The algorithm of mathematical modelling for learning styles of pre-school children

This study examines pre-school children's learning styles by utilising a mathematical model. The model uses a Euclidean geometry algorithm to generate a graphical representation of the learning styles. The algorithm of the developed mathematical model was developed as a practical application of the theoretical assumptions. Index of Learning Styles for Children (ILSC), developed by one of the researchers, has been applied to a total of 301 five-year-old children. Results of the study indicate that children utilise the active, cognitive and visual learning styles under the control of the right hemisphere, and the sequential (analytical) learning styles under the control of the left hemisphere. The modelling algorithm reveals that the children's learning style preferences are shifted towards the right hemisphere at the rate of 8%. The results also provide empirical support that the developed model can mathematically explain the theoretical assumptions it is based on.     

Learning through action: Parallel learning processes in children and adults

Experiential learning has become an essential part of many educational settings from infancy through adulthood. While the effectiveness of active learning has been evaluated in youth and adult settings, few known studies have compared the learning processes of children and adults within the same project. This article contrasts the active learning processes of children and adults by chronicling a service learning project in the United States in which 19 university students implemented an anti-bias curriculum with 112 young children. Findings are interpreted in relation to David Kolb's model of experiential learning. Implications for classroom practice and theory are discussed.     

A researcher-facilitator's reflection: Implementing a Singapore case of learning study

This paper reports a researcher-facilitator's reflection of implementing a professional development approach, and serves to address the inadequate attention given to the influence of researcher-facilitators in professional development efforts. The researcher-facilitator's experiences were compared to four Grade 9–10 Singapore Science teachers participating in a variation theory-framed learning study that promoted teacher research and collaboration. Extending current understandings of implementation and sustainability challenges, an analysis employing conceptual change framework surfaced three issues, namely, the choice and role of theoretical framework, degrees of openness to differences in patterns of variation, and role of a researcher-facilitator. Insights emerging from the reflection are discussed.     

从“做中学”到建构主义——探究学习的理论轨迹

从杜威的“做中学”到时下的建构主义,教学研究和实践到底走出了多远?杜威的“做中学”思想中可以提炼出两个原型:手工艺活动和科学研究活动。这两个原型都在后来的研究之中得到了新的发展:从实践活动场景到实践共同体;从实验室到科学共同体。它们在发展方向上殊途同归,都强调了“做”背后的社会文化属性。看清近百年教学思想的发展轨迹有利于我们避免教学改革中的左右摇摆和形式主义。     

论学习范式的转换——从知识行为走向自主行为

从学习认知理论入手,以建构主义的学习观与课程观为基础,结合学生知识习得的实际以及现代技术发展的要求,提出了学习范式转换的必要性。同时阐述了学习范式转换的核心应该是从简单的知识行为走向自主行为,并提出了开展有效的自主学习行为的途径。     

The Playing Learning Child: Towards a pedagogy of early childhood

From children's own perspective, play and learning are not always separate in practices during early years. The purpose of this article is, first, to scrutinise the background and character of early years education in terms of play and learning. Second, to elaborate the findings of several years of research about children's learning in preschool related to the curriculum of early years education and, finally, to propose a sustainable pedagogy for the future, which does not separate play from learning but draws upon the similarities in character in order to promote creativity in future generations. Introducing the notions of act and object of learning and play (by act we mean how children play and learn and with the object we mean what children play and learn) we will chisel out an alternative early childhood education approach, here called developmental pedagogy, based on recent research in the field of play and learning, but also related to earlier approaches to early education.     

Application of the learning cycle to a course on play

Abstract

Laboratory schools play an important role in furthering the study of child development and education. Budget cutbacks at universities have threatened the existence of many lab schools, and a growing number are expanding to full‐day programming to develop more consistent sources of funding. As lab schools evolve we must consider how they can best sustain their teaching, research, and outreach missions while managing increased service demands. This article explores one lab school's struggle with balancing academic and service missions while moving to full‐day programming and the lessons learned in the process. Implications for other expanding lab school programs are discussed.     

