The globalization of learning: Paradigm or paradox?

‘Globalization of Learning’ is one of the most recent of the buzz-words and phrases which have gained currency in educational discourse, resembling in this sense, ‘development’, ‘accountability’, ‘education as cultural imperialism’, ‘curriculum renewal’ and ‘paradigm shift’. Like these, ‘globalization of learning’ is a relatively easily understood and accepted notion. It is also a ‘large’ concept that temptingly invites academic trend-followers to identify a range of its manifestations in one or more societies. The purpose of the present paper is to subject the whole notion of the globalization of learning to sceptical enquiry. The paper begins, by attempting to clarify the concepts involved in ‘the globalization of learning’. It proceeds in a roughly Hegelian way, attempting to identify, as part of a thesis, the arguments adduced to establish that the globalization of learning exists and has importance. An antithesis emerges from the identification of suspect arguments. In an effort to reach conclusions about whether globalization of learning is an accurate and valuable modern paradigm or, instead, a contradiction in terms, evidence is presented, the combined effect of which is to cast doubt on the extent and importance of globalization of learning. The paper tentatively concludes with a set of alternatives to the globalization of learning, principally by advancing the claims of the individuation of understanding.     

The paradox of reducing class size and improving learning outcomes

This paper addresses four questions: What are the effects of reducing class size? How important are these effects? How can we explain these effects? and How can we improve the outcomes when class sizes are reduced? A major aim is to provide directions for resolving the paradox as to “Why reducing class size has not led to major improvements in student learning?” and the conclusion is that class size reductions can lead to worthwhile increases provided certain conditions are met.     

The non-formal arts learning sector,youth provision,and paradox in the learning city

ABSTRACT

The ‘learning city’ contains a range of non-formal learning economies. In recent years researchers have focused on, what has been termed, the non-formal arts learning sector, to document best practices, the emergence of new literacies and/or cultural practices, and to highlight interventions that support otherwise marginalised and underserved communities. Yet, for all of this attention, the non-formal learning sector has remained an opaque object, defined by hazy boundaries, diverse programme structures, and a presence in cities that is difficult to grasp. In this paper we develop an account of the non-formal arts learning sector for socially disadvantaged youth by treating it as a ‘socio-technical assemblage’ of the learning city. We draw on data from the Youthsites research project and examine the history, priorities, and tensions in the sector between 1995 and 2015, a period when the youth arts sector has become a significant feature of urban space. We trace the emergence of the sector in three global cities, analyse a series of paradoxes linked to income and property, the labelling of youth, and organisation aims, and show how these paradoxes shape the sector’s broader relationship with the state, labour and consumer markets, and related institutions that allocate support for young people.     

The paradox of Scotland: limited credit transfer in a credit-based lifelong learning system

On paper, Scotland has a highly permeable, unified system of lifelong learning underpinned by the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework. Recent reports suggest that the reality is less positive. This paper examines credit transfer in Scotland across three interfaces: between general and pre-vocational learning and vocational education and training (VET); within VET; and between VET and university degrees. It finds that credit transfer across the first two interfaces is limited; credit transfer at the third interface is more frequent but often problematic. One explanation is that the system is designed around credit accumulation rather than credit transfer; this, together with other features of the Scottish system, means that a degree of permeability is built in without the need for formal credit transfer. But a second explanation highlights the epistemological, institutional and political barriers to a unified system. The paper illustrates the importance of distinguishing among different types of credit system and the limitations of credit and qualifications frameworks as agents of change in the face of the institutional logics of national education and training systems. The capacity of cross-national credit systems to support mobility between national systems should not be exaggerated.     

A paradox in radiation heat transfer

Heat transfer between two surfaces usually increases when the temperature difference between the two surfaces increases. Here we highlight an unusual situation in radiation heat transfer wherein the heat transfer decreases when the temperature difference increases.     

The innovation paradox: a selective review of the literature on action learning and innovation

This paper explores selective literatures in the two fields of action learning and innovation, and seeks insights into the processes of, and connections between, innovation, engagement and implementation. We searched the action learning articles for references to innovation, beginning with the work of Revans, who highlights the innovation paradox, which becomes a key theme of this paper. We searched the very large innovation literature for references to innovation as a learning process and as a factor in organisational learning. The paper surveys the factors said to enable innovation, and briefly outlines some inhibitors, before considering Revans’ contribution to thinking about innovation. This is followed by a consideration of developments in action learning and innovation since Revans. The findings suggest that paradox theory is a useful way of thinking about innovation, conceived of as a practical problem involving resistances and frequent failures of implementation and adoption, and also propose action learning as a means of working with and addressing paradox. A limitation of this study is its lack of empirical data. Further research could usefully interrogate examples of innovation practices and ask such questions as to why innovation remains so elusive, and how innovative capacities and capabilities can be developed and enhanced.     

