Introduction: Improving Learning and Participation in the 21st Century Educational Environment

This book is attempting to bring to the reader an eclectic group of examples of educational practices, which will assist in improving the knowledge of the reader. Many respected academics express their skills and expertise in the various projects, which promote good teaching practice. If you are a practitioner and reading this book then you are already interested in adapting your style and open to suggestions for improvement, as we all should be in the role that we are in. No book is complete or can be regarded as the authority on any subject and this one does not profess to be. Continual improvement in our methods is a laudable goal in the academic profession and this book will afford the reader some excellent insights and discussion points but what aspects are regarded as useful, will depend on the individual taste of each reader. It would be an understatement to suggest that education is as important as it is universally desirable and that most governments and international organisations continually strive to provide access to education whether it be primary, secondary or tertiary in type. An educated population adds value to the country whether in social benefits or that of a more skilled workforce. If we agree that the promotion of widely accessible education is key to a functioning state then the quality of that education system is paramount. The key aspect to successful education is that of being free from government interference and that aside, the main ingredient is that of the quality of the instruction, whether in the school or university system.