Michele Schweisfurth – författare

This novel book demonstrates the polarised logics that exist between exploring cultural, structural, political, and historical contexts as a primary focus for pedagogical research versus an interventionist agenda that isolates pedagogy and its components from their environments.

Combining theoretical discussions with empirical evidence and case studies, the book provides a synthesising approach to both research and educational planning, recognising pedagogy as an open system while acknowledging that not all teaching methods are equal when it comes to enhancing learning. Considering the so-called learning crisis and learning poverty in the context of Sustainable Development Goal 4 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, this book is also sensitive to concerns about the mental health and wellbeing of young people and the sustainability of the planet.

Ultimately providing a timely, informed, and balanced discussion of these issues, this book will appeal to researchers, scholars, and post-graduate and doctoral students working in pedagogical research or international and comparative education, and anyone interested in the relationship between education and international development.

This novel book demonstrates the polarised logics that exist between exploring cultural, structural, political, and historical contexts as a primary focus for pedagogical research versus an interventionist agenda that isolates pedagogy and its components from their environments.

Combining theoretical discussions with empirical evidence and case studies, the book provides a synthesising approach to both research and educational planning, recognising pedagogy as an open system while acknowledging that not all teaching methods are equal when it comes to enhancing learning. Considering the so-called learning crisis and learning poverty in the context of Sustainable Development Goal 4 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, this book is also sensitive to concerns about the mental health and wellbeing of young people and the sustainability of the planet.

Ultimately providing a timely, informed, and balanced discussion of these issues, this book will appeal to researchers, scholars, and post-graduate and doctoral students working in pedagogical research or international and comparative education, and anyone interested in the relationship between education and international development.

Documenting major intellectual and paradigmatic changes in the field of comparative education in the light of the history and development of the journal Comparative Education, this book compiles a selection of articles from forty years of the journal’s distinguished history. It illustrates how changing times have been reflected in the nature and quality of published comparative research.

Contributors explore the impact of key issues such as marketisation, accountability and globalisation upon policy and practice world-wide. They explore how new challenges faced by the social sciences have seen shifts in the contexts, issues and priorities attended to by comparatives and how different approaches to comparative education have influenced the intellectual and professional identities and positioning of those involved.

Bridging theoretically oriented scholarship with empirically grounded research relating to issues of policy and practice and with chapters addressing questions of relevance throughout the world, this book is an invaluable resource of ideas and stimuli for further thinking and research.

Documenting major intellectual and paradigmatic changes in the field of comparative education in the light of the history and development of the journal Comparative Education, this book compiles a selection of articles from forty years of the journal’s distinguished history. It illustrates how changing times have been reflected in the nature and quality of published comparative research.

Contributors explore the impact of key issues such as marketisation, accountability and globalisation upon policy and practice world-wide. They explore how new challenges faced by the social sciences have seen shifts in the contexts, issues and priorities attended to by comparatives and how different approaches to comparative education have influenced the intellectual and professional identities and positioning of those involved.

Bridging theoretically oriented scholarship with empirically grounded research relating to issues of policy and practice and with chapters addressing questions of relevance throughout the world, this book is an invaluable resource of ideas and stimuli for further thinking and research.

Is learner-centred education appropriate for all societies and classrooms?

Learner-centred education (LCE) is a travelling policy, widely promoted by international agencies and national governments. Arguments in favour of this pedagogical tradition refer to theories and evidence from cognitive psychology, claiming that all learners can benefit equally from its judicious use. Beyond the benefits to the individual however, lie a set of assumptions about learner-centred education as a foundation for the building of democratic citizens and societies, suitable for economies of the future. These promises have been questioned by critics who doubt that it is appropriate in all cultural and resource contexts, and there is considerable evidence in the global South of perennial problems of implementation.

In the light of these debates, is LCE still a good development ‘bet’? This book provides an authoritative and balanced investigation of these issues, exploring the contextual factors from global movements to local resourcing realities which have fuelled it as a discourse and affected its practice. In the light of the theoretical underpinnings and research evidence, the book addresses pressing questions: to what extent is learner-centred education a sound choice for policy and practice in developing countries? And if it is a sound choice, under which conditions is it a viable one?

The book is divided into three key parts:

- Learner-centred Education as a Global Phenomenon - Learner-centred Education in Lower and Middle-income Countries - Lessons and Resolutions This book provides a much-needed fresh analysis of the concept and practice of LCE. It will be valuable reading for academics and post-graduates with a focus on comparative and international education, along with policy-makers in developing countries and development agencies.

