The cost structure of higher education in further education colleges in England

This paper examines the cost of the increased provision of higher education courses within further education colleges in England. We believe this to be the first attempt to fit a cost function specifically to the further education sector. Cost functions for a sample of 96 colleges over a 2-year period, from 2000 to 2002, are fitted using a panel data methodology as well as stochastic frontier analysis. We compare and contrast our findings with a sample of 959 US colleges. Our findings indicate that most further education colleges are able to benefit from economies of scale. Results from both methodologies suggest the presence of product-specific economies of scale, substantial ray economies of scale and indicate that higher education classroom-based courses, such as business studies, as well as vocational courses display substantial economies of scope.     

How a Deweyan science education further enables ethics education

This paper questions the perceived divide between ‘science’ subject matter and ‘moral’ or ‘ethical’ subject matter. A difficulty that this assumed divide produces is that science teachers often feel that there needs to be ‘special treatment’ given to certain issues which are of an ethical or moral nature and which are ‘brought into’ the science class. The case is made in this article that dealing with ethical issues in the science class should not call for a sensitivity that is beyond the expertise of the science teacher. Indeed it is argued here that science teachers in particular have a great deal to offer in enabling ethics education. To overcome this perceived divide between science and values it needs to be recognised that the educative development of learners is both scientific and moral. I shall be using a Deweyan perspective to make the case that we as science teachers can overcome this apparent divide and significantly contribute to an ethics education of our students.     

Recent integrative trends in further education in England and Wales

This paper gives a survey of the development and current trends in the area of further education in England and Wales. It describes the wide range of functions further education has in the entire post-compulsory education sector. On the basis of statistical data, special emphasis is given to its tasks concerning some crucial areas, such as further education of juvenile unemployed and of the handicapped, education of adult immigrants and community education. The role of further education as a critical corrective for traditional university education is also stressed. In the internal system of further education, its integrative aspects are demonstrated by the examples of commercial training in trade and industry. The changes and extensions of the competent management bodies of the various parts of this sector are clearly discussed.

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Zusammenfassung Dieser Beitrag gibt einen Überblick über die Entwicklung und die weiteren Tendenzen im Bereich der Further Education in England und Wales. Ausgangspunkt is die sehr weitreichende Funktion der F-E (= Further Education) für den gesamten Bildungssektor nach Ende der Schulpflicht im Alter von 16 Jahren. Unter Einschluss von statistischen Daten werden besonders die Aufgaben der F-E für besondere pädagogische Brennpunkte wie z.B. der Weiterbildung jugendlicher Arbeitsloser, Behinderter, der Bildung der neuingewanderten Erwachsenen und der community education dargestellt. Die Rolle der F-E als kritischem Korrektiv zur traditionellen Universitätsausbildung erfährt eine besondere Würdigung. Im internen Ausbildungswesen der F-E werden die integrativen Aspekte an den Beispielen der kaufmännischen Ausbildung für Handel und Industrie hervorgehoben. Deutlich sichtbar werden für den Leser die Wechsel und Ergänzungen in den zuständigen Leitungsgremien der einzelnen Bereiche dieses Sektors.

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Résumé Cet article donne un aperçu du développement et des courants actuels dans le domaine de l'éducation post-scolaire en Angleterre et dans le Pays de Galles. Il décrit le large éventail des fonctions que l'éducation post-scolaire offre après les années d'enseignement obligatoire. Les statistiques montrent l'importance accordée à certains départements délicats tels que l'éducation post-scolaire des jeunes chômeurs, des handicapés, des immigrants adultes et de la communauté. L'auteur souligne aussi le rôle de correctif rigoureux joué par l'éducation post-scolaire dans l'éducation universitaire traditionnelle. Les aspects complémentaires du système intérieur de l'éducation post-scolaire sont illustrés par les exemples de la formation commerciale dans l'industrie et le négoce. La diversité, la concaténation et l'extension des tâches qui se proposent à la compétence des responsables de ce secteur particulier sont clairement expliquées.

     

The effectiveness of peer tutoring in further and higher education: A typology and review of the literature

Quality, outcomes and cost-effectiveness of methods of teaching and learning in colleges and universities are being scrutinised more closely. The increasing use of peer tutoring in this context necessitates a clear definition and typology, which are outlined. The theoretical advantages of peer tutoring are discussed and the research on peer tutoring in schools briefly considered. The substantial existing research on the effectiveness of the many different types and formats of peer tutoring within colleges and universities is then reviewed. Much is already known about the effectiveness of some types of peer tutoring and this merits wider dissemination to practitioners. Directions for future research are indicated.     

