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Education: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) [Paperback]

Gary Thomas
4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
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Book Description

28 Mar 2013 0199643261 978-0199643264
From the schools of ancient times to the present day, Gary Thomas explores how and why education has evolved has it has. Examining education worldwide, he explains the way schools work, noting how curricula are remarkably consistent around the world. Delving into some of the big questions, Thomas explores the history of education in this Very Short Introduction. Considering various styles such as progressive versus formal, he also explores the ideas of some of the big theorists, including Piaget and Vygotsky.

Looking at different forms of education and styles of teaching, he considers the ways in which education is being improved by matching styles of learning to teaching, and ensuring that schools are more inclusive and meaningful for a broader range of students. He finishes by considering the ways in which education may develop over the coming century.

ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

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Education: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) + Fifty Modern Thinkers on Education: From Piaget to the Present Day (Routledge Key Guides)
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Product details

  • Paperback: 160 pages
  • Publisher: OUP Oxford (28 Mar 2013)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0199643261
  • ISBN-13: 978-0199643264
  • Product Dimensions: 17 x 10.7 x 1 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 39,146 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • See Complete Table of Contents

More About the Author

Hello. I'm Gary Thomas. I'm a professor of education at the University of Birmingham. My aim in my books is to tell people about social research without being pompous and without using silly words such as 'hegemony'. I'd like to know if you think I've succeeded so if you have any (polite) comments or suggestions please contact me at g.thomas.3@bham.ac.uk

Product Description

Review

It's a real gem of a book that pulls ideas together, that challenges and inspires - and that makes you laugh. Highly recommended. (Times Higher Education Supplement)

...an elegant and engaging work. Gary Thomas has sketched key issues with admirable economy and insight. (Professor Chris Husbands, Director - Institute of Education, University of London)

About the Author

Gary Thomas is Professor in Education at the University of Birmingham. He has published many books and articles on education and occasionally writes for the Times Higher Education Supplement.

Inside This Book (Learn More)
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars The text is concise and to the point 14 Aug 2013
By Sussman TOP 500 REVIEWER VINE VOICE
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine Review (What's this?)
This is my second foray into `A Very Short Introduction series'. This edition covers the developmental process by which education has evolved through the ages into the present time. The author looked at the way many countries go about formulating their educational process, and the correlation between countries shows, that there is more than just common threads and in most cases they are virtually the same. As this book by definition is meant to be `short' the author seems to be fully conversant with the topics at hand there is no `waffle' here, the text is succinct and to the point. This is not a `dry' treatment of the subjects and questions that are posed, but rather a thought provoking read. Unfortunately education has always been a political `football' in the UK, and the challenges that face British Education are immense - the questions in this text are all too relevant and need to be understood. This book, and the message, it ultimately conveys crosses the parameters of whether this book is just for teachers or similar practitioners, but for anyone interested in education.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Needed for uni 4 Feb 2014
By Rachy
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I needed this for uni great read. Core text for our course. Didn't need to download it in the end though as we got given it for free! Haha oops.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars A little book on a big subject 7 Nov 2013
By elkiedee VINE VOICE
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine Review (What's this?)
I first learned about the Very Short Introduction series a few months ago through a piece of freelance work indexing another volume in the series. They are small, attractive volumes of between 100 and 150 pages, aiming to offer "a stimulating and accessible way into a new subject". Many, including this one, are written by academics but are aimed at an intelligent general reader, assuming no previous knowledge.

Education is a huge subject and a much longer introduction could hardly hope to cover everything, so Gary Thomas, Professor of Education at Birmingham University, explains what he will cover in the introduction. He also sets out briefly his own experience (including difficult experiences as a pupil and working as a teacher and educational psychologist, being a parent and a school governor, before moving into academia).

He then starts with a brief history of European education from ancient Rome and Greece to compulsory schooling, then outlines some of the controversial questions in educational theory and political thinking on education - such as whether education should be about learning facts or learning to think, between progressivism and formalism. His biases are fairly clear - I am sure he is no fan of our current Education Minister (I have no problem with that) but he does also make some fairly commonsense points, for example that very few schools or teachers are at either extreme - most schools mix the two approaches. Then there are questions about the impact of testing and examinations on education, and whether it is possible to reduce inequality through education, or whether particular policies are just perpetuating the problem.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Knowledgable and absorbing 17 Oct 2013
By Jack Chakotay VINE VOICE
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine Review (What's this?)
I finished reading this entry with a sense of understanding the concept of education better. Drawing from historical examples and modes of education, I felt the sense of evolution of education as well as how certain nations approached the educational system. There was plenty to think about the current systems and how they could be improved.

I was EDUCATED. I would recommend.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic little book 2 Oct 2013
By Margaret Gallagher VINE VOICE
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine Review (What's this?)
The history and philosophy of education in one tiny book. And with a damning focus on the way the education system is failing 40% of our children. This book should be required reading for anyone who is aiming to be a teacher. Highly recommended.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent little book 23 Sep 2013
By Don Panik TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine Review (What's this?)
This is a well written account of the history of education, surveying from an international persptive the various approaches and ideas that which have held sway in educational philosophy and practice.

Like the others in the OUP series, these little books manage to get a lot across in a little space. Thomas is an excellent guide to a wide subject - he writes clearly and holds the readers interest throughout.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Brevity, rather than oversimplification 10 Sep 2013
By Andrew Sutherland VINE VOICE
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine Review (What's this?)
Can't go wrong with the Very Short Introduction To... series. Don't be fooled by the name: these are NOT dummies' guides or some such. They're pocket sized and tend to be written by experts in the field, with no dumbing down whatsoever. Brevity, rather than oversimplification, is their MO. (I recall basing a half-decent uni essay on Peter Singer's coverage of Marx's theory of history in his VSIT!) Anyway this one's by Gary Thomas, ex-teacher, former educational pysch. and Prof. of Education at Birimingham uni. so he knows his apples. Recommended for those with an interst in the subject.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Great intro to Education 3 Aug 2013
By pacem et amorem TOP 1000 REVIEWER VINE VOICE
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine Review (What's this?)
The Very Short Introduction series of books are great little introductions to whatever the chosen topic or field. This particular one on Education deals with all the major names in Educational Theory, Philosophy and Psychology. This would be an excellent book for the trainee teacher, looking as it does at different teaching methods and forms of education and raising some interesting ideas and debates about educational theory.
This is a super little book, packed choc full of info!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars ideas about the practice of education
What these very short introductions aim to do is give an overview of the ideas behind a topic or a philosophy of it. Read more
Published 14 days ago by Mr. Robert Marsland
5.0 out of 5 stars good book
This book has been useful in my MA Education. It has helped me with my essay and a very informative book.
Published 1 month ago by louise murdoch
4.0 out of 5 stars Pertinent and easy to read
At a time of seismic shift in uk education this book is an easy to read insight into the concept of education and turning it into a system. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Flimo
5.0 out of 5 stars Brief, concise and lives up to the title.
With the start of a new academic year many prospective teachers will be embarking on PCGE and adult teacher training courses. Read more
Published 6 months ago by A. I. McCulloch
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting
This is the first book in the series of Short Introductions that I have read, and I chose a subject in which I have a vested interest, both as a parent, a learner and a teacher. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Angel
4.0 out of 5 stars Enlightening and educating
I have always been involved in education, teaching, training and simulation throughout my career, and really found this book a useful to clarify some concepts and practices. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Five star book
GT is Professor of Education at the University of Birminham and previously worked as a teacher and educational psychologist. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Ms. C. R. Stillman-lowe
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