Life in Schools and Classrooms: Past, Present and Future [Hardcover]

This book discusses key aspects of life in schools and classrooms, and surveys the changes that have occurred over the years in educational  research, policy making and practice in these school and classroom settings. It not only examines cutting-edge research in these areas, but also showcases good practices in the field. Among the topics reviewed are recent developments in assessment, methods for collecting and analysing data on classroom practice, school leadership and the pros and cons of class size and small-class teaching; topics which are currently hotly debated in education systems around the globe.  As such, the book objectively examines the various debates, and surveys the full range of evidence available. Education researchers, policy makers and practitioners often hold differing views about the reasons for teacher and student behaviour in classrooms and, for example, its relevance to class size. Many of these views are based on gut feelings rather than hard evidence. Unfortunately, these three groups, with differing perspectives, often talk past each other rather than engage in a productive, mutually beneficial dialogue. The book builds an effective bridge between researchers, policy makers and practitioners regarding the impact of these various aspects of classroom life, so that the viewpoints of each can be carefully considered and evaluated.Section 1 Introduction.- Chapter 1 Life in Schools and Classrooms: Past, Present and Future - An Overview.- Chapter 2 The Research and Writing of Professor Maurice Galton: His Contribution to the Field.- Section 2: Historical, International and Policy Perspectives.- Chapter 3 Social Learning Norwegian Classrooms and Schools - Educational Research in Perspective.- Chapter 4 How Research Messages get Sidetracked by Governments.- Chapter 5 The Development of Research on Small Class Teaching in China.- Chapter 6 Teacher Education and the University: The Global Reform Imperative.- Chapter 7 What tyl£Z