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Studying Education
An introduction to the study and exploration of education
Second Edition
Edited by:
- Janet Lord - Manchester Metropolitan University
December 2026 | Learning Matters
An introduction to the study and exploration of education.
What is education? What challenges does it face?
Studying Education supports your studies in education at university and beyond. It explores how educationalists research, engage with debate and focus on particular themes and how these impact their practice.
*Covers key themes, foundation knowledge and essential theory from across the education sector
*Supports students with study skills and to develop their understanding of education at UG level
*Helps readers to see the ‘bigger picture’ of education
*Includes support for academic writing, critical exploration of themes, evaluating evidence and engaging with debates
What is education? What challenges does it face?
Studying Education supports your studies in education at university and beyond. It explores how educationalists research, engage with debate and focus on particular themes and how these impact their practice.
*Covers key themes, foundation knowledge and essential theory from across the education sector
*Supports students with study skills and to develop their understanding of education at UG level
*Helps readers to see the ‘bigger picture’ of education
*Includes support for academic writing, critical exploration of themes, evaluating evidence and engaging with debates
PART 1: Background and context
Janet Lord
Chapter 1: What is education and what is its purpose? Why Study Education
David Menendez Hevia
Chapter 2: How does the study of other subjects expand our understanding of education?
Stephen Rayner
Chapter 3: What are schools like in England today?
Kate Hoskins
Chapter 4: How does identity shape young people’s experiences of schooling and education?
PART 2: Education, learning and teaching
Helen Underhill
Chapter 5: What makes good teaching and learning?
Elizabeth Gregory
Chapter 6: What are theories of learning and how can we use them?
Andrew Brogan
Chapter 7: What’s happened to Finland? An introduction to comparative and international education
Elizabeth Parr
Chapter 8: What is learning outside the classroom?
Janet Lord and Jayshree Patel
Chapter 9: Why do some children in the UK do better at school than others?
Jonathan Glazzard and Samuel Stones
Chapter 10: How can we provide children with special educational needs with a quality learning experience?
Steve Ingle
Chapter 11: What is vocational learning?
PART 3: Contemporary themes and issues in education
Pete Atherton
Chapter 12: How can AI tools support lesson planning and personalised learning?
Jane Calcutt
Chapter 13: Mental health and well being in education
Leigh Hoath
Chapter 14: Sustainability and education
Eleanor Hoskins
Chapter 15: Opinion piece: Early years education and play
Pete Atherton
Chapter 16: Opinion piece: Why do teachers need to embrace technology in the classroom?