Making Learning Happen: A Guide for Post-Compulsory Education

This second edition of the popular text provides an accessible and practical discussion of teaching and learning for the post-compulsory sector of higher and further education. Central to the book is the author's well-known 'ripples on a pond' model of learning, which identifies seven fundamental factors underpinning successful learning:

Wanting to learn

taking ownership of the need to learn

learning by doing

learning through feedback

making sense of what is being learned

deepening learning through explaining, coaching and teaching

further deepening learning through assessing - making informed judgements

Making Learning Happen encourages teachers and students to address these factors head-on in a wide range of contexts, including large-group teaching, the design of assessment, small group work, reflection, and in making good use of formative feedback.

As well as a thorough update based on feedback on the previous version, this edition addresses issues arising from feedback from students in the National Student Survey in the UK, and tactics for maintaining and improving the quality of student learning in the context of the present recession. There are also three new chapters:

'designing the curriculum for learning'

'what can I do when…?'providing creative tactics to address common problems colleagues experience

'reflective observation', addressing peer observation and self reflection

The book is a helpful tool for lecturers and tutors in universities and colleges, post-16 teachers in secondary education, and educational managers. It also provides a valuable resource for postgraduate students on higher and further education courses and staff development courses.