Narratives of Student Engagement in an Alternative Learning Context

The concept of student engagement is critical in the discussion of school reform. This issue is particularly important in dropout prevention programs such as the alternative high school, although little empirical work guides intervention efforts. In this qualitative research, ethnographic observations were combined with interviews with 24 students and 12 teachers to examine how the offerings of the learning environment interact with the processes of engagement through the perspective of students in a high-functioning alternative high school. Youth narratives provide an account of the development of engagement in the context of supportive relationships and a caring school community. Findings suggest that affective engagement precedes school identification and behavioral commitments to learning. Their narratives aid in understanding how students construct stories of transition in the schooling process, and help to contextualize current theories that describe engagement in learning for youth placed at risk.     

Understanding and Promoting Resilience in the Context of Adverse Childhood Experiences

Brain development in the early years is especially susceptible to toxic stress caused by adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). According to epigenetics research, toxic stress has the capacity to physically change a child’s brain and be hardwired into the child’s biology via genes in the DNA. The compelling nature of the impact of early adversity on later health and development has generated interest in protection against the impact of early adversity. Research highlights three interrelated “core protective systems” associated with positive adaptation. Early childhood educators are in a unique position to play a role in early identification of ACEs and to contribute to the development of protective skills. Adults within the early childhood education community can assist in increasing physical health and mental well-being for children who have encountered ACEs. Safe and healthy environments that allow the child to play, explore, and maximize his/her capacities are examples of how individual protective factors can be enhanced. Early childhood educators can support the child’s protective system by building the child’s personal attributes associated with resiliency, such as self-efficacy and self-regulation. Early childhood educators can provide a secure relationship, which is especially critical for children who have experienced trauma because it can provide extra support in times of stress. Additionally, by working collaboratively with parents, early childhood educators provide an additional layer of protection for children who experience adversity. Lastly, at the community level, early childhood educators can bring awareness to the public and private sectors by informing others of ACEs effect on early brain development and the link to later outcomes on individuals and society. Society is positively impacted when ACEs are reduced and individuals are raised in thriving families and communities.     

在国际背景下远程教育的规划与管理

这篇论文分析了远程学习中发生的全球化变革,包括组织结构(远程教育和远程培训)、项目结构(从独立学习到协作学习)和全球学习社团(从象牙塔到学习形式整合),以及远程学习的发展和多样性.文章中提出了一个整体规划的案例,讨论了组织管理决策中远程学习定位的管理规则、教学中的技术应用、成本、教师工作量、远程学习的地位,以及质量评估和鉴定等问题.与狭义的策略规划不同的是,整体规划强调内在的力量,考虑可能的选择方案,基于项目的开发,灵活和整合的系统,整个组织朝着灵活和整合的方向发展,以及以组织的文化历史为基础.最后,文章讨论了本研究对远程教育的组织布局、管理和学术的思考、成本、教师利益以及国际化等主题的实践意义.     

An Examination of Resilience Processes in Context: The Case of Tasha

This research examined resilience processes in context through a narrative case study of Tasha, a young African-American woman who grew up in a poverty-ridden area of a mid-sized city in the Southeast. Personal and external data are analyzed and interpreted in terms of contextually defined themes of adversity (i.e., intersectionality of social identities, lack of attachment to her primary caregiver, and teenage pregnancy); adaptation (i.e., high school graduation, career goal-setting, commitment to her children, and “street” competence); and, protective processes (i.e., individual attributes, natural mentors, and extended family support). The importance of external sources of support and Tasha as an active agent in her development is highlighted. Research and practical implications are discussed.     

Argumentation,Dialogue Theory,and Probability Modeling: Alternative Frameworks for Argumentation Research in Education

Toulmin's model of argumentation, developed in 1958, has guided much argumentation research in education. However, argumentation theory in philosophy and cognitive science has advanced considerably since 1958. There are currently several alternative frameworks of argumentation that can be useful for both research and practice in education. These frameworks include Walton's dialogue theory and Bayesian models of everyday arguments. This article reviews and evaluates these frameworks and shows how each can be applied instructionally (e.g., through the teaching of critical questions or probability modeling) and, from a research standpoint, in evaluating the content and quality of informal arguments. It is concluded that attention to these and other contemporary argumentation frameworks can help move the study of argumentation in education forward.     

Putting Field Education in Context

Abstract

The social work profession has become increasingly concerned about student indifference toward research and the scarcity of practitioner-initiated contributions to the field's present, and potential future knowledge base. Social work educators are seeking innovative teaching methods to promote student interest in, and understanding of research by requiring students to concurrently apply knowledge and skills acquired in the classroom with problems presently encountered by community practitioners. To generate student appreciation and enthusiasm for research, a service learning component was introduced in an undergraduate social work research methods course in collaboration with a local social service organization whose director served as the course's co-instructor. Outcomes from a post-study suggest that the course elements might make research less intimidating and more interesting, while making it more applicable to the real world.     

