From learning to development: a sociocultural approach to instruction

Theories of human development and learning provide an essential framework in which to understand the mechanisms involved in the process of formal instruction as a specific form of teaching and learning in the school setting. The sociocultural theory of development, founded on the works of Lev Vygotsky, espouses the view that social interaction among two or more people is the greatest motivating force in human development. Communication, via the use of language, provides one of the most effective means of social interaction. By collaborating toward a common cultural goal, people co‐construct new knowledge by building on each participant's contribution. Based on the main tenets of sociocultural theory, the following eight interrelated principles for instruction are presented, namely, that it should be: mediated; discursive; collaborative; responsive; contextualized; activity‐oriented; developmental; and integrated.     

A multilevel approach to understanding student and teacher perceptions of classroom support during early adolescence

Learning Environments Research - Supportive classroom environments are associated with improved student outcomes, particularly during early adolescence (ages 10–14 years). Applying...     

Making connections: a conference approach to developing transformative environmental and sustainability education within initial teacher education

Abstract

Children today face significant challenges in response to living in a globalised world and the predicted environmental threats to the planet. However, implementing environmental and sustainability education (ESE) within schools can be complex and is often ignored within initial teacher education (ITE). In response, this project aimed to evaluate pedagogies for developing transformative learning for ESE within the context of university-based ITE. We ran a conference for trainee teachers informed by critical, participatory and arts-based pedagogic approaches. Alongside this, we undertook an interpretive case study, collecting data through questionnaires, focus groups and in-conference spoken reflection. Findings suggest trainee teachers gained a more nuanced understanding of the value and nature of ESE, as well as more affective and informed engagement with it, across the conference. Implications for ESE within ITE focus around the potential of pedagogies which provide affective experiences, in particular participatory and arts-based pedagogical approaches, for inspiring and empowering trainee teachers to enter into schools and develop their own ESE practice as classroom teachers.     

Compatibility between cultural studies and conceptual change in science education: there is more to acknowledge than to fight straw men!

In this response, we attempt to clarify our position on conceptual change, state our position on mental models being a viable construct to represent learning, indicate important issues from the social cultural perspective that can inform our work on conceptual change and lastly comment on issues that we consider to be straw men. Above all we argue that there is no best theory of teaching and learning and argue for a multiple perspective approach to understanding science teaching and learning.

从认知到体验:中小学教材使用的具身转向

教材使用直接影响着教材功能的实现,身心分离的传统认识论下重视符号认知和知识灌输的"教教材"模式已经陷入困境,教师必须转向"用教材"以促进学生在心理和行为实践层面的具身体验学习。教师应该把具身体验作为教材资源开发的一笔财富,根据不同学段研发直观教学资源,利用身体经验开展隐喻教学促进学生对教材抽象知识的图式化建构。从教法的具身转向来看,要从遵循身体的自然节律使之张弛有度和谨慎处理身体约束及座位安排来优化学生的身体时空体验;此外应加强实践活动教学的实施,在学科课堂教学和综合实践活动课程中落实具身体验学习。     

Cognitive Research and Elementary Science Instruction: From the Laboratory,to the Classroom,and Back

Can cognitive research generate usable knowledge for elementary science instruction? Can issues raised by classroom practice drive the agenda of laboratory cognitive research? Answering yes to both questions, we advocate building a reciprocal interface between basic and applied research. We discuss five studies of the teaching, learning, and transfer of the “Control of Variables Strategy” in elementary school science. Beginning with investigations motivated by basic theoretical questions, we situate subsequent inquiries within authentic educational debates—contrasting hands-on manipulation of physical and virtual materials, evaluating direct instruction and discovery learning, replicating training methods in classroom, and narrowing science achievement gaps. We urge research programs to integrate basic research in “pure” laboratories with field work in “messy” classrooms. Finally, we suggest that those engaged in discussions about implications and applications of educational research focus on clearly defined instructional methods and procedures, rather than vague labels and outmoded “-isms.”     

Guidance as a whole school approach in Hong Kong: From remediation to student development

This paper presents the key guidance policy andpractice in Hong Kong schools. Initially, guidanceservices were reactive and remedial, aimed mainly atproblem students. Appraisal of the negative effects ofthe individual casework model led to a change to 'awhole school approach' to guidance. The focus ofguidance at the school level changed concomitantlyfrom remediation to prevention. This paper alsodiscusses the future development of the schoolguidance system in Hong Kong, specifically in the areaof developmental guidance. On the conceptual level, aclear distinction between remedial, preventive anddevelopmental guidance is needed. On the level ofpractice, the need is for the development of a wholeschool policy, a developmental guidance curriculum,and a clarification of the connection betweenguidance and discipline.     

