Open University books

How do we understand mental health problems in their social context? A former BMA Medical Book of the Year award winner, this book (read more)

How do we understand mental health problems in their social context? A former BMA Medical Book of the Year award winner, this book provides a sociological analysis of major areas of mental health and illness. The book considers contemporary and historical aspects of sociology, social psychiatry, policy and therapeutic law to help students develop an in-depth and critical approach to this complex subject. New developments for the sixth edition include:*Brand new chapter on aging and older people*Updated material on social class, ethnicity, user involvement, young people and adolescence*New coverage on prisons legalism and the rise of digital mental health management and delivery. A classic in its field, this well-established textbook offers a rich, contemporary and well-crafted overview of mental health and illness unrivalled by competitors and is essential reading for students and professionals studying a range of medical sociology and health-related courses. (hide)

A Student's Guide to Online Learning teaches you how to develop those skills through a range of advice, examples and practical exercises (read more)

A Student's Guide to Online Learning teaches you how to develop those skills through a range of advice, examples and practical exercises whether you are undertaking distance, wholly online or blended learning. Many students experience difficulties when dealing with the differences between learning in the traditional and digital environments.

A key component of the successful completion of any online or blended course is confidence and enjoyment, this book enables you to have both. This book covers all you need to know for your online course, including:*How to develop an academic online persona*How to communicate in synchronous and asynchronous situations including tutorials and forums*Tips on confidently networking behind the computer screen*Advice on qualifications, career paths and employability skills. (hide)

The text is a comprehensive guide to the most commonly used theories and methods in social work practice. The introductory chapter (read more)

The text is a comprehensive guide to the most commonly used theories and methods in social work practice. The introductory chapter covers the similarities and differences between a theory and a method, as well as psychosocial theories and concepts. Each subsequent chapter then explores in detail how to implement theories and methods, their strengths and limitations, alongside case examples, critical thinking questions and suggested further resources.

Key features:* Illustrative case studies * Exercises* Case examples* Critical thinking questions* Further readings/resources * Revised content, including the addition of genograms and ecomapsThis is a practical and essential guide for all social work students, practitioners, and practice educators who are working with students in field placements. The book is an updated third edition to a successful and established series. "The clarity with which Teater describes complex concepts for social workers is refreshing. (hide)

An Introduction to Mental Health for Paramedic Science explores how mental health problems impact on the individual in the context (read more)

An Introduction to Mental Health for Paramedic Science explores how mental health problems impact on the individual in the context of emergency medicine, covering the critical areas that students and practitioners need to know, such as: *The key characteristics of mental health problems*How mental health problems relate to the assessment performed in the community*Referral pathways*Treatment following referral. (hide)

Now in its third edition, this highly acclaimed resource is the ideal guide for student and practicing paramedics looking to refresh (read more)

Now in its third edition, this highly acclaimed resource is the ideal guide for student and practicing paramedics looking to refresh and consolidate their assessment skills. Assessment Skills for Paramedics has been thoroughly revised with fresh, up-to-date knowledge and national guidance. Divided into body systems and presented in a clear, accessible format the book takes the reader through the considerations and actions required for each type of emergency presentation.

New to this edition:*Histories, assessments and scenarios across multiple chapters. *Content covering the well-being of the paramedic. *Chapters including the review of systems (RoS) approach. (hide)

Becoming a Teacher provides a broad context for understanding education, addressing issues such as the influence of international (read more)

Becoming a Teacher provides a broad context for understanding education, addressing issues such as the influence of international policy and practice, education ideology and social justice. This is balanced with practical advice for the classroom on topics such as assessment for learning, learning technologies, literacy, numeracy and English as an additional language. Becoming a Teacher draws extensively on contemporary research and empirical evidence to support critical reflection about learning and teaching. (hide)

This new and updated edition of Characteristics of Effective Early Learning focuses on how children learn which is just as important (read more)

This new and updated edition of Characteristics of Effective Early Learning focuses on how children learn which is just as important as what they learn. The book helps practitioners understand their key role in supporting children's self-regulation skills and learning power through playing and exploring, active learning and thinking creatively and critically. It includes new chapters on affirmative parenting practices and the crucial role of adult communication partners in supporting children's learning.

The book:* Explains how emotional and cognitive self-regulation in the early years underpins lifelong learning* Investigates how children engage in learning through playing and exploring and are motivated through active learning* Explores how children become creative and critical thinkers, excited by their own learning power and able to review their own learning and thinking* Outlines how to approach observation, assessment and planning appropriately* Suggests how to continue the characteristics of effective learning into work with older children and staff teams. (hide)

Purposeful classroom talk, or oracy, is increasingly recognised as fundamental for supporting both personal and academic development (read more)

Purposeful classroom talk, or oracy, is increasingly recognised as fundamental for supporting both personal and academic development and for enhancing genuine participation in learning. Based on classroom observations and interviews, this book offers an analysis of schools' responses to improving the quality of both learning to talk and talking to learn.

The book explores classroom talk through the analysis and comparison of examples drawn from diverse schools and age groups, across primary and secondary education settings. Alongside a wealth of practical strategies, the book offers an insight into the realities of implementation, helping teachers to make well-informed judgments about developing classroom talk within their own schools. This book features:*Examples of lesson activities and resources, accompanied by explanations and advice from practitioners *Vivid depictions of real classroom practice with comprehensive analysis linked to up-to-date research and theory*Questions and prompts to promote reflection on the reader's own context*An emphasis on teachers' professional judgement and informed implementation of oracy practices. (hide)

As technology becomes more widespread and the world continues to change in many other ways, teachers have adapted to allow education (read more)

As technology becomes more widespread and the world continues to change in many other ways, teachers have adapted to allow education to evolve with the 21st century. This book provides theoretical foundations and highly practical strategies for classrooms tackling modern challenges, drawing in part on the ideas and experiences of practising teachers. The authors highlight how crucial education is for equipping future generations with the skills for individual, societal and planetary wellbeing, while still considering the pressures of 'teaching to the test'. (hide)

The new edition of this key text offers an accessible guide to clinical governance across a range of healthcare settings. Designed (read more)

The new edition of this key text offers an accessible guide to clinical governance across a range of healthcare settings. Designed to help students, practitioners, and professionals deliver quality care to patients and to improve overall patient experience, this new edition is packed with practical insight into how individuals can contribute to clinical governance. Grounded in the application of clinical governance, this text benefits from thorough worked examples of common causality diagrams; up to date consideration of high profile clinical governance case studies; reflective activities as well as tips and real experiences to help readers apply the theory to practice.

This is the go-to book for students, practitioners and professionals across health and allied health disciplines including mental health nursing, midwifery, physiotherapy and occupational therapy. Mary Gottwald is currently an Associate Lecturer at Oxford Brookes University, UK, and also supports students in Hong Kong. Prior to this she was Principal Lecturer at the University and has been in education since 1979.
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