Language science in the tertiary curriculum

The goal of linguistics has been in dispute since its origin as a scientific discipline. The situation remains confused and consequently the curricular position of linguistics is ambiguous. An examination of the historical reasons for this indicates the following conclusions: At the time when language was first proposed as a subject for scientific study the natural sciences were still dominated by the mechanical model of Newtonian physics; this attitude of mind has inhibited the development of linguistics.Further development ought logically to depend on the harmonisation of linguistics with modern scientific concepts, such as relativity, probability, system and field. Such a move would constitute in part a new goal for linguistics. If such an innovation is admitted, those areas where language study overlaps with other subjects, e.g. psychology, logic and anthropology, provide natural exit points for a study of language and the epistemology of science.Linguistics is therefore capable of serving as a foundational discipline in a liberal arts curriculum. Its particular claim to assume this role lies in the fact that language is the object of both humanistic and scientific study. Hence to give linguistics a more central role in the tertiary curriculum offers a fundamental educational benefit in narrowing the cultural gap between the arts and science, and it is worth considering a change of emphasis in the curriculum to achieve this end.The aim of this paper is not to suggest detailed changes but to stimulate discussion of this consideration.     

Language competency,dyslexia, and learning disability

Annals of Dyslexia -     

Improving curriculum alignment and achieving learning goals by making the curriculum visible

Curriculum alignment is crucial in realizing learning objectives, but in higher education the alignment is often challenged by practical problems. The adverse effect of misalignment is further amplified by the lack of student awareness of their position within the curriculum. We argue for the importance of the visibility of learning trajectories across the curriculum and discuss the implementation of a digital curriculum mapping tool. We use four case studies to discuss how the tool was employed along four themes: curriculum development, visibility, assessment, and learning enhancement. This article discusses the pitfalls and best practices in the process of introducing a new method of enhancing curriculum visibility.     

生物学新课程与个性化学习方案

本文就生物学新课程实施过程中个性化学习方案推出的理由、生物学新课程与促进个性化学习的策略、意义等三个方面作了阐述。     

数学新谋改下的“体验学习”

传统的数学教学是学生被动吸收、机械记忆、反复练习、强化储存的过程，没有主体的体验。教师在教学中应让学生经历学习过程，充分体验数学学习，感受成功的喜悦，增强信心，从而达到学会学习的目的。     

Humans,nonhumans and the mediation of workplace learning in the senior school curriculum

This paper brings together concepts drawn from Actor Network Theory and data generated in a research project that was conducted across the island of Ireland. Using surveys and interviews with school staff, that research explored the limits and possibilities for workplace learning as a valued component of the senior school curriculum. The current paper works with the data from the Republic of Ireland only and brings into focus the full range of actors – both human and nonhuman – that generate, or constrain, productive workplace learning opportunities for students. In the wake of the Great Recession, it is suggested that such opportunities have gained increased importance. The analysis suggests attention to the full range of actors highlights areas for intervention, and the possibilities for alliances that may be beneficial for students and their schools, for employers who provide workplace learning placements, and for vocational learning itself.     

Blending Learning和信息技术与课程整合

随着对E-learning的研究转入低潮，人们开始冷静思考总结经验教训，于是将传统课堂教育和E-learning的优势相结合，产生了Blending Learning的概念。而观今学校教育中最红火的莫过于信息技术与课程整合，这符合素质教育以及21世纪人才培养目标的要求。本文拟从Blending Learning为信息技术与课程整合带来的新启示这个角度着手，探讨如何将Blending Learning的思想融入课程整合中，以期为整合带来新思路、扩展新道路。     

Planning, teaching and assessing the curriculum for pupils with learning difficulties: curriculum guidelines to support the revised National Curriculum

In this article, Ian Colwill and Nick Peacey provide an authoritative commentary on the publication of QCA's guidelines on developing the curriculum for pupils with learning difficulties. They link these guidelines to the recent review of the National Curriculum and identify some of the key contributions these guidelines can make to planning, teaching and assessment. The authors conclude by raising some challenging issues for future practice and enquiry.
Ian Colwill and Nick Peacey were both principal managers at QCA with responsibility for Curriculum Co-ordination and Support and Equal Opportunities and Access respectively. They co-chaired the Steering Group for the curriculum guidelines project. Ian Colwill supervised the production of the booklets and the website.     

The national curriculum vs. the ideal curriculum: acknowledging student learning interests

For many students, school is a place that makes no sense; a place where students’ interests are not reflected in the curriculum. Using mixed methods research, we developed an instrument that identifies student interests. This instrument was applied in a pilot study that considered 10th-grade students from three schools in Santiago, Chile. We compared student interest and national curriculum for different factors and established how well aligned these are. The results reveal that private school students prefer subjects that require greater cognitive development, related to Young’s powerful knowledge. Students from voucher schools, on the other hand, prefer to develop their knowledge of the arts and physical education, both of which are subjects they tend to enjoy. These findings are coherent with Bernstein’s theories. This pattern is also repeated when comparing high-performing students with their low-performing counterparts, regardless of school type. The findings of this study not only help identify which subjects the students want to study, but also to understand the reasons behind their preferences. Understanding these reasons is key for developing a more contextualised curriculum that makes more sense to the students.