Books published by Open University Press

What, if anything, is 'special' about teaching children with special or exceptional learning needs? This book addresses this question, looking at pupils' special learning needs including low attainment, learning difficulties, language difficulties, emotional and behavioural problems and sensory needs.

Argues that if public services are to be reformed or improved, achieving the best possible quality of service is essential. This title presents a model for understanding quality and putting it into practice. It examines quality philosophies and approaches. It presents overviews of policy on quality in central and local government.

Explores how teacher leadership is an important part of school and classroom improvement. This book investigates teacher leadership in action and considers the roles, responsibilities and influence of teachers who lead. It is designed for those who are concerned with teacher and school development, school leadership and school improvement.

Considers the responses of reading scholars, such as Barbara Comber, Henrietta Dombey, Laura Huxford and David Wray, to one child as a reader. This book analyzes the various approaches to literacy including psycho-linguistic, cognitive-psychological, socio-cultural and socio-political.

Understanding Victims and Restorative Justice examines the origins of and the relationship between these two sets of developments, and seeks to assess their strengths and weaknesses in meeting the needs of victims as part of the overall response to crime.

Looks at the history of both the theory and practice of democracy, and the fierce opposition it has often provoked. This book argues that democracy remains a relevant ideal and a challenge to much conventional political thinking, as well as to the centralizing tendencies of global power.

"This book takes the reader inside the multiple worlds of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, and examines the different kinds of 'problems in living' that can confront counsellors working with clients from these groups."

There are few media issues more pressing, or potentially more consequential, than the representation of ethnic minorities. This text brings together leading international researchers who have examined some of the processes of change (and continuity) informing the field of ethnic minorities and the media.

Offers insights into the case study as a tool of educational research and suggests how it can be a prime research strategy for developing educational theory which illuminates policy and enhances practice.

Demonstrates that technology is affected at a fundamental level by the social context in which it develops. This book features arguments about the relation of technology to society. It examines different types of technology and argues that social scientists have tended to ignore the question of what shapes technology?

A Sociology of Sex and Sexuality offers an historical sociological analysis of ideas about expressions of sexual desire, combining both primary and secondary historical and theoretical material with original research and popular imagery in the contemporary context.

Deals with what is perhaps the central question in therapy - who is the therapist? And how does that actually come across and manifest itself in the therapeutic relationship? This book is aimed primarily at counsellors and psychotherapists, or trainees in these disciplines.

What is social science? Does social scientific knowledge differ from other kinds of knowledge, such as the natural sciences and common sense? What is the relation between method and knowledge? This book provides a critical discussion and comprehensive overview of the philosophical debates on the methodological foundations of the social sciences.

This accessible and practical book supports good scientific practice in the early years. It helps practitioners to be creative providers, and shows them how to develop awe and wonder of the world in the children they teach.

This innovative book combines what most books separate: research as practical activity and research as intellectual engagement. It clarifies and makes explicit the methodological issues that underlie the journey from initial research idea to the finished report and beyond.

For therapists, counsellors and others in related professions working with lesbian, gay and bisexual clients in affirmative ways, this volume addresses how this can be approached from ten of the major therapeutic perspectives. Each approach is discussed with regard to its historical and theoretical relationship to these client groups.

The curriculum is noticeable for its absence in public debate and in the literature on higher education. This book begins to redress the balance. Based upon a study of curricula in UK universities, it offers a thesis about the development of higher education, and is intended for those who care about its future.

What is inclusive education and how can it be developed in early childhood? What does inclusive early years policy and practice look like? How best can nursery nurses, pre-school group leaders, teachers and childminders identify, assess and make provision for individual needs?

Charts the debates concerned with epistemological, political and practical issues involved in doing feminist research. This book explores the relation between politics and practice in terms of research and knowledge production. It is intended to be a resource for researchers or individuals interested in women's studies and feminism.

This is a practical book written for teachers who are involved in pastoral work with students aged 11-18 in mainstream education. The basic listening and responding skills are described with examples relevant to a school setting.

The book provides a succinct overview of current theory and research on the links between drugs, alcohol use and crime.

Presents an examination of the relationship of education policy to social class, race, gender and the economy, paying attention to the educational disadvantages of some ethnic groups and refugee children. This book includes chronologies of education acts, reports and initiatives and summaries of major legislation.

How do pupils make sense of the past? What is the relationship between the way historians construct interpretations of the past and the way pupils learn history in schools? This book draws together developments in a range of fields: in academic history, in the study of language and in classroom research on pupil learning.

What do different therapists mean by barriers, defences and resistance? What are the functions of defences, barriers and resistance? How do these relate to the aims and ethics of therapy?

Describes a specifically psychodynamic approach to sexual dysfunction. This book reviews the range and nature of sexual difficulties, and evaluates the relevance of psychodynamic theory and interventions to the understanding, assessment and treatment of sexual problems. It is illustrated with case study material.

Erik H Erikson is considered one of the most influential thinkers to have emerged from the field of psychoanalysis. It was Erikson who originated the term 'identity crisis'. This book shows how his theories developed in response to his own life experience. It offers a view of Erikson as a person, as a writer and thinker, and as a psychotherapist.

Offers a discussion of the role of unobtrusive methods in social research. This book explores the theoretical underpinnings of Webb et al's approach. It examines some of the ethical issues raised by the use of unobtrusive methods in social research. It also features a discussion of using the Internet as a tool for unobtrusive research.

Presents evidence for the effectiveness of 'traditional' and 'progressive' teaching methods. This book reports upon case studies of two schools which taught mathematics in different ways. It draws radical conclusions about the ways that traditional teaching methods lead to limited forms of knowledge that are ineffective in non-school settings.