1st Edition

Researching Widening Access to Lifelong Learning Issues and Approaches in International Research

Edited By Michael Osborne, Jim Gallacher, Beth Crossan Copyright 2005
    256 Pages
    by Routledge

    252 Pages
    by Routledge

    This authoritative volume is a truly international contribution to the worldwide debate on how best to widen access to lifelong learning.


    The first section of the book comprises research studies from around the world, reflecting the diversity of contexts in which widening access is researched and considers issues central to the access debate, including different understandings of the concept of access, organisational and structural change, curriculum development, entry policies, performance and retention and labour market outcomes.


    The second section illustrates diverse and innovative methodological approaches that have been employed by researchers in the field, and considers the range of approaches available.


    Given the growing concern around the world on the need to combat social exclusion and to improve economic circumstances through access to lifelong learning, this book acts as a unique reference point informing the ongoing debate, exploring the relationships between research, policy and practice.

    Part 1 Key issues; Chapter 1 An international perspective on researching widening access, Michael Osborne, Jim Gallacher; Chapter 2 Researching widening access, Peter Scott; Chapter 3 Researching access in a rapidly changing context, Shirley Walters; Chapter 4 Looking through the kaleidoscope, Brenda Morgan-Klein, Mark Murphy; Chapter 5 Discourses of access, David Boud; Chapter 6 Widening access and literacy, Joseph Lo Bianco; Chapter 7 Widening access for the education of adults in the United States, Juanita Johnson-Bailey, Ronald M. Cervero; Chapter 8 E-learning and access, Jo Barraket; Chapter 9 Access as more, Hunter R. Boylan; Chapter 10 After access, Ewart Keep; Part 2 Methodological issues; Chapter 11 Part icipatory paradigms, Ramón Flecha, Jesús Gómez; Chapter 12 Questions of access and Part icipation, Beth Crossan, Michael Osborne; Chapter 13 Biography and narratives, Barbara Merrill, Peter Alheit; Chapter 14 Counting access, Alasdair Forsyth, Andy Furlong; Chapter 15 E-learning, marginalised communities and social capital, Sara Ferlander; Chapter 16 Organisation behaviour, research and access, Chris Duke; Chapter 17 The case study approach to research in adult literacy, numeracy and ESOL, Rob Mark; Chapter 18 Researching widening access, Jim Gallacher, Beth Crossan;

    Biography

    Mike Osborne is Professor of Lifelong Learning, Co-Director of the Centre for Research in Lifelong Learning, University of Stirling and editor of the Journal of Adult and Continuing Education.


    Jim Gallacher is a Professor of Lifelong Learning and Co-Director of the Centre for Research in Lifelong Learning, Glasgow Caledonian University.

    Beth Crossan is Research Fellow at the Centre for Research in Lifelong Learning, Glagow Caledonian University.

    '[This book] has so much to offer its readers in the area of curriculum development ... [it] is essential reading for adult educators, researchers, and for anyone whose interests include adult and higher education.' - Broadcast

    'I would recommend the book and suggest it should be read by anyone who has an interest in the field as it captures the 'state of play' in debates about issues and research for widening access.' - Mary Stuart, University of Sussex