中国语境下的后现代主义教育

后现代主义对现代教育进行了彻底否定,在后现代主义理念的观照下,教育将不再回避片面发展的人,教学将要打破线性和预设,提倡非线性和随机,课堂中的师生将进行平等对话,但是在中国语境下,后现代教育理论存在很多问题,我们不应盲从。     

教育个性化背景下的远程教育

该文通过审视教育个性化的历史和教育个性化与远程教育的关系,讨论如何借助 +远程教育促进教育的个性化发展。文章指出,教育个性化一是满足不同个性学习者的需要,二是促进学生个性的和谐发展。文章探讨了远程教育对教育个性化思想的理论体现和实践措施。这些措施包括办学方向的多元化、教学内容的适切性、教学方法的适应性以及教学手段的选择性。     

浅论教育国际化视野下的双语教育

双语教育是基础教育顺应教育国际化潮流的产物。双语教育立足语言,通过多样化的交流形式,传播各方文化,达到拓展视野、开阔胸襟、灵活思维、提升能力、完善人格的目的。文章在双语教育内涵的基础上,从双语教育的基础、视野、目的、资源和形式几方面介绍了双语教育的特性,并指出其实践方向。     

Conductive Education in a New Context

This month an independent research team from Birmingham University is due to report to the Department for Education on its assessment of the first three years' work of the Birmingham Institute for Conductive Education. Its findings, if published, will arouse wide interest. Meanwhile, Mike Lambert, director, Centre for Research and Development at the Birmingham Institute, reviews the way the National Curriculum has been introduced and how far it seems compatible with conductive education. This is the first journal article to examine this issue.     

Media Education in a New Context

Abstract

The ICEM Conference which was held in Lisbon in October 1997 was entitled ‘Education for Media’. This article presents some reflections from one of the Portuguese representatives, a TV researcher and producer, on the discussions which took place during the conference, and looks at some of the implications which can perhaps be felt world wide     

Modeling Student Test‐Taking Motivation in the Context of an Adaptive Achievement Test

This study examined the utility of response time‐based analyses in understanding the behavior of unmotivated test takers. For the data from an adaptive achievement test, patterns of observed rapid‐guessing behavior and item response accuracy were compared to the behavior expected under several types of models that have been proposed to represent unmotivated test taking behavior. Test taker behavior was found to be inconsistent with these models, with the exception of the effort‐moderated model. Effort‐moderated scoring was found to both yield scores that were more accurate than those found under traditional scoring, and exhibit improved person fit statistics. In addition, an effort‐guided adaptive test was proposed and shown by a simulation study to alleviate item difficulty mistargeting caused by unmotivated test taking.     

马克思主义和谐教育思想语境中的素质教育

从人的本质、人的全面发展、人的个性的充分而自由的发展来看,都离不开人的和谐发展。和谐发展像一条红线贯穿在人的各个方面的发展之中。没有和谐发展,就不会有人的本性的协调发展、人的全面发展、个性的充分而自由的发展。马克思主义和谐教育思想与其全面发展思想、个性自由发展思想是完全一致的,而且把和谐教育思想的发展推向一个新的阶段、新的高度。马克思主义和谐教育思想对我国素质教育具有重要的理论价值和实践意义,它是我国当前和今后素质教育中渗透和谐教育思想的指针。在实施素质教育的过程中,应当着重抓好6个方面的和谐关系。     

Context Problems in Realistic Mathematics Education: A Calculus Course as an Example

This article discusses the role of context problems, as they are used in the Dutch approach that is known as realistic mathematics education (RME). In RME, context problems are intended for supporting a reinvention process that enables students to come to grips with formal mathematics. This approach is primarily described from an instructional-design perspective. The instructional designer tries to construe a route by which the conventional mathematics can be reinvented. Such a reinvention route will be paved with context problems that offer the students opportunities for progressive mathematizing. Context problems are defined as problems of which the problem situation is experientially real to the student. An RME design for a calculus course is taken as an example, to illustrate that the theory based on the design heuristic using context problems and modeling, which was developed for primary school mathematics, also fits an advanced topic such as calculus. Special attention is given to the RME heuristic that refer to the role models can play in a shift from a model of situated activity to a model for mathematical reasoning. In light of this model-of/model-for shift, it is argued that discrete functions and their graphs play a key role as an intermediary between the context problems that have to be solved and the formal calculus that is developed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

翻转课堂:高中法治教育的可选方式

翻转课堂是国际上较为流行的以学生为主体和激发学习兴趣为主旨的一种教学创新模式。翻转课堂与高中法治教育在教育理论和学习行为方式上具有天然的契合性。在高中法治教育中采取翻转课堂是我国未来教育教学改革的一种可选方式。     

独辟蹊径的人生观教育

2004年12月10日的《文汇报》刊登了张百年先生的《匪夷所思的人生观教育》,文中提到:西安一中学语文教师布置初二学生为自己写墓志铭。据说是给学生提供一个思考自己人生的机会,以培养学生正确的人生观、价值观。张百年先生认为,让刚十几岁的孩子去想自己的死这样一件终结人生的特大事件,不仅是残酷的,而且是不合情理的。笔者倒是认为,西安这位中学教师为我国的人生观教育开辟了一条新型而有效的途径,人们大可不必“毛骨悚然”(张百年先生语)。具体原因如下: