Essays on Pedagogy

Robin Alexander is Fellow of Wolfson College at Cambridge University, UK, Professor of Education Emeritus at Warwick University, UK, and Director of the Primary Review. His Culture and Pedagogy (2001) won the Outstanding Book Award of the American Educational Research Association.

Professor Harry Daniels, University of Bath, UK:This would be one of the rare books that students might well elect to buy – it would certainly be bought by staff - on all courses related to education and pedagogyThe conceptualisation of pedagogy in this book and the research base from the writing is developed is world leadingIt will last for some time and should be open to a relatively straightforward second editionIs the author a recognised authority in this field?Most definitelyDo you recommend that we should publish this book?YESProfessor Donald McIntyre, University of Cambridge, UK:There is a real need for this book. Pedagogy is going to be one of the central issues of educational debate in the next few years, especially in the UK, but also in the USA. In the UK, the DfEE are themselves promoting debate about pedagogy, as are the GTCE and also many academic critics of the government. Furthermore, pedagogy is very much a continental European concept and British discussion of it is likely to bridge the gap between Anglo-American and European educational discussion as nothing else could. Robin Alexander is undoubtedly the leading Anglo-American thinker and writer on the subject of pedagogy and is very highly esteemed on both sides of the Atlantic, especially since the publication of his very important book, Culture and Pedagogy. Everything he himself suggests about the likely sales of this proposed book is correct.I predict sales of 50,000 in the UK, 20,000 in the USA and 20,000 elsewhere.The book will be used, in most initial teacher education and advanced courses, as recommended reading.I don’t think that there are yet any real competitors for this. And, although there will be competitors in the next few years, this book will be distinctive and important for a long time, because of the distinctive reputation of its author. He is the recognised authority in the field.Without any doubt, publish this book.Professor Andrew Pollard, Institute of Education, University of London, UK:I’m sorry but I am a bit too pressed to do this just at the moment. I will say however that Robin Alexander is probably the best academic writing on pedagogy in the UK at present – and I’d snap him up whilst you have the chance!

• 1. Introduction 2. Pedagogy goes East 3. Principle, pragmatism and compliance 4. Beyond dichotomous pedagogies 5. Talking, teaching, learning 6. Pedagogy for a world in peril 7. Words and Music