A challenging educational reform: politics of history textbook revision in North Cyprus

History education has been continually challenged by political competition in Cyprus. The education systems on both sides of the divide reflect the ongoing ethnic conflict and suffer from ethnocentrism. In particular, the history textbooks are used to convey and legitimise official narratives and reinforce identities defined vis-à-vis the other. As a result of the political debates in the early-2000s, a challenging process of educational reform and revision of history textbooks started in North Cyprus. This paper provides a historical perspective on the changes in the Cypriot history textbooks, and undertakes an in-depth comparative analysis of the old, revised and re-revised Cyprus history textbooks that have been used in schools from 1971 until the present day. The data was collected from document analysis of the textbooks used in lower- and upper-secondary schools both before and after the education reform.     

Improving mathematics instruction through lesson study: a theoretical model and North American case

This article presents a theoretical model of lesson study, an approach to instructional improvement that originated in Japan. The theoretical model includes four lesson study features (investigation, planning, research lesson, and reflection) and three pathways through which lesson study improves instruction: changes in teachers’ knowledge and beliefs; changes in professional community; and changes in teaching–learning resources. The model thus suggests that development of teachers’ knowledge and professional community (not just improved lesson plans) are instructional improvement mechanisms within lesson study. The theoretical model is used to examine the “auditable trail” of data from a North American lesson study case, yielding evidence that the lesson study work affected each of the three pathways. We argue that the case provides an “existence proof” of the potential effectiveness of lesson study outside Japan. Limitations of the case are discussed, including (1) the nature of data available from the “auditable trail” and (2) generalizability to other lesson study efforts.

Factors influencing the demand for higher education: The case of Cyprus

The proportion of young people opting for third level education in Cyprus is exceptionally high, currently about 60% of the relevant age group. This has caused concern among the country's policy makers who are aware of the limited capacity of the Cyprus economy to accommodate the increasing supply of higher education graduates. In the present study, an attempt is made to identify and examine the factors influencing young Cypriots to select higher education over direct employment at the end of their secondary education. A survey was conducted among 811 final form secondary school students in Cyprus in the academic year 1993/1994. Through factor analysis, seven factors with a potential effect on the students' educational and occupational intentions were identified. They were the following: Psychological/Individual, Occupational I, Occupational II, Economic, Consumption, Secondary School Subjects, and Significant Others. These factors, along with a number of student background characteristics (gender, socioeconomic status, ability, and secondary school specialisation) were used as explanatory variables in a logistic regression model with the student's educational intentions serving as the dependent variable. The psychological/individual factor, the second occupational factor, and secondary school specialisation were shown to have a significant effect on the intention to pursue third level education. The paper points to the importance of analysing and examining student characteristics and motivational patterns in the effort to understand, and, if possible, influence trends in the demand for higher education.     

Assessing Undergraduate University Students' Level of Knowledge,Attitudes and Behaviour Towards Biodiversity: A case study in Cyprus

Biodiversity is a key resource as it provides both goods and services to society. However, humans value these resources differently, especially when biodiversity is exploited for its economic potential; a destruction on a scale rarely seen before. In order to decrease the threats that biodiversity is facing due to human activity, globally (climate change) and locally (economic development), individuals must have fundamental knowledge and exhibit appropriate behaviour towards biodiversity and its values.

Nevertheless, the effect of human's knowledge, policies and attitudes towards biodiversity's protection are often limited by insufficient education and public support. A balance between the use of resources and technology, reconciling economic development and the need to maintain biodiversity is a challenge.

The current paper looks into the knowledge level, attitudes and behaviour of university students of the Department of Environmental Science and Technology at the Cyprus University of Technology towards biodiversity. The investigation was carried out using a closed format questionnaire on a sample of first- and second-year university students (n?=?44), in order to access their perceptions and attitudes towards environmental issues regarding biodiversity. The questionnaire was derived from relevant literature. The test results showed that there are significant differences with regard to the level of knowledge about biodiversity between the two groups. However, no significant differences were found on attitudes and behaviour towards biodiversity. The results have also shown that all students have a positive attitude towards biodiversity, while on the other hand, they find themselves, most of the time, unwilling to engage in environmental behaviour.     

Inclusive education policies and the feasibility of educational change: the case of Cyprus

Given the ecumenical pleas and legislative imperatives for more inclusive educational policy and practice, Cyprus has been steadfastly heading towards the realignment of its educational legislation towards a more inclusive discourse. This has been especially true after the implacable criticisms that the UNESCO report cast on the Cyprus educational system in 1997. After that there were, among other things, co‐ordinated efforts to accelerate the voting of the 1999 Special Educational Law that proclaimed the rights of disabled children to be educated along with their peers in mainstream classrooms. It is evident, however, that by no means can the theorisation of educational change be confined to the legislative attempts and their consequences. Rather, the attempts towards educational change should encompass the structural as well as the ideological bases upon which the education system is predicated. The official legislation constitutes a single parameter of the entangled network of interconnections and interdependencies underpinning special education policy and practice. Change is based on an array of factors permeating both agents and structures in the constitution of historical periods.     

浅析在校大学生婚姻行为的＂可行性＂

2005年9月教育部正式颁布实施了新的〈普通高等学校学生管理规定〉,其中对在校大学生结婚＂开禁＂成为一个热点问题,它是对在校大学生结婚权的法律认可,但同时在校大学生结婚存在诸多弊端,高校、社会、家庭应积极做好应对措施,才能更好地引导在校大学生理智地使用自己手中的结婚权.     

