Macfarlane, B. (2017). Freedom to Learn: The Treat to Student Academic Freedom and Why it Needs to be Reclaimed. London: Routledge

Abstract

In this book, Macfarlane engages with the notion of students’ freedom to learn which he defines as personal freedom to live the way they want to live their lives, political freedom in that students contribute to decision-making processes without domesticating their voice, and the right to learn as they decide what to learn, when to learn and how. He argues, as adult learners, students should have autonomy over choices and decisions such as these. He views this autonomy as crucial to providing students an opportunity to better understand their world and control what they want to do with their lives. Macfarlane argues, “if students are to be able to develop their own capabilities as independent learners and thinkers, they need to be provided with the choices, opportunities, encouragement and conducive environment in which to do so” (p. 26). He bemoans that university practices aimed at supporting student engagement, though well intentioned, ultimately fail to support an environment where students are trusted as adults responsible for making decisions on what they want to do. In his view, university policies and practices fail to acknowledge students’ individual differences and preferences, consequently alienating them in the process.