Apologies for cross-posting

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Members of the list may be interested in the following book 
just published by The Policy Press in association with the ESRC:

Differing visions of a Learning Society: Research findings Volume 1 

Edited by Frank Coffield

The Learning Society Programme, University of Newcastle upon 
Tyne.

In Differing visions of a Learning Society, Frank Coffield and his 
collaborators "reveal the tensions at the heart of lifelong learning 
policy development from a range of different starting points. Read it."
Alan Tuckett, Director, The National Organisation for Adult Learning

Lifelong learning has been an evidence-free zone for too long. It has 
been under-researched and under-theorised. This volume, is the 
culmination of years of empirical work undertaken for the ESRC's 
Learning Society Programme, a major investment in lifelong learning 
research. It explores the ways lifelong learning can contribute to the 
development of knowledge and skills for employment, and other areas of 
adult life.

In this first volume, the contributors address the challenges to social
science researchers to study issues that are central and directly 
relevant to the political and policy debate, and to take into account 
the reality of people's lives. 

The evidence provided shows what policies are or are not working and 
provides the basis for structural reform. Some of the conclusions 
arrived at by the projects challenge fundamental assumptions of current
policy. The contributions demonstrate the value of independent, 
critical research in an area which is awash with unsubstantiated 
generalities, armchair musings and banalities without bite. 'Differing 
visions of a Learning Society' contributes to the public debate on 
lifelong learning, and is essential reading for politicians, policy 
makers, practitioners, academics and researchers concerned in any way 
with lifelong learning.

Contents: Introduction: A critical analysis of the concept of a learning
society, Frank Coffield; 'Worlds apart' - Education markets in the 
post-16 sector of one urban locale 1995-98, Stephen J. Ball, Meg 
Maguire and Sheila Macrae; Unifying academic and vocational learning in
England, Wales and Scotland, Ken Spours, Michael Young, Cathy Howieson 
and David Raffe; Skill development in higher education and 
employment,Elisabeth Dunne, Neville Bennett and Clive Carré; The 
variable contribution of guidance services in different types of 
learning societies, Will Bartlett and Teresa Rees; Changing patterns of
training provision in the National Health Service: an overview, Jenny
Hewison, Therese Dowswell and Bobbie Millar; Working and learning in
Britain and Germany: findings of a regional study, Phil Cooke, Antje
Cockrill, Peter Scott, John Fitz and Brian Davies; Development of 
knowledge and skills at work, Michael Eraut, Jane Alderton, Gerald Cole
and Peter Senker.

Paperback 18.99 ISBN 1 86134 230 6
Hardback  45.00 ISBN 1 86134 246 2
288 pages

This book is available from: Marston Book Services, PO Box 269, 
Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4YN. Tel: 01235 465500. Fax: 01235 465556. Email: 
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The second volume of findings (due to be published in October 2000) will
explore important lessons learnt, highlighting the main policy 
implications:

Differing visions of a Learning Society: Research findings Volume 2
Edited by Frank Coffield

Contents: Introduction: A critical analysis of the concept of a Learning
Society, Frank Coffield; The meaning of the Learning Society for adults
with learning difficulties: bold rhetoric and limited opportunities, 
Sheila Riddell, Stephen Baron and Alastair Wilson; Networks, norms and
trust: explaining patterns of lifelong learning in Scotland and 
Northern Ireland, John Field and Tom Schuller; Learning culture, 
learning age, learning society: turning aspirations into reality?, Pat 
Davies and John Bynner; Teaching and learning in higher education: 
issues of motivation, Andrew Hannan, Harold Silver and Susan English; 
Participating in the Learning Society: history, place and biography, 
Gareth Rees, Stephen Gorard, Ralph Fevre and John Furlong; Skills in 
the British workplace, David Ashton, Alan Felstead and Francis Green.

Paperback 16.99 ISBN 1 86134 247 0
Hardback  45.00 ISBN 1 86134 248 9
208 pages TBC

This book will also be available from Marston Book Services.

Helen Bolton
Marketing Executive
The Policy Press
34 Tyndall's Park Road
Bristol BS8 1PY
Tel: +44 (0)117 954 6802/6800
Fax: +44 (0)117 973 7308
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