They came with a purpose: educational journeys of nineteenth-century Irish Dominican Sister Teachers

Irish Catholic teaching sisters were major actors in the development of education systems in New World countries such as the United States, Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Immigrants themselves, they faced a number of key challenges as they sought to adapt Old World cultural and educational ideas to the education of the immigrant Irish in a new cultural, religious and educational context. A close examination of the wide range of sources available in private archives and elsewhere offers unique insights into the challenges facing 10 Irish Dominican Sister Teachers as they journeyed from Ireland to Dunedin to found primary and secondary schools in the young colony of New Zealand. This article examines their responses to their early experiences and the part they played in the development of a viable Catholic education system in nineteenth-century New Zealand.     

Anatomy education faces challenges in Pakistan

Anatomy education in Pakistan is facing many of the same challenges as in other parts of the world. Roughly, a decade ago, all medical and dental colleges in Pakistan emphasized anatomy as a core basic discipline within a traditional medical science curriculum. Now institutions are adopting problem based learning (PBL) teaching philosophies, and since medical colleges in Pakistan first introduced PBL curricula that expose the basic sciences primarily in clinical contexts, the methods and extent of anatomy teaching have been topics of much debate. Many claim that PBL curricula dilute basic science education, especially anatomy. At the same time, classically trained faculty members with PhD in anatomy have become nearly extinct in Pakistan, with only four working in country. A third challenge currently facing anatomy education in Pakistan, as in many parts of the world, is an unavailability of cadavers for dissection. As more institutions adopt PBL curricula, as PhD anatomists are harder to find, and as cadavers for dissection become scarce, Pakistan and other countries around the world will have to seriously consider how they will sustain adequate anatomy education. Anat Sci Educ 2:193–194, 2009. © 2009 American Association of Anatomists.     

Challenges of Chinese and European Universities in the Modernization and Global Context

Higher education systems need to increasingly transform in order to face new challenges of society in a modern and global context. Both Europe and China are facing challenges in restructuring their higher education systems and embracing the potential for higher education to deliver innovative teaching and learning as well as social and economic services for a changing society. This paper analyses the challenges to European and Chinese universities today and elaborates on the implications of these challenges for EU-China higher education collaboration. An analysis of challenges and relevant strategies in these two contexts can offer us insights into the strengths and weaknesses of each system. This can act as a solid basis for future collaborations or as potential barriers. Thus, this paper endeavors to fill in the gap regarding EU-China higher education cooperation by reducing the knowledge deficit and bringing mutual understanding, respect, trust, and ultimately benefit to both sides.     

Are private universities the solution to the higher education crisis in sub-Saharan Africa?

Although comparatively young, state universities in sub-Saharan Africa have accomplished alot. They have almost replaced expatriate faculty with indigenous staff and help foster intellectual communities. Some have developed relevant curricula and have produced the skilled human resources required to staff and manage public and private institutes. However, universities in the sub-region face formidable problems, viz: increased enrollments; fiscal challenges; quality issues and rising graduate unemployment. To help solve some of these problems, private universities are increasingly been seen as alternative routes to higher education achievement. Based on empirical data, this paper examines some of the challenges/opportunities that private universities face in sub-Saharan Africa.     

扬起教育科研的风帆

教育科研是教育强国的重要标志。在现代教育创新发展的今天,在教师职业面临挑战的今天,我们应更加重视教育科研的作用,关注教育科研的发展,以此来为教学质量的提高服务,为教师的专业发展服务,为培养高素质的人才服务。     

Strength,Weakness, Opportunity,Threat (SWOT) Analysis of the Adaptations to Anatomical Education in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland in Response to the Covid-19 Pandemic

The Covid-19 pandemic has driven the fastest changes to higher education across the globe, necessitated by social distancing measures preventing face-to-face teaching. This has led to an almost immediate switch to distance learning by higher education institutions. Anatomy faces some unique challenges. Intrinsically, anatomy is a three-dimensional subject that requires a sound understanding of the relationships between structures, often achieved by the study of human cadaveric material, models, and virtual resources. This study sought to identify the approaches taken in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland to deliver anatomical education through online means. Data were collected from 14 different universities in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland and compared adopting a thematic analysis approach. Once themes were generated, they were collectively brought together using a strength, weakness, opportunity, threat (SWOT) analysis. Key themes included the opportunity to develop new online resources and the chance to engage in new academic collaborations. Academics frequently mentioned the challenge that time constrains could place on the quality and effectiveness of these resources; especially as in many cases the aim of these resources was to compensate for a lack of exposure to cadaveric exposure. Comparisons of the actions taken by multiple higher education institutions reveal the ways that academics have tried to balance this demand. Discussions will facilitate decisions being made by higher education institutions regarding adapting the curriculum and assessment methods in anatomy.     

