Understanding Education Studies

This book explores undergraduate education programmes in a new way. Written by those at the forefront of teaching and learning, it encourages students to delve beneath the surface of their degree subject and reveals important insights about the how, why and where next for education studies. With contributions from course leaders, tutors, current students and recent graduates, this book offers insights from nearly 60 authors based in 20 different institutions from five different countries. The chapters offer opportunities for readers to consider their own learning experiences in a wider context, enhance their understanding of the degree course and actively shape the education studies community of the future. Each chapter is written in an accessible way, with 'questions to consider' throughout and 'recommended readings' at the end to advance readers' thinking and reflections. Chapters cover topics such as: - Education Studies' development as a degree subject - Its evolving identity, values and purposes - Teaching and assessment approaches in undergraduate education programmes - How the subject develops students' professional aptitudes and transferable skills - Possibilities for advancing inclusion, equity and justice in education at degree level These 'behind the scenes' factors are brought to the fore through case studies and examples of how lecturers and students make sense of their teaching and learning. With its unique approach to examining these issues, this book is essential for students of Education Studies at undergraduate level while also being relevant for staff and postgraduate students in education.

Mark Pulsford is an Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Education Studies at the University of Warwick. Rebecca Morris is an Associate Professor in the Department of Education Studies at the University of Warwick. Ross Purves is an Associate Professor of Music Education at the Institute of Education, University College London's Faculty of Education and Society.

1. Introduction Section 1: Positioning Education Studies 2. Education Studies as an Undergraduate University Subject: A Short History 3. An International Insight into Education Studies 4. Exploring the Identity of an Undergraduate Education Programme Section 2: Practices and Pedagogies of Education Studies 5. Knowing Learning Matters 6. Discovering your Philosophy of Education through Digital Storytelling 7. Assessment for Transformation: Adopting a Humanist Approach to Assessment and Feedback on a BA Education Course 8. Student Achievement and Wellbeing: Understanding Motivation through Self-Determination Theory 9. Taking a Global Perspective: The Nature and Value of Comparative and International Education (CIE) in UK Universities 10. Being 'International': The Opportunities and Challenges of Studying Education as an International Student 11. Learning about Research Methods: A Case Study 12. Education for Sustainability: Connecting Students to Outdoor Learning via Forest School 13. The Role and Value of Arts-Based Learning for Education Studies Section 3: Challenge and Change in Education Studies 14. Education and Democracy: The Public Sphere Reclaimed for Educational Study 15. The Role of Social Justice Theory in Education Studies 16. Inclusive Curriculum Matters: Co-creating a Decolonised Education Curriculum Through Student Voices 17. Speaking through Silence: Embracing Fear and Shame in Anti-racist Education 18. Understanding Identity and Positionality through Student-Staff Interactions on an Education Studies Undergraduate Programme 19. Men and Masculinities on Undergraduate Education Studies Degrees 20. Rebalancing Power Relations in Teacher-Student Co-creation Section 4: The Personal and Professional in Education Studies 21. Employability and Pedagogies for Employability in Education Studies 22. Career Identity, Employability and Placements in Education Studies 23. Placements as Mediational Transitions: An Opportunity for Negotiated, Identity-shaping Make-belief Experiences 24. More than your Degree Title: Transferable Skills, Employability, and Diverse Opportunities for Education Students