Before ‘us’ and ‘now’: developing a sense of historical consciousness and identity at the museum

ABSTRACT

Young children seem to begin to develop a sense of historical consciousness and associated belonging to a wider collective identity prior to the commencement of formal schooling. Historical consciousness is a capacity to differentiate and also make connections between the past, present and future that contributes to a growing understanding of one’s own life and identity in the context of a historical past. The responses of 24 young children aged from 3 to 7 years visiting a small social history museum were analysed through photo-elicitation and parent reports. It would seem that the museum experience assisted in the development of foundational concepts of historical consciousness. Growth of a sense of historical identity was evident for some children, related to a sense of belonging to the ‘we’ of contemporary times in contrast to the ‘they’ of the past. The role of language to support young children’s understanding and thinking is highlighted by this research.     

Linking early alert systems and student retention: a survival analysis approach

Higher education institutions are increasingly seeking technological solutions to not only enhance the learning environment but also support students. In this study, we explored the case of an early alert system (EAS) at a regional university engaged in both on-campus and online teaching. Using a total of 16,142 observations captured between 2011 and 2013, we examined the relationship between EAS and the student retention rate. The results indicate that when controlling for demographic, institution, student performance and workload variables, the EAS is able to identify students who have a significantly higher risk of discontinuing from their studies. This implies that early intervention strategies are effective in addressing student retention, and thus an EAS is able to provide actionable information to the student support team.     

从“副业”走向“主业”：班主任专业化的应然选择

班主任是班级的组织者、领导者和教育者,是学生成长过程中影响深远的＂重要他人＂。但其角色历来以配角及兼任的身份示人,＂副业＂现象较为普遍。班主任角色的演变经历了一个从萌芽、规范、完善和专业化发展的不断调整和定位的过程。随着时代的呼唤、学生成长环境的日趋复杂,班主任工作从＂副业＂走向＂主业＂的专业化发展是必然的选择。     

From student to teacher: reducing practice shock and early dropout in the teaching profession

SUMMARY Shortage of teachers is one of the major challenges facing the teaching profession. One of its causes is the high proportion of dropout in initial teacher education and during the start of the career. Since 1995, a nation-wide project has been underway in the Netherlands, aiming at a decrease of dropout by incorporating an intensive practice period in the final year of the initial teacher training programme. An evaluation of the project shows that the practice shock and the resulting dropout rate were indeed reduced. Relevant factors seem to be the degree to which student teachers were accepted and deployed in the school, the supervision and mentoring provided, encouragement of reflection, and the gradual increase of independence.     

From a social to a cultural approach in the study of cognitive activities: The fundamental role of semiotic systems

The consideration of the semiotico-cultural dimension of cognitive development has failed to appear in most of the studies conducted in the psychosociology of cognitive constructions. The theoretical and epistemic implications which follow from it are discussed in relation to the contribution of the pragmatic and dialogical approaches of Peirce and Vygotsky. Recent research on the cognitive effects of the social signification of tasks can provide evidence of the semiotic dimension of social contexts of the knowledge insertion and thus introduce the notion of ‘virtual social reality’. A new interpretation of the effects of the performance transfers, observed in this kind of studies is proposed. The traditional explanations in terms of social experience and social marking are questioned through original research that whose results illustrate the fundamental role of the use and self-appropriation of sign systems.     

Changes in early adolescents' sense of responsibility to their parents in the United States and China: implications for academic functioning

This research examined American and Chinese children's sense of responsibility to their parents during early adolescence, with a focus on its implications for children's academic functioning. Four times over the seventh and eighth grades, 825 children (mean age = 12.73 years) in the United States and China reported on their sense of responsibility to their parents. Information on children's academic functioning was also collected from children as well as school records. Although children's sense of responsibility to their parents declined over the seventh and eighth grades in the United States, this was not the case in China. In both countries, children's sense of responsibility was predictive of enhanced academic functioning among children over time.     

Approaches and strategies for understanding the career development needs of migrants and refugees: the potential of a systems-based narrative approach

International Journal for Educational and Vocational Guidance - Addressing immigrants’ social and work inclusion is a priority at a time of increasing migration to Italy and Europe. Career...     

From oral to written language: a developmental and interventional perspective

The article discusses relations between early oral language abilities and reading and writing development as reflected in longitudinal research. The observation that poor reading is less accurately predicted than superior reading is documented, and developmental characteristics of poor readers and superior readers, respectively, are described. The importance of early intervention is emphasized both by reference to experimental research and by a documented high consistency between reading at grades 2–3 and reading in adolescence.