Understanding Learning

Understanding Learning contains specially chosen material which brings together issues of theory and practice. It invites teachers to examine, review and research their own practice in their own personal context.

The book's significant contribution is that it re-emphasizes the multifaceted nature of education and deliberately takes a multidisciplinary approach. It does this through a consideration of cultural, political and theoretical perspectives in Education.

Section one shows something of the dilemmas, tension and duality of thinking which is inherent in a concept of education for democracy. Section two considers what it means to be a learner and how this knowledge forces us to re-examine and extend our conceptualizations of learning. Section three considers the importance of achievement, how this might be measured and the possible outcomes of assessment. Section four illustrates how children's self identity is affected by their experiences in school. It also draws attention to the powerful issues of race, social class and parental power in terms of 'cultural capital'.

PART ONE: INFLUENCES ON EDUCATION
The Politics of Educational Ideas - Wilfred Carr and Anthony Harnett
A Redefinition of Liberal and Humanistic Education - Nimrod Aloni
New Progressivism - Peter Silcock
PART TWO: VIEWS OF LEARNING
Minds at Work - Mara Krechevsky and Steve Seidel
Applying Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom
The Acquisition of a Child by a Learning Disability - R P McDermott
Situated Cognition and How to Overcome It - Carl Bereiter
Children Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow - Mary Jane Drummond
PART THREE: OUTCOMES OF ASSESSMENT
Liberating the Learner through Assessment - Patricia Broadfoot
Gendered Learning and Achievement - Patricia Murphy
Raising Standards - Judith Ireson and Susan Hallam
Is Ability Grouping the Answer?
Wide Eyes and Open Minds - Cathy Nutbrown
Observing, Assessing and Respecting Children s Early Achievements
PART FOUR: CULTURAL CAPITAL AND LEARNING
I ll Be a Nothing - Diane Reay and Dylan Wiliam
Structure, Agency and the Construction of Identity through Assessment
Learning and Pupil Career in a Primary School - Andrew Pollard and Ann Filer
The Case of William
Home-School Links - Sally Tomlinson
Researching Home-School Relations - Carol Vincent
A Critical Approach