eBook downloads, eBook resources & eBook authors
A guide to researching teaching for all trainee teachers in the lifelong learning sector. Supports trainees through their training and into their profession.
Further education colleges now deliver education and training to more students than any other institutions in the post compulsory sector. In these colleges, students from as young as 14 to adults in late old age participate in a wide range of academic and vocational programs, and such diversity makes FE colleges both volatile and stimulating environments in which to work. This new edition incorporates changes to and developments in certain aspects of the FE sector since the first edition was published.
`A welcome and helpful addition to the shelves of tutors and students working on masters programmes. It will be most beneficial supporting students on programmes where there is a substantial research training component. It offers important exemplars of using computer software in qualitative analysis' - Educational Review `This book is aimed at Master's students who are engaging in educational research for the first time. [It] provides teacher-researchers with the additional information they need so they can go on to read further and more in depth, having more confidence in the accessibility of such studies. I found it does this well, and is an ideal point of reference for those who are just embarking on a Master's degree. A useful glossary is provided, giving detailed but 'readable' explanations of key terms and phrases' - Primary Practice Doing Educational Research offers a hands-on guide for students engaged in educational research. It provides a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the key qualitative and quantitative methods necessary for those commencing research for the first time. Through a detailed yet concise explanation, the reader is shown how these methods work and how their outcomes may be interpreted. Providing all the essentials for the first-time researcher, the book includes: · a variety of examples and case studies to illustrate how the methods and techniques can be used in `real-life' contexts · practical guidance on time management planning research projects and writing reports. · a broad coverage - including qualitative and quantitative methodologies, data analysis using computer software, ethical issues and the writing-up and presentation of data. This engaging book has been written by a team of leading researchers with over sixty years of cumulative experience. It has a student-friendly structure which will make it accessible and popular with undergraduates and postgraduates. It will be an invaluable resource for both students and researchers, helping them to undertake effective research in education.
This book looks at critical reflection as a key skill for all teachers in further education (FE) and an important part of the new Professional Standards. In particular the text explores the key themes of self-awareness, planning, managing behaviour and CPD in relation to reflective practice to demonstrate how it can support those areas of teaching that most often cause concern. The limitations and benefits of reflection are analysed and action research is identified as an important facet in developing professional reflective practice which can in turn enhance both the personal and professional life of FE teachers.
This book guides student researchers through the different stages of small-scale or practitioner research, a common component of study for students training to work in the lifelong learning sector. The authors look at the entire research journey, from planning a research topic and framing research questions, through the process of data collection and analysis, to writing up and presentation. Using a step-by-step approach the book tackles common thorny issues such as: Understanding the different genres of research Discussion of qualitative and quantitative approaches to research The importance of forming research questions and of locating them within current research literature How to do a literature review Dealing with permissions, access and ethics The nuts and bolts of research methods Interpreting data and writing up research findings Together with case studies and examples of real-life research projects that have been completed by the authors’ own students, this book tackles research in a student-friendly and accessible style, carefully unpacking and defining the different terms, concepts and theories that students need to know when beginning research for the first time. This book is essential reading for students who are training to work in the lifelong learning sector or practitioners who are undertaking CPD to maintain their license to practice. “Many teachers training in the lifelong learning sector, as well as those going on to do foundation, honours and masters degrees in education, find the prospect of carrying out educational research for the first time daunting. Thus far, they have been reliant on generic educational research textbooks. Jonathan Tummons’ and Vicky Duckworth’s excellent work now guides them clearly and supportively through the research journey in a way which is underpinned by the authors’ deep understanding of both the sector and nature of the challenge of the research task to the student, using an informal and accessible written style.” Andy Armitage, Head of the Department of Post-Compulsory Education at Canterbury Christ Church University, UK “This book combines sound practical advice with an exploration of the philosophical and methodological concepts underpinning educational research. Often drawing on the authors’ own experiences, it makes a convincing case for the practitioner as researcher and draws clear and appropriate attention to the purposes, uses and dissemination of small scale research.” Susan Wallace, Professor of Continuing Education, Nottingham Trent University, UK
As the number of higher education (HE) courses offered in further education (FE) settings increases, so does the need for teachers and trainee teachers to develop their teaching skills. This text is written for all teachers and trainee teachers in FE. It considers what it means to teach HE in FE and how an HE environment can be created in an FE setting. The text covers day-to-day aspects of teaching including planning and assessment, giving guidance on the unique needs of HE students. Chapters on research and quality assurance support the reader in developing some advanced teaching skills. This is a practical guide for FE teachers and trainee teachers as the sector adapts to the needs of education today.