Is learner-centred education appropriate for all societies and classrooms?

Learner-centred education (LCE) is a travelling policy, widely promoted by international agencies and national governments. Arguments in favour of this pedagogical tradition refer to theories and evidence from cognitive psychology, claiming that all learners can benefit equally from its judicious use. Beyond the benefits to the individual however, lie a set of assumptions about learner-centred education as a foundation for the building of democratic citizens and societies, suitable for economies of the future. These promises have been questioned by critics who doubt that it is appropriate in all cultural and resource contexts, and there is considerable evidence in the global South of perennial problems of implementation.

In the light of these debates, is LCE still a good development ‘bet’? This book provides an authoritative and balanced investigation of these issues, exploring the contextual factors from global movements to local resourcing realities which have fuelled it as a discourse and affected its practice. In the light of the theoretical underpinnings and research evidence, the book addresses pressing questions: to what extent is learner-centred education a sound choice for policy and practice in developing countries? And if it is a sound choice, under which conditions is it a viable one?

The book is divided into three key parts:

- Learner-centred Education as a Global Phenomenon - Learner-centred Education in Lower and Middle-income Countries - Lessons and Resolutions This book provides a much-needed fresh analysis of the concept and practice of LCE. It will be valuable reading for academics and post-graduates with a focus on comparative and international education, along with policy-makers in developing countries and development agencies.

This edited collection was produced to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the journal Comparative Education, one of the most established and prestigious journals in the field. Each chapter was written by a leading scholar of comparative and international education. The collection marks a creative and critical engagement with some of the most important topics in contemporary comparative education, including ‘big data’, pedagogy, adult education, scholarly mobility, and gender. The theme of ‘silences’ connects the papers: while comparative education covers the breadth and depth of educational concerns, it has its own obsessions, but which themes do not receive the attention they deserve?

This book will be of interest to anyone interested in the theory, method and practice of comparative education today or in its development over the past 50 years. It will be informative to all scholars and graduate students concerned with education in its global contexts. In addition, to those readers who situate themselves within the field of comparative and international education, it offers a unique perspective on this important area of inquiry and the activities, preoccupations, absences and communities within it.

This book was originally published as a special issue of Comparative Education.

This edited collection was produced to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the journal Comparative Education, one of the most established and prestigious journals in the field. Each chapter was written by a leading scholar of comparative and international education. The collection marks a creative and critical engagement with some of the most important topics in contemporary comparative education, including ‘big data’, pedagogy, adult education, scholarly mobility, and gender. The theme of ‘silences’ connects the papers: while comparative education covers the breadth and depth of educational concerns, it has its own obsessions, but which themes do not receive the attention they deserve?

This book will be of interest to anyone interested in the theory, method and practice of comparative education today or in its development over the past 50 years. It will be informative to all scholars and graduate students concerned with education in its global contexts. In addition, to those readers who situate themselves within the field of comparative and international education, it offers a unique perspective on this important area of inquiry and the activities, preoccupations, absences and communities within it.

This book was originally published as a special issue of Comparative Education.

Education and Global Justice discusses key themes concerning the relationship between education and global justice in a varied series of highly relevant national contexts. Major international issues such as war, conflict and peace, social justice and injustice, multicultural education, inclusion, privatisation and democracy are explored in relation to the Middle East, Colombia, South Korea, India, Uganda and Pakistan. An interdisciplinary approach is also taken to explore both the nature of global justice and the possibilities for education for global justice in the future. Some of the contents of the book may surprise or even shock readers who like to think that education is inherently and solely a force for good in an unjust world. Instead, in discussing the realities, resistances and challenges facing education for global justice, the contributors show that education can be harmful to individuals and societies while maintaining a hopeful view of education’s potential to contribute to greater global social justice.This book was originally published as a special issue of Educational Review.

Education and Global Justice discusses key themes concerning the relationship between education and global justice in a varied series of highly relevant national contexts. Major international issues such as war, conflict and peace, social justice and injustice, multicultural education, inclusion, privatisation and democracy are explored in relation to the Middle East, Colombia, South Korea, India, Uganda and Pakistan. An interdisciplinary approach is also taken to explore both the nature of global justice and the possibilities for education for global justice in the future. Some of the contents of the book may surprise or even shock readers who like to think that education is inherently and solely a force for good in an unjust world. Instead, in discussing the realities, resistances and challenges facing education for global justice, the contributors show that education can be harmful to individuals and societies while maintaining a hopeful view of education’s potential to contribute to greater global social justice.This book was originally published as a special issue of Educational Review.