Creating Connections in Teaching and Learning - Insightful Research

In this review of Creating Connections in Teaching and Learning the authors present a thoughtful exploration for educators and researchers interested in how relationships, links and frameworks shape learning. The book is best for academics, school leaders and advanced practitioners who need a research-informed map of the many ways connection can be understood and enacted. Its biggest strength is a broad, multidisciplinary view that treats cognitive, cultural, social and emotional dimensions of learning as intertwined rather than separate.

Key Features

• Multidimensional focus: The book examines cognitive, cultural, social, emotional and physical aspects of learning to show how different dimensions contribute to creating connections.
• Contextual variety: Readers gain examples and discussion of connections made at the learner, educator, organisation and community levels so ideas can be applied across settings.
• Relationship emphasis: The authors foreground learner-educator and peer relationships as central mechanisms for meaning-making and motivation.
• Research-led framing: The text identifies varied connective contexts and means, helping researchers situate their own studies within a coherent conceptual framework.
• Practical orientation: Chapters consider how building frameworks and networks supports practice, making the research usable for school leaders and curriculum designers.

Who It's For

This title suits doctoral students, teacher educators and professional researchers who need a broad, research-led treatment of how different forms of connection operate in education. The depth of conceptual discussion makes it a useful reference for those designing studies or reflecting on institutional strategies for learning.

Practitioners seeking quick classroom tips or an instructional handbook may find this book less directly prescriptive; those readers should look for classroom-focused guides that prioritize step-by-step techniques over conceptual synthesis.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Broad conceptual coverage supports interdisciplinary research and policy thinking.
• Clear attention to multiple contexts makes the material transferable across schools and community settings.
• Emphasis on relationships and networks gives practical direction for institutional change.

Cons

• The book is largely conceptual and may not provide immediate, granular classroom strategies for every teacher.

Specifications

Our Verdict

Creating Connections in Teaching and Learning is a strong value for researchers and educational leaders who want a cohesive, research-informed view of how connections form and matter in learning. Its integrative approach is particularly useful for informing study design and institutional strategy, though classroom teachers seeking immediate lesson-level tactics may need to supplement it with more practice-focused titles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book offer classroom activities?
Answer. The book is primarily conceptual and research-focused, so it offers frameworks and examples rather than step-by-step classroom activities.

Who are the authors?
Answer. The work is authored by Lindy Abawi, Joan Conway and Robyn Henderson and forms part of the Research on Teaching and Learning series.

What contexts does it address?
Answer. The text covers learner, educator, organisational and community contexts and discusses cognitive, cultural, social, emotional and physical dimensions.