Basic Education

This is a lively and engaging introduction to education as an academic subject, taking into account both theory and practice. Covering the schooling system, the nature of knowledge and methods of teaching, it analyses the viewpoints of both teachers and pupils.

This volume offers an introduction to all questions of teaching Religious Education as a school subject and as an academic discipline related to this subject. The chapters cover most of the aspects that religion teachers have to face in their work, as well as the theoretical background necessary for this task. The volume is a textbook for students and teachers of religious education, be it in school or in an academic context, who are looking for reliable information on this field. The book has proven its usefulness in German speaking countries. This volume is the English translation of the German Compendium of Religious Education (edited by Gottfried Adam and Rainer Lachmann). The present English version is based on the 2012 edition which aims for a most current representation of the field. The background of the book is Protestant but its outlook is clearly ecumenical, and questions of interreligious education are considered in many of the chapters. The compendium continues to be widely used in Germany, Austria and Switzerland - as an introduction to the field and as a handbook for students who are preparing for their final exams. The English edition makes this compendium available to students and colleagues in other countries.

Contents: Introduction, Historical Background, The Development, The Expansion, Scope and Sphere, The Objectives, Commissions and Politics, Ethics and Identity, Scientific Attitude, Teacher Training, Teaching Strategies, Skills for Teaching, Observation Techniques, Curriculum Development, Reconstruction of curriculum, Evaluation Techniques, School System, In House Cooperation, Inter-relationship, Managing Resources.

Focusing on the future development of basic education in China, and on overcoming related issues, this book identifies key breakthroughs, priorities and important fields of basic education reform. In addition, it introduces the “Three Power Model” – decision-making, principals’ leadership, and learning power – to help address the challenges of future development. Unlike much of the research on basic education reform, the book draws on a forward-thinking, realistic and comprehensive project: bringing together 15 universities and research institutes, 16 provincial administration departments, and 100 selected primary and secondary schools, it has also been strongly endorsed by the nation’s leaders. After five years of practice and innovation, it has made significant breakthroughs in many provinces. Sharing unique insights into the project and its outcomes, the book offers an invaluable asset for education researchers, primary and secondary school teachers, and anyone interested in the evolution of basic education in China.

This comprehensive review of education policies in Turkey covers primary, secondary, and vocational education and related issues. It finds that an improving economy and governmental continuity provide an unprecedented opportunity for reform.