The development of learning patterns of student teachers: a cross-sectional and longitudinal study

Research on learning pattern development during pre-service teacher education is scarce. In a cross-sectional (study 1) and longitudinal study (study 2) the development of learning patterns of student teachers is analysed. Participants in study 1 were 646 first-year and 350 third-year student teachers enrolled in an initial pre-service teacher education programme. 236 student teachers participated in study 2. Vermunt’s’ Inventory of Learning Styles was used to assess differences in learning patterns. By examining intra-individual changes in learning patterns we expected to find developmental trends within learning patterns. Results show that meaning oriented learning increases over time and undirected learning decreases. Some learning patterns are however more subject to change than others. The development of learning patterns was found to be relative and dependent on the learning pattern which students have already mastered in the first-year of a teacher education programme.     

Inquiry-Based Early Childhood Teacher Preparation: The Personal Learning Plan Method

The purpose of this paper is to describe a Personal Learning Plan method used in undergraduate early childhood education courses as a specific case of learner-centered, inquiry-based instruction. A rationale for this approach to instruction, the instructional context in which the specific method was developed and used, the method framework (i.e., preliminary and final plans, activities, products, and reflections), and the evaluation process will be discussed. Finally, a discussion of the perceived benefits and challenges of the method as it has been implemented will be presented.     

Lesson study: A collaborative approach to scholarship for teaching and learning in higher education

The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning has become an important field of inquiry, focusing on the development of new and critical pedagogic approaches in higher education. It is a broad field leading to the emergence of a number of contrasting perspectives concerning the development of insights into teaching and learning. In this article, we explore the potential for Lesson Study to act as a framework for reflecting on and developing pedagogic practice in the university sector. Originating in Japan over a century ago, Lesson Study is a collaborative tool for analysing and developing understanding of student learning. This makes it an ideal tool for capturing and interrogating new and critical insights into teaching and learning. An outline framework is suggested for developing the use of Lesson Study in higher education and we discuss how it can form a positive methodology for extending the work of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning.     

设计最优化学习环境:OECD研究的视角

设计最优化学习环境是面向21世纪的"适应性教育"所提出的要求,它有助于学习者形成"适应性能力"。OECD的研究认为,要善于提炼新学习的基本特征,这就是主动建构、自我调节、情境相依和协同努力。与此相连的新学习本质观主张:在学习过程中学习者应积极投身于学习活动中,持续努力,确保成功;重视学习者已有知识,强化知识组织,形成合理的知识结构与线索,形成一种完整的知识图景;遵循信息加工能力的限制条件,重视学习中动机、情感与认知的动态交互;培养学习者理解概念、通晓程序和自我调节的协调能力,致力于达到学习迁移的效果。为此,设计最优化学习环境的基本原则是:生本教学、自我调节;注重交往、善用合作;关注动机、情知相依;利用旧知、因人施教;富有挑战、减负增效;紧扣目标、不断反馈;学科融合和内外互通。     

Exploring an experiential learning project through Kolb's Learning Theory using a qualitative research method

Experiential learning pedagogy is taking a lead in the development of graduate attributes and educational aims as these are of prime importance for society. This paper shows a community service experiential project conducted in China. The project enabled students to serve the affected community in a post-earthquake area by applying their knowledge and skills. This paper documented the students’ learning process from their project goals, pre-trip preparations, work progress, obstacles encountered to the final results and reflections. Using the data gathered from a focus group interview approach, the four components of Kolb's learning cycle, the concrete experience, reflection observation, abstract conceptualisation and active experimentation, have been shown to transform and internalise student's learning experience, achieving a variety of learning outcomes. The author will also explore how this community service type of experiential learning in the engineering discipline allowed students to experience deep learning and develop their graduate attributes.     

Service-learning in early childhood teacher education: Using service to put meaning back into learning

Service-learning is defined as a teaching/learning method that connects meaningful community service with academic learning, personal growth, and civic responsibility. In this study, conducted at an American University, we describe a cascading model of integrating early childhood teacher education and service-learning for preservice teachers who then implemented the combined model in their field classrooms with young children. Examples of the projects from the two cohorts of 25 and 26 undergraduate students are provided. We demonstrate that service-learning projects provide an instructional avenue for preservice students to teach in an integrated and/or experiential manner in their field classrooms and discuss why service-learning is an appropriate and meaningful strategy to use with preservice teachers and children.     

