Making Teaching Work: Teaching Smarter in Post-Compulsory Education

In this review of Making Teaching Work, the authors Phil Race and Ruth Pickford offer a practical, jargon-free guide aimed at teachers in universities and colleges who need sensible, time-saving approaches to assessment, feedback and classroom practice. The single biggest reason to consider this book is its clear focus on helping busy staff teach smarter rather than harder; by emphasising the learner and drawing on contemporary literature it gives immediately usable ideas for improving effectiveness and efficiency in everyday teaching work.

Key Features

• Practical orientation: The book prioritises down-to-earth strategies that teachers can apply in real classroom and assessment contexts to make learning happen.
• Learner-focused approach: By framing teaching around learner needs the text helps staff design tasks and feedback that support actual student progress.
• Workload-aware advice: The authors offer ways to balance teaching duties, assessment and administration so staff can manage increasing paperwork without sacrificing quality.
• Accessible synthesis of literature: It references modern research on assessment and feedback in a readable way so readers can follow evidence without wading through jargon.
• Designed for varied contracts: Written with both full-time and part-time staff in mind, the book addresses constraints common to casual and permanent teaching roles.

Who It's For

Making Teaching Work suits lecturers, tutors and teaching fellows in post-compulsory education who want pragmatic, efficient methods rather than theoretical exposition. It is particularly useful for staff juggling heavy administration and looking for ways to reduce unnecessary workload while keeping learning outcomes central.

Those looking for a deep theoretical treatise or a specialist manual on one narrow assessment method may prefer a different, research-heavy title; this book is best when used as a practical companion to everyday teaching practice rather than a primary research reference.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Clear, jargon-free language makes the ideas quick to read and implement.
• Focus on the learner provides practical ways to improve feedback and assessment.
• Advice tailored to both full-time and part-time staff reflects real workload pressures.

Cons

• Not a deep theoretical volume, so readers seeking exhaustive research detail will need supplementary sources.

Specifications

Our Verdict

Making Teaching Work is a sensible, value-for-money resource for busy educators who want immediate, actionable ideas to improve student learning and manage workload. Its practical, learner-centered focus makes it a worthwhile companion for university and college teachers who prefer clarity and usable tips over dense theoretical exposition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this book suitable for part-time tutors?
Yes. The authors explicitly write with both full-time and part-time staff in mind and offer strategies that fit varied working patterns.

Does the book cover assessment and feedback?
Yes. It includes practical reference to modern literature on assessment, teaching and feedback with an emphasis on applying those insights.

Is this a research-heavy textbook?
No. The book is intentionally jargon-free and practical rather than a deep theoretical volume, so it pairs well with more academic sources if detailed research is required.