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Writer’s Blog


Putting research under the microscope in an informative, relevant way


A Practical Guide to Classroom Research By Clive Millar Critical Publishing: paperback 978-1-9111-0636-4


The book begins by addressing the chicken and egg problem about the starting point of research – is it theory or practice? It offers a good insight into both approaches, as well as highlighting some common misconceptions. A key element for me was a section in chapter 1, about the researcher


voice. It urges readers to research something they are interested in, write with feeling and passion, and to express opinions and thoughts. I found this very relevant. The book went on to stress the importance of having a good research


question. I know from my own experience that what you initially thought was a good question fails at a later stage in the research. The book gives you a set of criteria and a methodology to help you check the validity of your research idea. It then looks at how your research question can be put to work and adapted, with real examples and reflections on how to develop your question. The book follows a logical sequence, with each chapter building on the concept introduced previously. It mixes research methodology with the reflections of real researchers. Most of the researcher examples and comments relate to English


projects, but the underlying context would be just as appropriate to a mathematical researcher, which is my specialism, or indeed many other disciplines and vocational areas. The book is informative and relevant.


Reviewer: Michael Allcock is mathematics team leader at HMP Humber. He took part in the Exploratory Research in Maths and English Programme run by the Education and Training Foundation and SUNCETT.


By Ann Gravells hat’s the dierence between initial and diagnostic assessment  get confused between the two terms and  can’t seem to come up with a definition for each. The term initial would imply it’s done at the beginning of something i.e. a course, a session or a new topic. But what exactly does the initial assessment process involve s it separate from, or does it incorporate, diagnostic assessment Perhaps initial assessment is to


MEMBER OFFER SET members are eligible for  e cent o the RRP for this book and all other Critical Publishing titles on these two pages. Must be ordered from Critical Publishing at goo.gl/51lU4Q Use discount code CMGCR01 e is valid until 31 May 2017.


do with the learner. In other words, why they want to undertake study or training, which level is suitable for them, and any particular needs or requirements they may have. Diagnostic assessment could therefore be about the subject. In other words, to ascertain (diagnose) a learner’s skills, knowledge, understanding, and gaps in learning. If so, which term embraces any support a learner may need, such as with English, maths, ICT, academic writing and study skills? Dare I even ask where learning preferences fit in?! Confused? Me too! Am I being pedantic regarding terminology? Does it matter what it’s called as long as it’s done? I’d love to hear your thoughts and your definitions. Just e-mail me at annanngravells.com


Ann Gravells is an author, training consultant and is a Fellow of SET. See Ann’s books at goo.glKTNFB1


sociological components and sub-systems.


The book discusses types of learning, the content of learning, incentives for learning, the sociology of learning, barriers and preconditions to learning. The section in chapter 12 on learning in working life, and Chapter 13 (learning, education and society), are particularly interesting.


There is no getting away


from the fact that this is an academic read with liberal references to ‘the greats’ such as Dewey, Freire, Freud, Gagne, Gardner, Kolb, Lave, Piaget, Vygotsky and Wenger, among many others. As such, it can hardly be classed as an easy read. However, Illeris, and his translator, have done a decent job of keeping


things reasonably accessible and engaging.


It is also a politically aware book; written, and substantially revised in its second edition, in the context of a perceived got in te inuence o neoliberal ideas on education. This second edition of Illeris’s book bears all the hallmarks of an excellent textbook.


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INTUITION ISSUE 27 • SPRING 2017 33


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