Social capital and the evaluation of inclusiveness in Scottish further education colleges

Educational establishments are now legally bound to create inclusive learning environments. However, successful implementation will depend on changes in the culture and ethos of these institutions, as well as shifts in the attitudes and practices of staff. This article reports on the findings of an evaluation of staff development sessions led by the Scottish Further Education Unit (SFEU). The social model of disability developed by disabled people was used to analyse the barriers to inclusiveness as identified by staff and students. Through the concept of ‘social capital’, which focuses on the networks, norms and trust between individuals, the extent to which SFEU staff development activities had led to more inclusive practice was assessed. An example of the way in which SFEU staff purposefully encouraged the establishment of social capital is given. Finally, the possibilities for the development of more inclusive further education contexts are discussed.     

Conflict in the colleges: industrial relations in further education since incorporation

This paper explains the high level of industrial action undertaken by further education lecturers in post-incorporation colleges in England and Wales. Four main sources of conflict (job losses, casualisation of employment, conditions of service and pay) are identified, but these are shown to be symptoms rather than causal factors. Rather, due weight should be given to the importance of structural factors relating to the way in which the incorporation policy was enacted, underpinned by the values and orientations of the key actors.     

理工科高校人文教育课程的构建

长期以来,我国理工科大学生人文教育的状况不尽人意。许多高校尤其是理工科高校的人文教育课程在总体上受到轻视,由此制约了大学生人文素质的培养,制约了大学生综合素质的提高。本文分析了大部分理工科高校的人文教育课程设置的现状,分析对比了国外人文教育课程设置特点,尝试性的对建立适合我国理工科高校的人文教育课程体系提出了一些建议。     

'Your Flexible Friends': Sessional lecturers in the UK further education sector,commitment, quality and service delivery

This research examines the utilisation of part-time lecturers in the further education (FE) sector and considers the impact that has on the quality of service delivery. The research has used qualitative and quantitative methods in a longitudinal study of a sample of 42 sessional lecturers drawn from colleges within the East Midlands. The article explores changes within the sector providing a literature review on the changing nature of the FE sector. The article then considers the experience and reality of those employed as sessional lecturers, highlighting the benefits of a flexible workforce to the organisation, but also considering some of the main issues surrounding its utilisation. The article concludes with reflections on the implications for college management of present trends in flexible staffing.     

Elementary science education library resources in graduate and undergraduate teacher education programs of new England

The purpose of this study was to compare elementary science education library resources available in graduate and undergraduate teacher education institutions in New England. A 31-item survey was sent to teacher education institutions certified to prepare elementary teachers. The survey had four components: (1) services (i.e., ERIC, computer search, etc.), (2) journal holdings/science (i.e., Science and Children, Science Education, etc.), and nonscience (i.e., Reading Teacher, Instructor, etc.), (3) resources available (i.e., elementary science textbooks, audio-visual materials, computer software, etc.), and (4) an open-ended question about what major resources were needed to help prepare preservice students to teach science. There was a 72% return rate from the 87 institutions. Data were analyzed by the FREQUENCIES and ONEWAY subprograms of SPSSX. Less than 34% of the non-graduate libraries had ERIC microfiche available, Dissertation Abstracts, and computer search capabilities services. There was significant difference between graduate and nongraduate institutions journal holdings for science education journals and indexes. The surveyed libraries had more elementary science textbooks published prior to 1980 than those published after 1980 and were severely lacking in computer software.     

Behind the Rhetoric: women academic staff in colleges of higher education in England

The paper is based on research into the position of women academic staff in a sample of colleges of higher education in England. This reveals a pattern of entrenched sexual inequality in these institutions, especially at middle and senior management levels. A similar pattern has been found in the university and polytechnic sectors of higher education. However, in the colleges there is an even greater disjunction between the sexual distribution of students and staff. The research is related to recent literature on equal opportunities in education. It is argued that the formal curriculum of equal opportunities is continually subverted by a hidden curriculum of unequal opportunities. Finally, several approaches to positive intervention are suggested.     

高校生命科学实践教学共享平台的建设

为了保证实践育人质量的不断提高,结合学科特点及人才培养方案,通过实践教学条件平台的科学规划与顶层设计、实验室设计与装备配备、信息化平台建设和实验室环境建设等方面,阐述了实践教学平台的建设思路、实施方案,搭建了基础、专业实训、实习融通的实践教学共享平台,为实践育人创造了优越的实践环境和发展空间。     

高师科学教育专业课程体系分析与构建

为适应基础教育课程改革,培养综合型科学课程师资,高师院校应加快建设科学教育专业,构建综合的课程体系。在传统师范教育课程体系基础上,按加强基础、学科并重、拓宽知识和整体优化的理念,构建了以必修课、限选修课和任选修课形式设置的普通文化课程、教育学科课程、教育实践课程、教育技能课程和学科专业课程组成的五模块课程体系。