对吉布斯佯谬的一种解决方法

本文根据熵为广延量这一性质解决了“吉布斯佯谬”问题.     

一个关于滑动摩擦力做功的佯谬

在目前普遍流行的物理教科书中，存在着对滑动摩擦力做的功的错误算法．产生这一错误的原因是因为没有区别由牛顿第二定律推导出来的质心动能定理中的摩擦力的功和热力学第一定律中的摩擦力的功．在质心动能定理中摩擦力的功是虚功，在热力学第一定律中摩擦力的功是实功．本文给出了在特殊情形下计算滑动摩擦力做实功的方法．     

论我国人力资本的悖论

我国人力资本存在着诸多悖论现象.在人力资本存量上相对过剩与绝对缺短并存,高素质人才与低素质人口同在;在人力资本流向上吸引与流失相悖;劳动力市场同时存在失业与空位;人力资本投资既不足又过度.所有这些悖论的根源是结构失衡.建立统一健全的劳动力市场,消除限制劳动力流动的障碍,就会使人们自觉地投资于教育,进而提高人口素质,使人力资本的结构与经济结构相协调.     

范畴学习中分类学习与推理学习的对比研究

实验室有关范畴学习的研究只局限于对分类的研究上,这就导致在分类研究基础上提出的范畴理论不能适用于其他非分类范畴学习任务。对分类学习与推理学习进行比较,表明不同的范畴学习类型影响范畴表征,所以应当拓展实验室范畴学习的研究范围。     

Classical angular momentum of light: A paradox and its resolution

Angular momentum carried by a classical circularly polarized electromagnetic plane wave (light) appears to be identically zero inasmuch as its linear field-momentum density is directed along wave propagation, and, therefore, the angular momentum, being the integrated moment of the linear momentum density about an axis parallel to the direction of propagation, necessarily vanishes — in detail. This, however, contradicts the established fact that circularly polarized light does carry angular momentum that remains classically non-zero. The paradox is resolved in a physically transparent manner by treating this problem as that of a transversely bounded, and hence necessarily non-trans verse, electromagnetic wave propagating along a circular waveguide, in the limit as its radius tends to infinity. We get a non-zero angular momentum that bears the correct ratio to wave energy. This angular momentum derives essentially and exactly from the boundary conditions for the geometry considered. This is an interesting example of surface terms giving a volume (bulk) contribution, much as in the entirely different context of orbital diamagnetism, which was regarded as a surprise of theoretical physics by Rudolf Peierls.[1]     

这个时代有点儿怪

历史长河中,矛盾充斥在我们的周遭:楼房变高了,人的性情却急躁了;道路变宽了,人的思想却狭隘了。我们花费的多了,拥有的却少了;我们购买的多了,享受的却少了。我们拥有的房子更大了,家庭却小了;条件更便利了,时间却少了。学位多了,却缺少见识;知识增了,却缺乏判断力。专家多了,问题     

A learning foundation

This article suggests that many of the problems afflicting modern educational systems may best be characterized as discontinuities of age, class, race, discipline and organisation. On the basis of this diagnosis, the essay suggests an alternative educational institution — the Learning Foundation — as a model for reorganising the delivery of educational services in order to provide learning opportunities for all ages and levels of experience at the point of the local neighbourhood but supported by the services of central resources units. The governing structure of the Learning Foundation would vest major power in the local learning groups. It would utilise a new teaching role through the development of “educational organisers”, who would apply community organising techniques to the provision of learning opportunities. The idea of this innovative educational institution is supported by a theory of institutional change which emphasises the role of alternative institutions in the reform of social systems. This suggested institution is offered both as a model for evaluating other institutions and as the first approximation of a plan for implementation.     

Teachers’ professional vulnerability and cultural tradition: A Chinese paradox

The paper explores the issue of teachers’ professional vulnerability using a range of messages from an online teachers’ community on the Chinese mainland. The study reveals how macro changes at policy level impact on teachers’ professional relationships and in turn their professional identities in teacher discussants’ perceptions. Furthermore, the paper argues that the Chinese cultural tradition somehow adds to teachers’ professional vulnerability. While the tradition used to give teachers authority, it imposes burdens on teachers and subjects them to close scrutiny, which consequently make them feel more vulnerable. The paper concludes with critical reflections on its methodology and findings, calling for further research into the issue.     

深入解剖逻辑悖论

现实世界中纷繁杂乱的事物皆以因果律发展变化着，而普通逻辑学中的逻辑蕴涵关系并不是因果律，这才导致了逻辑悖论。只有因果律才能彻底解决逻辑悖论问题。