Project Summary

This project was jointly funded by the ESRC/TLRP. The research and field work stage began in July 2005 and was completed in October 2007. Ongoing dissemination is planned to take place throughout 2008. Details of this dissemination and ongoing associated activities can be found on this site.

The ongoing aim of this project is to add to our knowledge and understanding of how learning and working in Further Education in Wales relate to each other. It draws from educational studies, the sociology of education and policy sociology. The distinctive focus of the project is on the ways in which learning of all kinds are a product of the social interaction between students and teachers and the ways in which learning processes are influenced by the policy framework through which Further Education in Wales is regulated, as well as the wider economic and social context in which learning and these interactions take place.

The approach adopted distinguishes between those determinants internal to learning settings, such as classrooms and those which originate externally, such as the wider social context or from the previous experiences of students and teachers. Individual interviews with teachers and students and the completion of reflective journals, focus group interviews with students and ethnographic classroom observation have provided a rich data source. As yet, the data provide the only detailed ethnograthic investigation of FE classrooms in Wales .

Evidence-based research continues be made available to enhance the capacity of individuals and institutions to reflect on and improve the experience of learning and teaching for both teachers and students.

This site has been constructed in partnership with the following bodies: