Union Learning Representatives (ULRs) are a relatively recent phenomenon and are a new category of lay representation within the workplace in the United Kingdom. They are part of the present New Labour administration's drive to expand and improve lifelong learning and continuous professional development and create the new "learning society". ULRs…

For some years now, teachers in the post compulsory sector have been lambasted in educational circles for what some perceive as the poor quality of teaching and learning in classrooms. Such criticisms have tended to emanate from those responsible for inspecting the sector's provision. In fact, when Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education) and…

This article examines the factors influencing the development of widening participation policy in 16 higher education institutions (HEIs). It utilises documentary research, followed by interviews with key policy makers in three of the institutions: an "old" university, a "new" university and a college of higher education. The paper demonstrates…

This article provides an account of a study which set out to explore methodological issues associated with the development of oral skills on a Bar Vocational Course at the University of the West of England, Bristol, UK. The study involved overseas law students who were exposed to traditional teaching approaches involving teacher-led drills and…

This paper explores the preparation and use of an internet activity for undergraduate learners in higher education (HE). It evaluates the effectiveness of using webquest as a computer-based learning (CBL) tool to support students to learn in HE. The evaluation undertaken offers insights into learner perceptions concerning the ease of use of the…

Despite its position as a key mechanism for ensuring accountability to the government and to the public, and as a perceived tool to improve standards and outcomes, the inspection of education--and in particular of the post-compulsory sector--has been under-researched. This paper contributes to the field through an exploration of the twin…

This article reports on a research project undertaken on behalf of the Standards Unit to research the impact of the Teaching and Learning National Transformation Programme for the Learning and Skills sector. The transformational programme is best described as having three enablers, namely teaching and learning resources to support practitioners,…

It has been estimated that as many as one in five adults in England have difficulties with literacy or numeracy skills. Raising the standards of language, literacy and numeracy (LLN) skills amongst all adults of working age in England has become one of the government's highest priorities. Following the launch of the "Skills for Life" strategy in…

This paper takes as its focus the much contested concept of professionalism in the context of Further Education (FE). The notion of professionalism per se is discussed and its "fitness for purpose" in terms of the FE sector examined. The difficulty in identifying the basis of "professionalism" in the sector is explored through an examination of…

This research was prompted by a recognition that the links could be improved between the Cardiff University Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Further Education) (PGCE (FE)) course and its partner colleges, in which students complete their teaching practice. It sets out to explore the external and internal policies on such partnerships, and…

This paper summarises the results of a Learning & Skills Development Agency-funded research project that focused on the pedagogy of teaching younger learners in English Further Education colleges. It sets out the background and rationale for the research, the methods used, and the main findings. It concludes by suggesting some features of best…

Work-based learning (WBL) is predicated on a form of transdisciplinarity (Costley & Portwood, 2000; Garrick & Rhodes, 2000; Boud & Solomon, 2001) within the community of higher education academics over about the last 10 years. The broad area of WBL in higher education draws its academic focus from high-level practical knowledge and learning, in a…

This paper reports on the first phase of a study of the experiences of a small group of students (35) that have entered an "elite" Scottish university directly from Further Education (FE) colleges where they have studied Higher National Certificate and Diploma courses. Students' experiences were gathered through in-depth interviews and a…

Studied classroom learning environment and teacher behavior in 12 Korean schools through questionnaires administered to 543 eighth graders. Results, which support the cross-cultural validity of both measures, show positive relationships between classroom environment and interpersonal teacher behavior and students' attitudinal outcome. Boys…

Interviewed 118 Irish students at Key Stage 4 and their teachers to determine their reactions to the teaching and carrying out of investigative science. The major response was one of enjoyment, although the purpose of investigative science was often seen as being related solely to British National Curriculum requirements. (SLD)