Musselin,Christine & Teixeira,Pedro N ed (2014) Reforming higher education Springer (Berlin) isbn 978‐94‐007‐7027‐0 233 pp £90 http://www.springer.com/education+%26+language/higher+education/book/978‐94‐007‐7027‐0

As a whole, this is an extraordinary book if you wish to study and understand the evolution of higher education—especially in Europe in these times of change of educational paradigms generated by the Bologna Process. However, if the subject of this book is relevant to you as a learning technologist, I advise that you will probably find only parts of it of interest or use. Jesus Garcia Laborda     

Hattie,John (2012) Visible learning for teachers Routledge (New York & London) isbn 978‐0‐415‐69015‐7 269 pp £22.99www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415690157/

Visible learning for teachers, written for both new and experienced teachers, discusses data derived from 1000 meta‐analyses of the effectiveness of over 150 different procedures used in teaching. Most of the findings are considered under six main headings: Preparing the classroom; Starting the lesson; The flow of the lesson—learning; The flow of the lesson—feedback; and The end of the lesson. If the content of this book is likely to be relevant to you, I recommend you arrange to borrow a copy. James Hartley     

Torrance,Mark et al ed (2012) Learning to write effectively Brill (Leiden,Netherlands) isbn 978‐1‐78052‐928‐8 431 pp €113.95 http://www.brill.com/learning‐write‐effectively‐current‐trends‐european‐research

The European Co‐operation in Science and Technology Research Network supported European research on learning to write effectively from 2008 to 2011. This book outlines the results—with eight editors presenting over ninety contributions from people in a dozen or more European countries. There are four sections: writing development; learning and teaching writing; document design; and tools for studying writing. Thus the coverage is broad, but thin. It's probably best to order this text for the library unless you are personally involved in research on writing. James Hartley     

Hasse,Cathrine (2015) An anthropology of learning. Springer (Berlin) isbn 978‐94‐017‐9605‐7 320 pp £90 (ebook £72) http://www.springer.com/us/book/9789401796057#

This book combines cultural models with practice‐based learning to develop a new theory of cultural learning. Drawing on insights from anthropology, it argues how collective and social cultures can emerge from an “engaged” learning process. The book opens a new window on human learning; however, you will probably find only parts of it of some interest or use. Mohammad Ali Salmani Nodoushan     

Sachs,Judyth & Parsell,Mitch ed (2014) Peer review of learning and teaching in higher education Springer (Berlin) isbn 978‐94‐007‐7638‐8 219 pp £90 http://www.springer.com/education+%26+language/learning+%26+instruction/book/978‐94‐007‐7638‐8

This clearly written and pertinent text provides a comprehensive, detailed and critical overview of current peer review practice in higher education. Its effective Introduction should enable readers to identify and move quickly to the contributions they are likely to find useful or stimulating—or both! Is the content of this book likely to be relevant to you? If it is, I recommend you buy your own copy. John Cowan     

DeVillar,Robert A et al ed (2013) Transforming education Peter Lang (New York & Bern) isbn 978‐1‐4331‐2037‐4 280 pp £25 (paper & e‐book; boards £96) http://www.peterlang.com/download/datasheet/77946/datasheet_312038.pdf

This book looks at how key areas of education are currently being revised all over the world—thus leading the reader to understand the new paradigms of the early 21^st century. It is a welcome volume that is a must for those genuinely interested in observing how education evolves internationally. If the content of this book could be relevant to you, I recommend that you arrange to borrow a copy for a while in order to decide. Jesús García Laborda     

Oldknow,Adrian & Knights,Carol ed (2013) Mathematics education with digital technology Bloomsbury (London) isbn 978‐0‐5672‐5028‐5 272 pp £24.99 http://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/mathematics‐education‐with‐digital‐technology‐9781441184726/

This book looks at the impact of digital technologies on the teaching and learning of mathematics. The focus is on learning at school and most of the twenty‐nine invited contributions are drawn from England and the US. Mathematics education with digital technology will be of interest to school teachers, teacher‐educators and educational technologists. If it is likely to be relevant to you, I recommend that you borrow a copy for a while. Pete Cannell     

