Includes bibliographical references and index.

Childhoods and contemporary practices / Phil Jones -- The child's voice / Rosemary Davis -- Children's thinking / Anne Robertson -- Agency, pedagogy, and the curriculum / Sue Rogers and Dominic Wyse -- High stakes assessment, teachers, and children / Guy Roberts-Holmes -- Technology and education / Lynn Roberts -- Expertise, knowledge and pedagogy / Tony Eaude -- Language and culture in foreign language teaching / Paula Ambrossi -- Inclusion or special educational needs? : uncertainty in the 21st century / Joseph Mintz -- Embracing diversity in the classroom : a cross-cultural perspective / Lynn Ang and Rosie Flewitt -- Families, society and school choice / Georgina Merchant -- Politics, policy and teacher agency / Susan Taylor, Sue Bodman and Helen Morris.

"Education has become dominated by testing, standards, interventions, strategies and political policy. Yet while elements such as these are important, Exploring Education and Childhood contends it is childhood - including its sociology and psychology - that is the vital holistic context for teaching and learning. Written by a team of specialists who bring experience of classroom teaching, teacher training, and of rigorous research and scholarship, each chapter examines a topic that is of vital importance to teaching and the work of teachers. The book explores examples of educational practice that illuminate contemporary problems and future possibilities for education; develops educational theory to better understand practice and policy; and critically evaluates education policy in the international context. With an emphasis on reflection and deep thinking - something that all the best teachers are able to do - key issues in the book include: - the voice of the child - metacognitive strategies - agency, pedagogy and curriculum - performativity, standards, and school readiness - educational settings and new technology - teacher expertise and agency - diversity and child agency - families, society and school choice. Illustrated with powerful examples of practice, together with key questions for reflection and further reading, Exploring Education and Childhood challenges education professionals, policy makers, and all people with an interest in education to envision a new future. It will be essential reading for all student teachers and teachers, and is particularly appropriate for Masters-level research, professional studies and Education Studies"-- Provided by publisher.