This volume contains a collection of critical reflections by teachers and administrators in open and distance education. They highlight educational problems and issues of a more general nature caused by the increased use of distance education within conventional higher education institutions.

Behind the hype of the "virtual university" lies real change in the way practitioners approach university teaching. This book focuses on the changes to teaching both on and off campus that have either come from, or themselves influenced the development of educational technologies.

This book suggests that apparently unrelated vignettes of Mikhail Gorbachev, Robert Mugabe, and Harold Wilson are closely connected and illustrates that the concept of distance education may be seen as one of those innovations which was forged on the frontier of European expansion overseas.

"An excellent text for encouraging students to think critically about key public relations issues. Not only does it help students to develop a deeper appreciation of public relations, it also helps them to develop valuable learning skills."- Amanda Coady, The Hague University"A typically excellent piece of work from Jacquie L′Etang. Critical of every basic concept and provocative to all students. Ideal for second and final year undergraduates, plus ...

As adults, we are all continually involved in learning, with increasing numbers of us engaged in more formalized forms of learning; that is, in education or training. All those involved in the broad field of adult education and training will come into contact with many specialist ideas or concepts. It is often assumed of students that they already have a general understanding of these concepts, their meanings, applicability and inter-relationships. This is not always the case. This book ex...

School leadership and management are fundamental components of school improvement. This is the first study of its kind to relate the principles of effective leadership to the broad spectrum of school life in Ireland.A key resource for school leaders in their personal and professional study, this book critically appraises issues in leading and managing schools. The editors bring together an array of renowned scholars to inform and stimulate the debate on the future of leadership dev...

Although the concept of policy networks is now well-established in the field, most research has to content itself with description and analysis of their contribution to policy failure. This book goes further. It accepts policy networks as a fundamental characteristic of modern societies and presents an overview of the strategies for the management of these networks, as well as illustrating the various strategies for intervention.

The impetus for this book is the shift in welfare policy in Western Europe from state responsibilities to individual and community responsibilities. The book examines the ways in which policies associated with advanced liberalism and New Public Management can be identified as influencing professional practices to promote personalisation, participation, empowerment, recovery and resilience. In examining the concept of ‘responsibilisation’ from the point of view of both the ‘responsibilised ...

This book provides an invaluable guide to undertaking development fieldwork in both the developing world and in western contexts. It takes you through all the key stages in development research and covers:Research design and the roles of quantitative and qualitative methods.Research using archival, textual and virtual data, along with using the internet ethically.Practical as well as personal issues, including funding, permissions, motivation and attitude....

This book offers practical suggestions on how you can engage with particular aspects of the UKPSF, including the dimensions of practice, to achieve HEA accreditation.

In today’s society, people and organisations increasingly undergo processes of transition. Experiences of change affect all areas of life: our jobs, relationships, status, communities, engagement in civil society, lifestyles, even understandings of our own identity. Each person must expect and make ready for transitions, engaging in learning as a fundamental strategy for handling change. This is where lifelong learning steps in. From career guidance to third age programmes, from ‘learning ...

Drawing together current thinking and research by leading writers in the field, this Reader will help you to understand and critically analyse key strategic aspects of educational leadership, including:- leadership perspectives and values- external and internal contexts- autonomy and accountability- partnership and collaboration- leading strategy and change.The book explores major challenges for educational leaders in managing the increasingl...