Jones,Christopher (2015) Networked learning. Springer (Berlin) isbn 978‐3‐319‐01934‐5 249 pp £90 boards (ebook £72) http://www.springer.com/us/book/9783319019338

This book is largely about how people connect with each other and with digital technologies, and how this affects their learning. It reviews existing literature on networked learning and describes the role of universities and academics in that approach. Jones's book targets anyone interested in learning technology, and— if you are in that group—I recommend that you borrow a copy for a while. Mohammad Ali Salmani Nodoushan     

Kinshuk,Huang et al ed (2015) Ubiquitous learning environments and technologies. Springer (Berlin) isbn 978‐3‐662‐44659‐1 320 pp €99.99 (ebook €83.29) http://www.springer.com/us/book/9783662446584

Ubiquitous learning is new, so therefore still very far from universal implementation in education. This volume offers support for interested teachers and researchers. It brings both theoretical and practical ideas to implement ubiquitous contexts for learning. While paying attention to the development of both individual and collective learning, it also creates the reader's interest in going into further depth. A great volume written to learn, create and enjoy: if this is, or could be, your field, I recommend you buy a copy. Jesús García Laborda     

Thouësny,Sylvie & Bradley,Linda ed (2011) Second language teaching and learning with technology (Research‐publishing.net,Dublin) isbn 978‐1‐908416‐00‐1 217 pp Free of charge http://research‐publishing.net/publication/978‐1‐908416‐00‐1.pdf

This ten chapter volume intends to approach a number of current issues “from well‐established web‐based learning environments to mobile learning, through current web 2.0 applications such as blogs, which foster intercultural contexts and/or diverse means of computer‐mediated interaction”. In this sense, the valuable book aims to enable readers to gain a deep understanding of the field and to provide research procedures and processes to facilitate the learning of foreign languages through the use of information technology. If you expect the content of this book to be relevant to you, I recommend that you buy a copy for your own use. Jesús García Laborda     

Thouësny,Sylvie & Bradley,Linda ed (2011) Second language teaching and learning with technology (Research‐publishing.net,Dublin) isbn 978‐1‐908416‐00‐1 217 pp Free of charge http://research‐publishing.net/publication/978‐1‐908416‐00‐1.pdf

This ten‐chapter volume aims to approach a number of current issues “from well‐established web‐based learning environments to mobile learning, through current web 2.0 applications such as blogs, which foster intercultural contexts and/or diverse means of computer‐mediated interaction”. In this sense, this valuable book aims to enable readers to gain a deep understanding of the field and to provide research procedures and processes to facilitate the learning of foreign languages through the use of information technology. If the content of this book is likely to be important to you, I recommend you buy a copy. Jesús García Laborda     

Perry,Fred L & Nichols,Joe D (2015) Understanding research in education Routledge (New York & London) isbn 978‐1‐138‐77642‐5 243 pp £34.99 http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9781138776425/

Ostensibly, this textbook was written for those who want and need to be consumers of educational research. It serves that readership extremely well. Equally, however, I would warmly recommend it to those preparing their first educational submissions for publication; they'll find splendid advice here about what to do—and what not to do. If this book is very likely to be relevant to your work, I strongly suggest that you buy a copy. John Cowan     

Vogt,W Paul et al (2012) When to use what research design Guilford Press (New York,and Routledge,London) isbn 978‐1‐4625‐0353‐7 378 pp £26.99http://www.guilford.com/cgi‐bin/cartscript.cgi?page=pr/vogt.htm&dir=research/res_tech&cart_id=614506.1286

As their title claims, the writers concentrate on clear advice about how and when to choose particular research methods. They do so in a scholarly and well‐ordered coverage that is extensive, thorough, useful … and, in this full detail, unusual in educational literature. Everyone contemplating research—whether undergraduate, postgraduate or experienced researcher—should obtain, consult and use their own personal copy. John Cowan     

Banaji,Shakuntala & Buckingham,David (2013) The civic web MIT Press (Cambridge MA & London) isbn 978‐0‐262‐01964‐4 185 pp £20.95 https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/civic‐web

