James Avis

This book examines the concept of the fourth industrial revolution and its potential impact on vocational education and training. Broadly located in a framework rooted in critical/radical theory, the book argues that the affordance of technologies surrounding the fourth industrial revolution are constrained by their location within a neoliberal, if not capitalist, logic. Thus, the impact of this revolution will be experienced differently across European regions as well as low and middle income economies. In order to break this impasse, this book calls for a politics based on non-reformist reforms, premised on an aspiration towards a socially just society that transcends capitalism.

This book examines the concept of the fourth industrial revolution and its potential impact on vocational education and training. Broadly located in a framework rooted in critical/radical theory, the book argues that the affordance of technologies surrounding the fourth industrial revolution are constrained by their location within a neoliberal, if not capitalist, logic. Thus, the impact of this revolution will be experienced differently across European regions as well as low and middle income economies. In order to break this impasse, this book calls for a politics based on non-reformist reforms, premised on an aspiration towards a socially just society that transcends capitalism.

Addressing the Professional Standards for Teachers and Trainers, this bestselling textbook helpfully balances theory and practice, introducing key theories and concepts relating to learning and assessment as well as providing practical advice on teaching. Extensively revised and updated to reflect the current educational policy environment, this textbook for teaching provides thorough and extensive coverage of the topics for higher-level awards in Education and Training. The textbook provides a logical progression through the essential aspects of teaching, such as planning and assessment; it considers key related areas including teacher professionalism, equality and diversity, and mentoring and coaching; and it presents this invaluable guidance in an accessible and readable format. In outlining the challenges, opportunities, and debates in and around lifelong learning, the editors and contributing authors draw on their extensive teaching experience, as well as offering an evidence-based approach with a wide range of research. Teaching in Lifelong Learning: A Guide to Theory and Practice is core reading for those teaching or preparing to teach in further, higher and community education as well as in public sector contexts and in private training organisations, including those studying for CertEd/PGCE and related awards, such as the Level 4 Certificate and Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training.'Teacher education in FE continues to be an important and unresolved issue, and this book is a great asset in supporting individuals in understanding and developing their practices. With a focus on developing critical, inquiring practitioners, the text reads like an experienced mentor sharing pointers, questions, and useful readings over a collegial cup of coffee'. Dr Tim Herrick, Senior University Teacher, University of Sheffield, UK

Social Justice, Transformation and Knowledge: Policy, Workplace Learning and Skills examines the policy contexts in which lifelong learning, vocational education and training and skill development is set. It provides a critique of neo-liberalism and its impact on vocational education and training and lifelong learning. It interrogates potentially progressive policy interventions that take for granted capitalist relations as these can become a form of ‘comfort radicalism’ that whilst calling for structural change remain lodged within capitalism. Such analyses are limited, particularly in austere conditions of worklessness with increasing numbers of workers surplus to the requirements of capital. Offering detailed discussions within UK, European and global contexts, this book proves an insightful and critical text which illustrates Professor Avis’ extensive experience and knowledge of the field. Adopting a substantive focus on debates and analysis with significance that extends beyond the particular policy context of England, the book offers: an exploration of arguments that suggest workplace learning carries with it progressive possibilities an examination of models of class implicit within education policy and documents consideration of forms of governance and professionalism and their articulation to the pursuit of social justice an insight into discussions concerned with social justice, knowledge as well as the current conditions of austerity in which education and social policy are emphasisedSocial Justice, Transformation and Knowledge is a significant addition to the field. It is an insightful and thought-provoking book from which students, lecturers and researchers with an interest in education studies, education policy, and social justice will greatly benefit from reading.

Social Justice, Transformation and Knowledge: Policy, Workplace Learning and Skills examines the policy contexts in which lifelong learning, vocational education and training and skill development is set. It provides a critique of neo-liberalism and its impact on vocational education and training and lifelong learning. It interrogates potentially progressive policy interventions that take for granted capitalist relations as these can become a form of ‘comfort radicalism’ that whilst calling for structural change remain lodged within capitalism. Such analyses are limited, particularly in austere conditions of worklessness with increasing numbers of workers surplus to the requirements of capital. Offering detailed discussions within UK, European and global contexts, this book proves an insightful and critical text which illustrates Professor Avis’ extensive experience and knowledge of the field. Adopting a substantive focus on debates and analysis with significance that extends beyond the particular policy context of England, the book offers: an exploration of arguments that suggest workplace learning carries with it progressive possibilities an examination of models of class implicit within education policy and documents consideration of forms of governance and professionalism and their articulation to the pursuit of social justice an insight into discussions concerned with social justice, knowledge as well as the current conditions of austerity in which education and social policy are emphasisedSocial Justice, Transformation and Knowledge is a significant addition to the field. It is an insightful and thought-provoking book from which students, lecturers and researchers with an interest in education studies, education policy, and social justice will greatly benefit from reading.

James Avis develops an important argument in this wide-ranging book, in which questions of social justice play a central role. He explores the socio-economic and policy context of education in advanced capitalist societies, and indicates the manner in which the rhetoric of policy-makers distorts the way in which skill is marshalled in the economy. The result is that oppressive and exploitative features of paid labour are underplayed in this rhetoric. He examines the lived experiences of teachers and students in post-compulsory education and explores their contradictory positions. If questions of social justice are to be addressed, an economically driven model of education should be rejected in favour of one that is politically engaged and utilises an expansive model of practice, extending into the wider society.

James Avis develops an important argument in this wide-ranging book, in which questions of social justice play a central role. He explores the socio-economic and policy context of education in advanced capitalist societies, and indicates the manner in which the rhetoric of policy-makers distorts the way in which skill is marshalled in the economy. The result is that oppressive and exploitative features of paid labour are underplayed in this rhetoric. He examines the lived experiences of teachers and students in post-compulsory education and explores their contradictory positions. If questions of social justice are to be addressed, an economically driven model of education should be rejected in favour of one that is politically engaged and utilises an expansive model of practice, extending into the wider society.