Bad education : debunking myths in education / edited by Philip Adey and Justin Dillon.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

"We all know that small classes are better than large classes; that children are best taught in groups according to their ability; that some schools are much better than others and that we should teach children according to their individual learning styles ... or do we? This book asks awkward questions about these and many other sacred cows of education. Each chapter tackles a persistent myth in education, confronting it with research evidence and teasing out any kernel of truth which may underlie the myth. Leading authors from the world of education each bring analysis and expertise to bear on their chosen subject, presenting their argument in an accessible manner based on sound scholarship. Some of the conclusions drawn in Bad Education are likely to be real eye-openers for many teachers and parents, who will find some of their basic assumptions about education called into question. It is also essential reading for anyone involved in educational policy making or management."--Publisher's website.

Part 1: School Organization. Are there 'good' schools and 'bad' schools? ; Is vocational education for the less able? ; Grouping pupils by ability in schools ; Class size: is small better? ; Supporting learning?: How effective are teaching assistants? -- Part 2: Teaching methods. Traditional versus progressive education ; Synthetic phonics: the route to reading? ; Is informal education better than formal education? ; The social and emotional aspects of learning (SEAL) programme ; Computers good, calculators bad? -- Part 3: Learners. Left-brain, right-brain, brain games and beanbags: neuromyths in education ; From fixed IQ to multiple intelligences ; Learning styles: unreliable, invalid and impractical and yet still widely used ; 'TV is bad for children'--less emotion, more science please! ; Playing with emotions: why emotional literacy trumps emotional intelligence ; The dyslexia debate.