Contextualised Critical Reflections on Academic Development Practices


Book Description

"This book offers insightful reflections on academic development practices. The contributors engage the reader painstakingly in the dynamics of professional learning and effective teaching. This volume facilitates the examination of the need for reflection that leads to professional maturity. All educational institutions seek teachers who continuously search for effective strategies in improving student success. The contributors uncover a variety of approaches as they evince proven suggestions. The chapters are refreshing and edifying. This book is essential for all teachers, lecturers and trainers who want to improve their teaching practice immensely". Professor Vuyisile T. Msila Researcher at the Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs, University of South Africa.




Contextualised Critical Reflections on Academic Development Practices


Book Description

"This book offers insightful reflections on academic development practices. The contributors engage the reader painstakingly in the dynamics of professional learning and effective teaching. This volume facilitates the examination of the need for reflection that leads to professional maturity. All educational institutions seek teachers who continuously search for effective strategies in improving student success. The contributors uncover a variety of approaches as they evince proven suggestions. The chapters are refreshing and edifying. This book is essential for all teachers, lecturers and trainers who want to improve their teaching practice immensely". Professor Vuyisile T. Msila Researcher at the Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs, University of South Africa.




The Reflective Practitioner in Professional Education


Book Description

How important is it to be a reflective practitioner in education today? This book examines the reflective practitioner role and the scope of reflective activities in professional practice, revealing that critical thinking is rooted in a philosophical debate about notions of truth linked to differing learning approaches.




Reflective Teaching and Learning in Further Education


Book Description

This book looks at critical reflection as a key skill for all teachers in further education (FE) and an important part of the new Professional Standards. In particular the text explores the key themes of self-awareness, planning, managing behaviour and CPD in relation to reflective practice to demonstrate how it can support those areas of teaching that most often cause concern. The limitations and benefits of reflection are analysed and action research is identified as an important facet in developing professional reflective practice which can in turn enhance both the personal and professional life of FE teachers.




EBOOK: Practising Critical Reflection: A Resource Handbook


Book Description

How can professionals learn more easily from their own experience? How can critical reflection be performed in a structured way? How can professionals maintain a critically reflective stance when contexts may be restrictive? Critical reflection in professional practice is popular across many different professions as a way of ensuring ongoing scrutiny and improved practice skills. This accessible handbook focuses on a description and analysis of the theoretical input as well as the approach involved in critical reflection. It also demonstrates some skills, strategies and tools which might be used to practise it. The cross-disciplinary approach taken by the authors will appeal to a wide range of students and professionals and combines neatly with useful discussion of the complex educational and professional issues which arise from the practice of critical reflection. An innovative website containing a variety of useful resources accompanies the book www.openup.co.uk/fook&gardner. Resources include: Extracts from workshops, interviews and lectures Additional articles and readings Sample material for workshop preparation Throughout the book, the authors provide pertinent examples from their own practice, referring to relevant literature, providing annotated bibliographies, and noting where additional resource materials are available to provide further illustration. Practising Critical Reflection is key reading for a variety of students across social work, health sciences and nursing, as well as health care and social welfare professionals.