The 6th edition of this successful textbook, first published in 1997, includes up-dated material on many issues as well as new chapters on lecturing techniques, intelligence, the "nature versus nurture" debate, computer-assisted learning and study techniques. New material is provided on the following areas: advances in teaching theory relating to memory, the transfer of training, research relating to conditioning theory, discipline in colleges and adult learning. All reading references have been thoroughly up-dated and the book has a new appendix, including new "topics for discussion.">
First released in the Spring of 1999, How People Learn has been expanded to show how the theories and insights from the original book can translate into actions and practice, now making a real connection between classroom activities and learning behavior. This edition includes far-reaching suggestions for research that could increase the impact that classroom teaching has on actual learning. Like the original edition, this book offers exciting new research about the mind and the brain that provides answers to a number of compelling questions. When do infants begin to learn? How do experts learn and how is this different from non-experts? What can teachers and schools do-with curricula, classroom settings, and teaching methods--to help children learn most effectively? New evidence from many branches of science has significantly added to our understanding of what it means to know, from the neural processes that occur during learning to the influence of culture on what people see and absorb. How People Learn examines these findings and their implications for what we teach, how we teach it, and how we assess what our children learn. The book uses exemplary teaching to illustrate how approaches based on what we now know result in in-depth learning. This new knowledge calls into question concepts and practices firmly entrenched in our current education system. Topics include: How learning actually changes the physical structure of the brain. How existing knowledge affects what people notice and how they learn. What the thought processes of experts tell us about how to teach. The amazing learning potential of infants. The relationship of classroom learning and everyday settings of community and workplace. Learning needs and opportunities for teachers. A realistic look at the role of technology in education.
'The clear intention of the authors is to motivate, persuade and give confidence to those who might otherwise think that research can only be carried out by teams of university staff' - ESCalate Most Teaching Assistants (TAs) studying for Foundation Degrees need to do Action Research projects. This book acts as an introduction to research methods, and will be especially useful if you are doing such work for the first time. It: " introduces the basic principles and practice of research methods; " provides an overview of the processes involved in Action Research; " shows you how to identify an issue, design and carry out a course of action and evaluate the impact of this action; " uses real case studies from practising TAs. The content of the book relates to both Early Years and Primary settings, and there are case studies from a variety of settings. Anyone studying for a Foundation Degree, or working towards HLTA status, will find this book meets their needs. Claire Taylor is Programme Leader for the Foundation Degree at Bishop Grosseteste College, Lincoln. Min Wilkie is Programme Leader for the Foundation Degree in Educational Studies for Teaching Assistants at the University of Leicester. Judith Baser has worked in a wide range of educational settings, including 5 years as a teaching assistant. More recently, she has run training courses for teaching assistants in ways to support children's learning and development.
Praise for How Learning Works "How Learning Works is the perfect title for this excellent book. Drawing upon new research in psychology, education, and cognitive science, the authors have demystified a complex topic into clear explanations of seven powerful learning principles. Full of great ideas and practical suggestions, all based on solid research evidence, this book is essential reading for instructors at all levels who wish to improve their students' learning." —Barbara Gross Davis, assistant vice chancellor for educational development, University of California, Berkeley, and author, Tools for Teaching "This book is a must-read for every instructor, new or experienced. Although I have been teaching for almost thirty years, as I read this book I found myself resonating with many of its ideas, and I discovered new ways of thinking about teaching." —Eugenia T. Paulus, professor of chemistry, North Hennepin Community College, and 2008 U.S. Community Colleges Professor of the Year from The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education "Thank you Carnegie Mellon for making accessible what has previously been inaccessible to those of us who are not learning scientists. Your focus on the essence of learning combined with concrete examples of the daily challenges of teaching and clear tactical strategies for faculty to consider is a welcome work. I will recommend this book to all my colleagues." —Catherine M. Casserly, senior partner, The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching "As you read about each of the seven basic learning principles in this book, you will find advice that is grounded in learning theory, based on research evidence, relevant to college teaching, and easy to understand. The authors have extensive knowledge and experience in applying the science of learning to college teaching, and they graciously share it with you in this organized and readable book." —From the Foreword by Richard E. Mayer, professor of psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara; coauthor, e-Learning and the Science of Instruction; and author, Multimedia Learning