早期学习与发展标准的制订:又一份国家指导性文件的诞生

近年来，在联合国儿童基金会的大力支持与推动下，很多国家包括中国参与了其制订早期儿童学习与发展标准的项目，并取得了实质性进展。文章以文献综述的形式介绍了这些国家制订早期学习与发展标准的背景、进程、遇到的挑战及对后续工作的展望，以让幼教界N4=-对此标准的制订有一个整体了解。     

Early childcare enrollment and the pursuit of higher education: A Canadian longitudinal study

This study examined the associations between childcare attendance among 550 children from 24 to 36 months of age and their enrollment in higher education in young adulthood. We conducted a propensity score matching analysis to control the selection bias for childcare attendance and estimated the average treatment effect for the treated on the odds of enrollment in higher education. Children who attended informal childcare (i.e., with a relative or nanny) were more likely to pursue higher education in young adulthood relative to children in formal childcare (i.e., center-based or licensed home-based childcare). However, heterogeneity in our sample revealed that attending formal childcare increased the probability of enrollment in higher education for children from low-income and non-employed families. This study suggests that attending informal childcare in Canada in 1994–1995 benefited all children over 20 years later, whereas attending formal childcare appears to be protective for children from more disadvantaged families.     

Play and gender in Ontario kindergarten classrooms: implications for literacy learning

Research has highlighted the importance of early literacy development. In light of this, there has been a growing concern around boys’ underachievement on language and literacy assessments. Given the recent mandate for play-based learning in Ontario kindergartens, this paper examines children's literacy integration during play from a gender perspective. An analysis of 380 minutes of children's play revealed that girls and boys often played separately across the 12 kindergarten classrooms in this study. Importantly, the centres at which girls and boys played offered different literacy support. Our findings showed that gender played a salient role in children's play choices affecting the types of academic skills children practiced in their play. In this paper, we shed light on the need for gender awareness and sensitivity in policy mandates and teacher practice.     

Little changes,big results: the impact of simple changes to early years learning environments

The Strengthening Foundations of Learning (SFL) project is an early years CPD intervention and part of the wider Preparing for Life (PFL) Initiative in an area of urban disadvantage in Dublin, Ireland. Working within the context of the Aistear curriculum framework, and building on research evidence on the importance of practitioners to quality Early Childhood Education (ECE), the primary aim of the project is to improve the quality of early years practice. The two-year project provides a complex training and mentoring programme to educators in order to deliver ‘the best outcomes for children’. This paper presents findings from the evaluation of the ‘learning environment’ strand. The findings indicate that the embedded nature of CPD used in the SFL project has resulted in positive changes in early years practice and pedagogical language. Mid-term results suggest that participants are providing improved early learning environments and responding to learning opportunities in a more focused and informed way.     

Great expectations: Teacher learning in a national professional development programme

This paper reports findings from an evaluation of a national continuing professional development (CPD) programme for teachers in England. Data showed that the localised implementation, opportunities for interactive learning, and ‘collective participation’ were positive factors. Research participants reported difficulties, however, in ‘cascading’ knowledge to colleagues and in sustaining and developing their learning. It is argued that these limitations were rooted in an inconsistent theory of learning that underpinned the programme and a failure to conceptualise teachers as ‘lead learners’ in schools. Wider implications for the design of teachers’ professional development are considered.     

Reciprocal Learning in the Partnership Project: From Knowing to Doing in Comparative Research Models

ABSTRACT

The aim of this paper is to describe an international project aimed at building a knowledge base between Canada and China and beyond for cross-cultural educational understanding and harmonious relationships. The overall purpose of this work is to move beyond cross-cultural comparison and competition to collaborative reciprocity. Reciprocal learning is the guiding term for the Canada–China Partnership Project. The term is relatively commonplace and its deceptive simplicity veils important research and public discourse consequences. The Partnership Project, though not explicitly comparative in nature, draws heavily on the literature of comparative education, particularly with respect to methodology and understandings of Chinese and Canadian education. We describe four comparative education approaches which we think of as models of reciprocal learning across cultures. In the following remarks, we unpack these ideas of reciprocal learning as they apply to collaborative studies of Chinese and Canadian education. The models are assessed for their potential to generate collaborative teaching and learning situations with associated reciprocal learning.