With the sub‐title “Young people, the internet, and civic participation”, The civic web recognises that youngsters are now well along the path to fully and seamlessly integrated offline and online lives. How can we ensure these young people become and remain fully engaged in their wider society and worlds now and throughout their lifetimes? It applies to teachers insofar as “digital media are part of the taken‐for‐granted social and cultural fabric of learning, play, and social communication”. There is some relevance to formal learning technology here, but the recommendation is that you borrow a copy for thought‐provoking “spare‐time” reading. Eric Deeson     

Ridden,Phil & Heldsinger,Sandy (2014) What teachers need to know about assessment and reporting acer Press (Victoria & Eurospan,London) isbn 978‐1‐74286‐111‐1 160 pp £25.95 http://www.isbs.com/collections/acer‐press/products/9781742861111

Teachers involved in literacy and numeracy testing will find in this book a valuable support to understand the why, how and what to assess. It is an informative volume that will give you practical information, guidance and deep understanding of what is behind a test. A must for Australian teachers, it is a great help for general practitioners and a valuable tool for the international audience. I suggest you borrow a copy if this book seems relevant. Jesús García Laborda     

Harvey,Michael (2012) Interactional coaching Routledge (New York & London) isbn 978‐0‐415‐61472‐6 262 pp £17.99 http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415614726/

As the title makes clear, this is a book devoted to coaching—in this context, a one‐to‐one approach to development in which the coach, ideally an applied psychologist, identifies the needs of the coachee and pro‐actively sets out to prompt the coachee to perceive and address his/her needs regarding decision‐making and career choices, and to make these choices expeditiously. If you believe the content of this book is likely to be relevant to you, I advise that you will probably find only parts of it of interest or use. John Cowan     

Philips,Rob et al (2012) Evaluating e‐learning Routledge (New York & London) isbn 978‐0‐415‐88194‐4 207 pp £25.99 http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415881944/

This book seeks to formalise approaches to e‐learning by ensuring that e‐resource design is evaluated and appropriately supported by evidence. The book is aimed at academics who design e‐learning systems and need to devise scholarly evaluation research to assess their success. If this book's likely to relate closely to what you do, I suggest you borrow a copy so you can assess it for yourself. John G Hedberg     

Pedler,Mike & Abbott,Christine (2013) Facilitating action learning McGraw‐Hill (Maidenhead & New York) isbn 978‐033524597‐0 204 pp £19.99 http://www.mheducation.co.uk/9780335245970‐emea‐facilitating‐action‐learning‐a‐practitioners‐guide

This most helpful book supports action learning practitioners in organising collaborative working and knowledge generation and implementation. The case studies help inspire and motivate readers to take action, and the book as a whole leans towards practical guidance rather than being loaded with theory. It's a readable text for aspiring action learning practitioners aiming to drive forward and implement such ideas, and to share learning at system‐wide scale. It also serves as a quick reference guide for the personal libraries of more seasoned practitioners and other leaders and developers. If the content of this book is likely to be relevant to you, I recommend that you buy a copy for your own use. Nancy El‐Farargy     

Miller,Suzanne M & McVee,Mary B ed (2012) Multimodal composing in classrooms Routledge (New York & London) isbn 978‐0‐415‐89747‐1 161 pp £27.99 http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415897471/

Multimodal composing in classrooms aims to encourage school teachers to change their view of literacy, through the analysis of experiences of multimodal literacies in a variety of learning contexts. Literacy entails not only reading and writing, but, working in different modes, effectively expressing oneself and understanding others’ expressions. Developing multimodal literacies is a powerful tool to foster learning and understanding and hence to improve school education. If what this book is about is likely to appeal to you, I recommend that you arrange to borrow a copy for a while. Giuliana Dettori     

Goodfellow,Robin & Lea,Mary R ed (2013) Literacy in the digital university Routledge (New York & London) isbn 978‐0‐415‐53797‐1 213 pp £24.99 http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415537971/

This book brings together practice and theory from the interface between academic and digital literacy, learning and teaching, and learning technologies. It argues for the importance of digital literacy at the heart of approaches to learning and teaching in the modern university. It is highly recommended for teachers, educational developers, practitioners in learning technology, and policy makers in higher education. Indeed, if this book's content is likely to be relevant to you, I recommend you buy a copy for yourself. Pete Cannell