Applied Pedagogies for Higher Education - Real World Learning

In this review of Applied Pedagogies for Higher Education: Real World Learning and Innovation across the Curriculum, the editors Dawn A. Morley and Md Golam Jamil present a disciplined, cross-disciplinary critique aimed at educators and curriculum designers who want evidence-informed approaches to practice-based learning. The single biggest reason to read this open access volume is its practical examination of how real world learning is implemented across diverse disciplines, giving readers concrete examples and international perspectives rather than abstract theory.

Key Features

• Cross-disciplinary scope: Chapters draw on business, health, fashion, sociology and geography to show how real world learning adapts across contexts.
• Curriculum and extracurricular focus: The book examines both embedded curriculum strategies and outside-class opportunities to support holistic student development.
• Student experience insights: Contributors analyse how students engage with real world settings, highlighting practical benefits for employability and learning transfer.
• Implementation strategies: The editors collect approaches that educators can adopt to design active, practice-based modules and assessments.
• International perspective: Case studies and analyses reflect diverse higher education systems, useful for those looking beyond a single national approach.

Who It's For

This book is best for university lecturers, curriculum developers and educational researchers seeking examples and critique of how real world learning can be integrated into course design. Its cross-disciplinary chapters make it particularly useful for staff working in vocational subjects or those aiming to strengthen connections between academics and industry partners.

Those looking for step-by-step lesson plans or a quick how-to manual for classroom activities may find the book denser and more analytical than practical manuals; early-career teachers wanting ready-made worksheets should look elsewhere.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Wide variety of disciplines provides transferable ideas for different departments.
• Clear focus on student experience helps educators assess impact on learning and employability.
• Open access format increases availability and makes it easy to share with colleagues and students.

Cons

• The book is more analytical than prescriptive, so instructors seeking immediate lesson templates may need to adapt ideas themselves.

Specifications

Our Verdict

Applied Pedagogies for Higher Education offers a thoughtful, evidence-informed overview of real world learning across disciplines and is a strong value for educators who want international case studies and critique rather than quick activity kits. Buy it if you need conceptual frameworks and diverse examples to inform curriculum change; those needing plug-and-play classroom materials should complement it with practice-focused guides.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this book freely available?
Yes, the volume is published as an open access book, making it widely available to educators and students.

Does it include practical classroom activities?
The book focuses on analysis and strategies; it provides useful implementation ideas but few ready-to-use lesson plans.

Which disciplines are covered?
Contributors discuss fields including business, health, fashion, sociology and geography to illustrate transferability.