A case for liberating learning

Enhancing students’ quality of life through education in the classroom and beyond

Throughout the history of our civilisation, education has been seen by philosophers, national leaders and educators as essential for social cohesion and economic development. However, there is a tension between the (proper) interest of governments in ensuring that education prepares young people to be effective citizens, and the desire of educators to ensure that students maintain individuality and a rich learning experience.

While it is important to have comparable standards within and between countries, when it comes to issues of curriculum standardisation risks constraint and over-regulation. In education the liberal tradition places great emphasis on individual freedom, moving well beyond 'freedom from…' and rather positioning and promoting education as 'freedom to…'. It is this commitment to education's emancipatory potential that underpins all of the essays in this book.

While exploring the impact of globalisation and emerging technologies on the teaching and learning practices of schools and universities, Liberating Learning presents a variety of pioneering initiatives advocated by seminal thinkers and practitioners with a series of commentaries on where education is, and where it is going. There are three key areas of focus: the curriculum; pedagogy; and the role of secondary education in widening participation in higher education. Collectively, the perspectives outlined here consider how we might transform our vision of education as authentically enabling and emancipatory into a reality for all young people.

In a climate where the imperative for sharing ideas and good practice between distinct educational sectors, and between educators and policy makers, is crucial, our hope is that this collection will serve as catalyst for further debate on how to liberate learning and broaden participation.

Michael Worton