This much-anticipated fifth edition of Exploring Education offers an alternative to traditional foundations texts by combining a point-of-view analysis with primary source readings. Pre- and in-service teachers will find a solid introduction to the foundations disciplines -- history, philosophy, politics, and sociology of education -- and their application to educational issues, including school organization and teaching, curriculum and pedagogic practices, education and inequality, and school reform and improvement. This edition features substantive updates, including additions to the discussion of neo-liberal educational policy, recent debates about teacher diversity, updated data and research, and new selections of historical and contemporary readings. At a time when foundations of education are marginalized in many teacher education programs and teacher education reform pushes scripted approaches to curriculum and instruction, Exploring Education helps teachers to think critically about the "what" and "why" behind the most pressing issues in contemporary education.

Education has become dominated by testing, standards, interventions, strategies and political policy. Yet while elements such as these are important, Exploring Education and Childhood contends it is childhood - including its sociology and psychology - that is the vital holistic context for teaching and learning. Written by a team of specialists who bring both experience of classroom teaching, teacher training, and of rigorous research and scholarship, each chapter examines a topic that is of vital importance to teaching and the work of teachers. The book explores examples of educational practice that illuminate contemporary problems and future possibilities for education; develops educational theory to better understand practice and policy; and critically evaluates education policy in the international context. With an emphasis on reflection and deep thinking - something that all the best teachers are able to do - key issues in the book include: the voice of the child metacognitive strategies agency, pedagogy and curriculum performativity, standards, and school readiness educational settings and new technology teacher expertise and agency diversity and child agency families, society and school choice. Illustrated with powerful examples of practice, together with key questions for reflection and further reading, Exploring Education and Childhood challenges education professionals, policy makers, and all peple with an interest in education to envision a new future. It will be essential reading for all student teachers and teachers, and is particular appropriate for Masters-level research, professional studies, Education Studies.

This textbook prepares early childhood educators (ages birth to age 8) for the variety of roles (advocate, facilitator, planner, mediator, etc.) they must assume in working with children, parents, colleagues, principals, administrators, and the community at large. This book addresses the critical issues in the field of early childhood education with an emphasis on the transformational roles of all early childhood professionals. Each chapter discusses these roles in depth so readers will be best prepared to face realities of the field, such as how to be accountable to standards, to collaborate with families, to develop intentional and meaningful curriculum and assessment, to teach children in a diverse and inclusive classroom environment, and to use developmentally appropriate principles and practices so that every child will learn and succeed.

Describes the many ways in which humans use nature and how animals and plants exist in the wild.

In this revolutionary book, a renowned computer scientist explains the importance of teaching children the basics of computing and how it can prepare them to succeed in the ever-evolving tech world. Computers have completely changed the way we teach children. We have Mindstorms to thank for that. In this book, pioneering computer scientist Seymour Papert uses the invention of LOGO, the first child-friendly programming language, to make the case for the value of teaching children with computers. Papert argues that children are more than capable of mastering computers, and that teaching computational processes like de-bugging in the classroom can change the way we learn everything else. He also shows that schools saturated with technology can actually improve socialization and interaction among students and between students and teachers. Technology changes every day, but the basic ways that computers can help us learn remain. For thousands of teachers and parents who have sought creative ways to help children learn with computers, Mindstorms is their bible.

Career Exploration and Development in Childhood presents chapters from leading figures in the field of childhood career exploration and development. The first substantive edited collection of its kind, this book makes an important contribution to our understanding of children’s career development. It provides cutting-edge theory, research and practice for understanding and fostering career exploration and development during childhood, across a wide spectrum of international settings. Divided into five sections that reflect the authors’ perspectives on critical aspects of children’s career development, chapters include relevant research, as well as the practical application of concepts, issues and strategies for career interventions with children. The book includes sequential sections on theory, research, contextual influences, assessment, and the facilitation of career exploration and development. Perspectives from both developed and developing world contexts consider traditional approaches to career education, as well as career development learning in childhood. The collaborations evident in the chapter authorship reflect the significant internationalisation of the field of child career development. The book synthesises key issues and presents innovative recommendations that will not only enhance our understanding of children’s career development, but will set the agenda for the future of the field. It will be of key interest to researchers, academics and postgraduate students in the fields of career development, career guidance, education, childhood, child development and counselling.

"The role of men in early childhood education and care is crucial for the future of all children growing up in a gender sensitive world. Achieving greater diversity and gender balance in the workforce has proved a challenging goal, despite concerted efforts on the part of individuals, institutions, and governments around the world. Many men remain reluctant to enter the profession, and once they choose this work, many leave. This book explores how men in the field make their career decisions to remain in or leave the profession. Taking a broad international perspective and exploring the role of gender in these career decisions, contributors from around the globe unpack how gender concepts influence men's career trajectories. Through their collaborative research, the team of 17 gender and early childhood researchers investigate various critical and relevant factors such as professionalisation, workplace environment, leadership, day to day interactions in the workplace, societal considerations, internal motivations, agency, masculinities, and critical moments in career decision making. Using cultural, racial, ethnic, and social class lenses to examine men's career decisions over their professional lives, the contributors' unique approach uncovers the complexity of the issue and offers evidence-based recommendations for policy both on national and local levels. These include practical suggestions to directors and managers who care about achieving a gender-mixed workforce. Accessible and enlightening, this is a unique resource for scholars, policy makers, and any others in the education community who support a gender balance the inclusion of men in early childhood education"--