching
 
PART ONE: POLICY
Margery McMahon
Section Overview
Robert Doherty
Critically Reading Educational Policy
Margery McMahon
Schools and Schooling
Cathy Fagan
Education and Work
George Head
Inclusion and Pedagogy
 
PART TWO: LEARNING
Margaret Martin
Section Overview
Mike Carroll
Collaborative Professional Inquiry
Mary Wingrave
Nurture Groups and Inclusion
Georgina Wardle
Children's Social Relationships
Niamh Stack and Margaret Sutherland
Gifted and Talented Education
 
PART THREE: PRACTICE
Christine Forde
Section Overview
Fiona Patrick and Alastair McPhee
Professional Identity
Margaret Martin
Professional Learning Communities
Christine Forde
Being a Teacher Leader
Margaret McCulloch
Interprofessional Approaches to Practice
 
Conclusion
Penny Enslin
Conclusion: The Future of Education

'It is a highly readable and accessible book which follows a rather unusual format in that it reveals a multilayered structure, moving through policy, the learning context, and finally, the professional practice of teaching. In doing so, it challenges us to ask questions of our own beliefs and values, the dominant discourses and policy frameworks in which we work, and locates these discussions in an increasingly globalised world...In summary, this book is one which I would exhort teachers, and indeed teacher educators to read. It is grounded in a strong reality of contemporary education practice, while at the same time presents the academic and intellectual challenge that is helpful, indeed necessary, for those teachers engaged in continuing professional development' -
ESCalate

'Gives a balanced, credible overview of the issues, well grounded in reality. A clear strength is that it also provides some highly pertinent and very important messages that permeate through the various sections and chapters. This book will make readers think and lead them to question their own views, professional practices and beliefs.

'This book will be on our recommended reading lists, not only for our ITET courses, but also for our BA Childhood Studies students, and even for our MA/MEd students. It is a book that can be used in a variety of ways and at various levels of engagement, depending on the audience, their needs and level of experience' - Tony Elliott, Senior Lecturer,College of Education and Lifelong Learning, Bangor University, Wales


A very good read for the our FD and BA students studying Pedagogy. Consolidates contemporary issues in the teaching sector at the moment.

Mrs Annette Trilk
Child care, Wakefield College
August 22, 2015

This is an excellent text, written by estsablished and well respected prectitioners and authors. A must for all Masters level Education courses in Scotland.

Mr Hugh Smith
Education (Ayr), University of the West of Scotland
January 21, 2014

A useful text for first year Foundation Degree students in learning support, who want to begin to read more deeply

Miss Caroline Meredith
School of Education and Innovation, Bishop Grosseteste University
July 8, 2013

This is a very good text for students beginning their Masters level studies in Education. I have recommended Contemporary Issues in Learning and Teaching as a core text for our MEd students.

I like the level of detailed discussion on areas such as critically reading of educational policy; School and schooling; Inclusion and pedagogy and see these as key chapters. This is a very accessible read for students new to masters level work

Dr Stephen Day
Education (Ayr), University of the West of Scotland
February 13, 2013

This key text is so refreshing because it does not follow the more traditional 'education studies' format, but instead examines key contemporary issues and thus serves to support beginning teachers as they learn to grapple with the diverse challenges of 21st century teaching.

Mr Steve Watts
Faculty of Education and Society, Sunderland University
December 14, 2012

This is an interesting book that will support students to think about the theory related to policy, learning and practice and how this can be linked to their own practice. Supportive of reflective work practice in general as well as linking to many other areas that would be discussed throughout many child care courses. It is good to see reference to the whole of the Uk,

Mrs Janet Harvell
Early Years, Bridgwater College
May 18, 2012

This book explores a range of perspectives on current educational practice.The sections on policy and professionalism are very poinant for the FE sector at this present time.

Mrs Adele Sewell
tEACHER TRAINING , Bishop Burton College
May 2, 2012

A very useful book in terms of an evaluation of nurture groups and inclusion

Mrs Jenny Thompson
Education , Derby University
October 18, 2011

A clearly set out text, which enables the students to identify key issues and develop their understanding

Ms Karen Perry
insistitute of education, Manchester Metropolitan University
August 3, 2011

Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapter 3: Schools and Schooling


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