Student Development in College


Book Description

THE ESSENTIAL STUDENT DEVELOPMENT REFERENCE, UPDATED WITH CUTTING-EDGE THEORY AND PRACTICE Student Development in College is the go-to resource for student affairs, and is considered a key reference for those most committed to conscious and intentional student affairs practice. This third edition includes new chapters on social class, disability, and emerging identity theories, with expanded coverage of faith and gender identity. A new framework provides guidance for facilitating dialogues about theory, teaching theory, and the importance of educators as consumers of theory. Discussion questions conclude each chapter and vignettes are woven throughout to provide practical context for theory. Learning activities in the appendix promote comprehension and application of theory. Get updated on the latest in student development theory and application Consider both the psychosocial and cognitive aspects of identity Learn strategies for difficult dialogues, and the importance of reflection Adopt an integrated, holistic approach to complex student development issues Student Development in College is the ideal resource for today's multifaceted student affairs role. "With five new or expanded chapters and critical updates throughout the text, this third edition expertly presents the complex, multifaceted, and continually evolving nature of the theories that inform scholars and professionals in their research and practice with college students. These authors, consummately aware of the needs of emerging and continuing student affairs professionals, have crafted a text that will be both eminently practical and intellectually engaging for graduate students, professionals, and faculty alike." —Dafina-Lazarus Stewart, associate professor, higher education and student affairs, Bowling Green State University "This third edition of Student Development in College beautifully presents the theoretical terrain of student development by honoring the foundational theories upon which the field was developed and foregrounding newer theories with brand new content and fresh perspectives. The result is a text that is comprehensive, sophisticated, and accessible—and one that is attuned to the contemporary realities of the complexities of student development." —Susan R. Jones, professor, higher education and student affairs, The Ohio State University




Cases on Academic Program Redesign for Greater Racial and Social Justice


Book Description

Faculty and students confront persistent racial, economic, and social inequities in higher education locally, nationally, and globally. To counter these inequities, there has been a recent focus on universities providing an inclusive curriculum that serves the needs of students from a wide range of backgrounds. Inclusive and equitable courses and instruction are crucial in today’s world as calls for racial and social justice grow, particularly in higher education. Universities and instructors must take action and make changes to best serve their students. Cases on Academic Program Redesign for Greater Racial and Social Justice provides an equity-oriented practical guide for those in higher education who are engaged in the work of curricular reform or program development. It also explores practices and approaches to curriculum development that consider program quality and equitable outcomes as mutually beneficial and necessary outcomes. Covering a range of topics such as antiracism and mindful hiring, it is ideal for teachers, instructional designers, curricula developers, administrators, academics, professors, educators, researchers, those working in higher education, and students.




Turning Access into Success


Book Description

Teaching is crucial for supporting students’ chances of success in higher education, yet often makes limited use of theory to foster contextualized, systemic understandings of access and success. Theorized yet practical ways of empowering university educators are needed to develop their practices and turn access into success for their students. This book harnesses Legitimation Code Theory ‘LCT’ to inspire university educators to understand, reimagine and create socially just teaching and learning practices. Chapters bring this powerful theory to bear on real-world examples of curriculum design, inclusive practices, cumulative learning, assessment practices, and reflection. Each chapter guides the reader through these cutting-edge ideas, illustrates how they can make real differences in practice, and sets out ways of thinking that educators integrate those ideas into practice. The outcomes will help students access the powerful knowledge and ways of knowing they need for success in higher education.




Development Methods and Approaches Critical Reflections


Book Description

Many aid agencies advocate approaches to development which are people-centred, participatory, empowering and gender-fair. This volume of essays explores some of the middle ground between such values-based approaches and the methods and techniques that the agencies adopt. The selection offers critical assessments of fashionable tools such as Participatory Rural Appraisal and Logical Framework. It demonstrates how these are linked (conceptually and in practice) to the wider ideological environment in which they are used, and shows how they depend upon the skills of the fieldworker and/or organization applying them. Contributors argue that tools and methods will contribute to a values-based approach only if those using them have a serious commitment to a social agenda which is genuinely transformative.




Academic Staff Development


Book Description

Academic Staff Development: Disruptions, Complexities, Change (Envisioning New Futures) by Nalini Chitanand and Shoba Rathilal delves into the transformative journey of academic staff development. This collection is prompted by the magnification of the challenges faced by higher education institutions during COVID-19, particularly in South Africa and the Global South, and explores the critical role of academic staff development in navigating crises. With a reflexive approach and insights from diverse disciplines, the book extends beyond traditional models, offering new perspectives and possible contributions to postgraduate education, community engagement, and the broader academic role. A timely and insightful contribution, this book propels the evolving field of academic staff development into new horizons, fostering resilience, creativity, innovation, and holistic growth in higher education, for transformative and sustainable experiences.