{"product_id":"freedom-to-learn-research-into-higher-education-critical","title":"Freedom to Learn (Research into Higher Education) - Critical","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Freedom to Learn (Research into Higher Education), the reviewer finds a thoughtful critique aimed at educators, policy makers and researchers concerned with student autonomy. The book's central argument - that a performative culture is eroding the \u003cstrong\u003efreedom of students to learn\u003c\/strong\u003e - makes it essential reading for anyone investigating how university practices shape student behaviour. It is recommended for those seeking a conceptual and research-informed account rather than a prescriptive handbook.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCritical analysis:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book traces how a growing performative culture restricts choices about how, when and what students learn, helping readers understand systemic change in higher education.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFocus on student rights:\u003c\/strong\u003e It highlights how compulsory attendance, graded class contribution and confessional reflective tasks can undermine students' rights and privacy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThree forms of performativity:\u003c\/strong\u003e The text identifies bodily, participative and emotional modes of student performativity, offering a useful framework for analysing different pressures on learners.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEvidence-based argument:\u003c\/strong\u003e The discussion draws on research into university practice to show how a hidden curriculum privileges certain personalities and learning styles.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAccessible critique:\u003c\/strong\u003e Written for an academic and professional audience, the book explains complex ideas in direct language useful for faculty debate and policy review.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe strongest audience for Freedom to Learn is academics, educational developers and higher education researchers who want a rigorous, research-led critique of student engagement practices and their ethical implications. Practitioners reviewing assessment and attendance policies will find the analysis helpful in reframing debates about autonomy and privacy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThose looking for practical step-by-step classroom activities or quick fixes to boost participation should look elsewhere; this is a reflective, theoretical text more suited to informing policy and scholarly discussion than providing immediate pedagogical templates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClear articulation of how performative pressures shape student behaviour and learning choices.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStrong focus on students' rights and the ethical implications of common engagement practices.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUseful conceptual framework in the three forms of performativity that aids analysis across contexts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLimited on practical, classroom-level solutions, which may disappoint readers seeking immediate strategies.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFreedom to Learn (Research into Higher Education)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBruce Macfarlane\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubject\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHigher education research and education theory\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFocus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStudent autonomy, performativity and engagement practices\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKey themes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCompulsory attendance, graded participation, group work, reflective tasks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAnalytical lens\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBodily, participative and emotional performativity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFreedom to Learn is a valuable, research-informed critique for academics and policy makers who need to interrogate the ethics of student engagement practices. It offers strong conceptual tools and a sustained argument about rights and autonomy, making it good value for readers aiming to rethink institutional policies even though it does not provide ready-made classroom interventions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the book argue against student participation?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt critiques compulsory or performative forms of participation that ignore student rights, rather than opposing genuine, voluntary engagement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho benefits most from reading this book?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHigher education researchers, faculty involved in policy decisions and educational developers will gain the most from its analysis.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it offer practical teaching strategies?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe book is stronger on critique and theory than on practical classroom recipes, so readers seeking immediate activities may need to supplement it.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bruce Macfarlane","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48241877876955,"sku":"0415729157","price":173.34,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/51-Bd9iEYZL._SL1400.jpg?v=1770714187","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/freedom-to-learn-research-into-higher-education-critical","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}