British Colonial Higher Education Policy-making in the 1930s: The case of a plan to establish a university in Cyprus

This article examines Britain's colonial education policy in Cyprus in the late 1930s, and more specifically, its efforts to establish a university on the island. The British unpublished plan for a university in Cyprus is considered in the light of the particular social and political context of Cyprus and also in relation to Britain's broader colonial education policy. Primary source material is used as the basis for investigation and analysis.     

Multidisciplinary assessment: a case study

Ann Starr, Curriculum Co-ordinator, Rosehill School, Worcester, and Penny Lacey, Lecturer in Special Education, The University of Birmingham, discuss aspects of the assessment of children with complex disabilities by professisonals from a variety of disciplines. Some of the problems and possibilities of working together are presented in a case study from a special school for pupils with physical and complex disabilities.     

莎翁戏剧观照下的北路壮剧爱情婚姻观

爱情是文学作品永恒的话题,中西剧作家历来都以独特的理念、视角、方式在其作品中演绎着各种各样的爱情婚姻观。本文在莎翁戏剧观照下,系统研究多部壮剧传统剧目,探讨鲜明的北路壮剧的爱情婚姻观特点,有助于加深对北路壮剧乃至壮族文化的理解,促进北路壮剧的传承、发展和外宣。     

Evolution of a laptop university: a case study

Technology is integral to carrying out many types of business transactions and has become entwined in the very fabric of everyday life. In the educational environment—particularly higher education—technology is underutilised as a pedagogical tool and in many cases remains largely untapped. Winona State University and its laptop programme learned some valuable lessons from the marriage between the application of the Seven Principles of Good Practice in Undergraduate Education and technology. The transformation into a leading laptop university was neither smooth nor easy, but it is a successful case about principle‐centred technological change and improved student learning outcomes.     

The communicative competences of students and teachers in different levels of education in North Cyprus

This study was conducted in order to determine the beliefs of students and teachers in different levels of education about their communicative competences. The study group of this research is consisted of 600 secondary school, high school and undergraduate students and 41 of their teachers. In this study, it is observed that not a significant correlation at a considerable degree exists in the communicative competences of students with their teachers, who are from different nationalities, gender and levels. Furthermore, regarding students, educated at different levels, no relation has been observed in their communicative competences with their teachers. Moreover, while students consider their communicative competences with their teachers to be moderately adequate, teachers consider their communicative competences with their students to be adequate in general.     

Access to numeracy: a case study

More and more pupils with learning difficulties are being taught in mainstream settings but how inclusive is the teaching they experience? In this illustrative case study, Ruth Germain, a teacher in a mainstream primary school, looks at how Paul, a pupil with Down's syndrome, is supported during 'dedicated numeracy time'. She examines the relationships between whole-class, group and individual teaching; the nature of the support Paul receives; and his educational and behavioural responses. The article closes with a call for further research into the implications for teaching and learning of the inclusion of pupils with learning difficulties in mainstream contexts.     

数形结合信息选择题分类例析

数形结合信息选择题形式简洁、条件隐藏,是高考的重点.常见于直线、二次函数、幂函数和指数函数当中.     

Practices of parental participation: a case study

The nature of parental participation in children’s education is changing rapidly. A growing body of research points to the positive effect that parental involvement has on outcomes of schooling and on children’s well‐being. This paper examines parental participation practices in terms of parents working together with a range of professionals, exchanging knowledge and information regarding their child’s SEN, challenging practices, and negotiating SEN provision. The parents in this study exercised agency – that is, they showed resilience and took initiative, within a context of shared responsibility and accountability, and advocated for their child’s right to educational provision. This paper argues for a strengths‐based approach towards enabling active parental participation and advocacy.     

Spelling Remediation: a single case study

An 11 year‐old spelling retarded boy was exposed to two different remediation programmes over 21 weeks. The first phase of the study was devoted to practice on a machine which allows two attempts at spelling a given word before presenting its correct spelling on a visual display panel. In the second phase, a rule‐based approach was introduced to teach those words which the child had failed to learn in Phase I. By the end of Phase I, the child had mastered over half the stimulus words and most of these were retained at follow‐up. However, progress was slow, and no generalisation occurred to matched untaught words. The rule‐based approach was effective in the immediate short term, but only half the stimulus words learnt were retained at follow‐up and no generalisation took place to untaught words. The design of the study did not allow for comparison of the relative efficacy of the two approaches. It was concluded that remedial instruction needs to span a much longer time period if it is to result in significant long‐term improvement in spelling skills.     

The danger of domestication: a case study

Attempting to apply the ideas of Third World theorists to First World contexts is an inherently risky enterprise: the danger of domestication is ever‐present. In this article the author examines this thesis with reference to the work of the highly influential Brazilian adult educator, Paulo Freire. Four problematic tendencies are highlighted: the failure to consider Freire's work in its social context; fragmentation in reading Freirean texts; reductionism in appropriating Freirean principles and practices; and the reluctance to assess Freire's ideas critically.     

苦荞营养粉的研制

本文采用苦荞面粉、大豆粉、黄精、甘草和安赛蜜,通过适宜的工艺制作,得到苦荞含量高、口感舒适、加工方便的苦荞营养粉。     

Efficacy of a mentor academy program: a case study

The purpose of our study was to report the long-term impact or training efficacy of mentor training from the perspective of mentees at a single institution. Twelve mentees representing seven faculty graduates of a mentor training program were interviewed. Data were analyzed using grounded theory. Training resulted in improved goal setting and meeting frequency and increased attentiveness to career development. Results related to communication styles shared expectations, difficult conversations, and promoting scientific independence were mixed. Changes to instructional practices and the implementation of active learning experiences are recommended to enhance the efficacy of the program and to address mentee’s professional developmental needs.