Higher education professionals' perspectives on international student experiences of life and learning in Ireland: a qualitative study

Although numerous studies have explored international students' experiences, there is a dearth of research exploring the perspectives of professionals who have contact with international students. The present study addresses this gap in the literature by providing an analysis of higher educational professionals' (n=11) perspectives of international students' experiences and analysing the challenges which arise when working with international students. In this study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with staff from a large Irish Higher Education Institution. Participants described a range of difficulties experienced by international students, including sociocultural and psychological difficulties, and outlined a number of challenges which exist when dealing with international students, most of which relate to cultural differences and lack of interest in internationalisation. The findings have important policy and practical implications for higher education service provision and point to the need to consider internationalisation as a process which can be enriching for international students, host students and staff members alike.     

NewLink with Computers

The above authors, all from the Department of Adult Education, Nottingham University, have developed computerbased education and training for disabled adults in six centres in the East Midlands. In its service to the students – if not in its resourcing – it is a model for others to follow.     

Discussions in Cyberspace: Promoting Interactivity in an Asynchronous Sociology Course

Asynchronous courses (taught exclusively via computer-mediated communication) present particular pedagogical dilemmas. This article builds on the assumption that interactivity (regular patterns of written communication between the instructor and students and among students) is an important strategy to facilitate learning and reduce isolation in asynchronous courses. Based on my experiences as an instructor in this medium, I discuss my attempts to initiate and promote discussion. Data from three semesters of my asynchronous course reflect a general increase in interactivity as well as a decrease in problematic patterns of interaction.     

Home and School Support for Gifted Children

GIFTED EDUCATION programs typically underrepresent children from minority ethnic and low income backgrounds. In this study, uncommon screening measures were used to identify an equity sample of 68 potentially gifted youngsters in the United States who would participate in a summer institute. The instruction offered these preschool and primary grade students was complimented by a learning component for their parents. A common and differentiated curriculum was developed for Anglo and Hispanic parents based on their expressed expectations regarding child development. Findings show that schools can serve communities better when opportunities for growth are provided to parents as well as their children.     

KEY INFORMANTS' PERSPECTIVES ON TEACHER LEARNING IN SCOTLAND

ABSTRACT:   This article outlines the policy context for teachers' learning and continuing professional development in Scotland and considers this in relation to the perspectives of key informants gained through interview. The analysis draws on a triple-lens conceptual framework and points to some interesting contradictions between the policy text and the expressed aspirations of the interviewees. Current policy and the associated structural arrangements are viewed as broadly positive, but interviewees express concerns that an unintended emphasis on contractual arrangements might inhibit the more transformative elements of professional learning.     

Collaborative continuing professional development (CPD) for teachers in Scotland: aspirations,opportunities and barriers

This paper explores stakeholders' views on the desirability of collaborative continuing professional development (CPD) and examines potential barriers. It draws on two projects which each explore perceptions of CPD for teachers in Scotland. The data include interviews with key informants and with practising teachers as well as survey data from Year 2–6 teachers. Analysis of data reveals an aspirational view of collaborative CPD, yet some of the data also reveal a pragmatic, occupational approach to CPD where the structure of the CPD framework is seen as fixed and not conducive to collaborative endeavour. The data are analysed with reference to the triple lens framework which offers a composite framework for understanding teacher learning. The analysis is considered in relation to both the growing literature on collaborative CPD and the current policy context in Scotland, drawing out key messages of relevance to wider European and international contexts.     

Leveraging Technology and Staffing in Developing a New Liaison Program

With nearly all library resources and services delivered digitally, librarians working for the New York University Health Sciences Library struggled with maintaining awareness of changing user needs, understanding barriers faced in using library resources and services, and determining knowledge management challenges across the organization. A liaison program was created to provide opportunities for librarians to meaningfully engage with users. The program was directed toward a subset of high-priority user groups to provide focused engagement with these users. Responsibility for providing routine reference service was reduced for liaison librarians to provide maximum time to engage with their assigned user communities.