An Introduction to the Study of Education

This fully updated, fourth edition of An Introduction to the Study of Education provides a comprehensive and reflective introduction to the study of education, inviting students to question what education is, who it is for and what purpose it serves. Taking the reader from the early years through to lifelong learning, it examines all forms of education and learning. This new edition includes ten completely new chapters and a step-by-step guide to essay writing. There is also a companion website to accompany the book, featuring additional chapters which can be visited at www.routledge.com/cw/matheson.This fully updated, fourth edition provides: - a full exploration of the historical, sociological, philosophical and psychological roots of education; - a clear focus on the individual levels of education - preschool, compulsory, post-compulsory and lifelong learning; - the latest debates within special educational needs; - an in-depth examination of learning styles; - insights into the historical development of education and the role of, and background to, research in education; - a focus on current educational practice and diversity across the United Kingdom and Ireland. Written in a clear and accessible style, this is the essential core text for all beginning students on undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Education Studies and all those interested in education today, where it came from and where it is going.

David Matheson has published widely across the field of education in areas such as medical education, teacher training, lifelong learning, comparative education and cultural identity in education. He has extensive experience as an educator and researcher in higher education, adult education and secondary education.

1. What is education? David Matheson 2. Ideology in education in the United Kingdom Catherine Matheson 3. Theories of learning: constructive experience Reg Dennick 4. Thinking philosophically about education; thinking educationally about philosophy Gert Biesta 5. Psychology in education Graham Mitchell 6. Learning styles: implications for teaching and learning John Pelley 7. Assessment Tim Heywood 8. Social and spatial disparity in the history of school provision in England from the 1750s to the 1950s Colin Brock 9. Schooling in Ireland: policy and practice from penal times to the present day Deirdre Raftery and Martina Relihan 10. Education in Scotland David Matheson 11. Education in Wales Alison Murphy 12. Early childhood education and care in the UK Alice Mongiello 13. Compulsory education in the United Kingdom Ian Menter, Carmel Gallagher, Louise Hayward and Dominic Wyse 14. Post-compulsory education (further and higher education) Catherine Matheson and Philip Woodward 15. Lifelong learning Catherine Matheson and David Matheson 16. Comparing educational systems Trevor Corner and Nigel Grant 17. Education and development: the contribution of comparative education Dominique Groux 18. Special educational needs in context: a historical overview Mary Kellett 19. 'Race', ethnicity and education: the English experience John Stanley 20. Schooling and social class Michael Wyness 21. Gender in education Jane Martin 22. Debates in educational research Abdeljalil Akkari and Bernard Wentzel 23. Research in professional contexts Catherine Matheson and David Matheson 24. Afterword: now that I have read about education, how do I write about it? David Matheson Online. Global health education: a transformative learning challenge in undergraduate medical education Raúl Pardíñaz-Solís and Adrian Hastings Online. Accidentally learning to play the violin; or what use is my autobiography in researching lifelong learning? David Matheson Online. E-Learning Heather Rai Online. Learning from mistakes: the Barrowfield Project in Glasgow, Scotland Online Catherine Matheson and David Matheson