我国高等理科教育发展现状:成就与挑战——高等理科教育改革调研专家调查分析

在高等教育扩招的背景下,我国高等理科本科教育发展面临新的挑战。为了全面准确了解现状,推进教育改革发展,"高等理科教育改革调研组"对我国高等理科专家进行了网络问卷调查案例访谈。调查发现:高等理科本科质量仍面临严峻的挑战;高等理科教育要以"激发学习兴趣,培养自主学习能力"为核心目标,建设有利于学生自主发展的条件和环境;建构整体性的学习支持体系;开创革新性的学习工具,让学生能够高效学习海量知识;相关研究要总结并标识理科人才培养模式普遍性的关键特征;加大教学资源投入的制度保障;改革教师教学激励机制,提升教师的教学研究动力和教学能力;加强专业教师的发展和培训。     

教师继续教育管理功能与运作

在知识经济飞速发展的今天,高等教育正面临着前所未有的机遇和挑战,如何实施教师继续教育、提高教师质量已引起各界的极大关注。本将从人力资源角度出发,阐述教师继续教育管理的硬功能和软功能,并对教师继续教育管理的运作提出一些系统和创新的观点。     

也谈《文书学》教学改革

随着国家公文新条例的颁布,特别是电子文件对传统纸质文件工作的冲击,《文书学》课程面临前所未有的机遇和挑战。近10多年来,理论和实践方面的教科研工作者对《文书学》教改的某些方面提出了不少有价值的构思、设想及实证,但仍不完善、仍不充分。基于研究现状,本文从教学体系、教学方法及教材三个维度较详细地阐述了《文书学》教改的基本方面,俾能为《文书学》教学改革的理论研究与实践有所助益。     

Design,implementation and evaluation of school-based sexual health education in sub-Saharan Africa: a qualitative study of researchers’ perspectives

This study investigated facilitators and challenges to designing, implementing and evaluating school-based sexual health education in sub-Saharan Africa, using interviews with intervention designers and researchers. At the pre-planning and planning stages, participants reported that facilitating factors included addressing the reproductive health needs of participants, contextual (culture, religion, economic and social) considerations and the adoption of holistic approach to sexuality education. Lack of open communication about sexual health matters between young people and adults; concerns that sexual health education could encourage sexual activity; and inadequate funding, were key barriers. Implementation was facilitated by the involvement of relevant stakeholders, the training of facilitators and adopting strategies to overcome resistance to sexual health education. The provision of structured, detailed lessons plans and monitoring with supportive supervision optimised fidelity of delivery. Barriers to implementation included facilitators’ resistance to teaching safe sex promotion and logistical challenges in school environments. Participants also reported that the validity of self-reported adolescent sexual behaviour (as part of evaluation) may be improved by complementing well-designed self-report surveys with computerised audio devices for data collection, qualitative interviews and participant observation. Study findings generate recommendations to improve future forms of school-based sexual health education in sub-Saharan Africa.     

The anatomy of anatomy: A review for its modernization

Anatomy has historically been a cornerstone in medical education regardless of nation or specialty. Until recently, dissection and didactic lectures were its sole pedagogy. Teaching methodology has been revolutionized with more reliance on models, imaging, simulation, and the Internet to further consolidate and enhance the learning experience. Moreover, modern medical curricula are giving less importance to anatomy education and to the acknowledged value of dissection. Universities have even abandoned dissection completely in favor of user‐friendly multimedia, alternative teaching approaches, and newly defined priorities in clinical practice. Anatomy curriculum is undergoing international reformation but the current framework lacks uniformity among institutions. Optimal learning content can be categorized into the following modalities: (1) dissection/prosection, (2) interactive multimedia, (3) procedural anatomy, (4) surface and clinical anatomy, and (5) imaging. The importance of multimodal teaching, with examples suggested in this article, has been widely recognized and assessed. Nevertheless, there are still ongoing limitations in anatomy teaching. Substantial problems consist of diminished allotted dissection time and the number of qualified anatomy instructors, which will eventually deteriorate the quality of education. Alternative resources and strategies are discussed in an attempt to tackle these genuine concerns. The challenges are to reinstate more effective teaching and learning tools while maintaining the beneficial values of orthodox dissection. The UK has a reputable medical education but its quality could be improved by observing international frameworks. The heavy penalty of not concentrating on sufficient anatomy education will inevitably lead to incompetent anatomists and healthcare professionals, leaving patients to face dire repercussions. Anat Sci Educ 3: 83–93, 2010. © 2010 American Association of Anatomists.     

Understanding neurophobia: Reasons behind impaired understanding and learning of neuroanatomy in cross‐disciplinary healthcare students

Recent studies have highlighted a fear or difficulty with the study and understanding of neuroanatomy among medical and healthcare students. This has been linked with a diminished confidence of clinical practitioners and students to manage patients with neurological conditions. The underlying reasons for this difficulty have been queried among a broad cohort of medical, dental, occupational therapy, and speech and language sciences students. Direct evidence of the students’ perception regarding specific difficulties associated with learning neuroanatomy has been provided and some of the measures required to address these issues have been identified. Neuroanatomy is perceived as a more difficult subject compared to other anatomy topics (e.g., reproductive/pelvic anatomy) and not all components of the neuroanatomy curriculum are viewed as equally challenging. The difficulty in understanding neuroanatomical concepts is linked to intrinsic factors such as the inherent complex nature of the topic rather than outside influences (e.g., lecture duration). Participants reporting high levels of interest in the subject reported higher levels of knowledge, suggesting that teaching tools aimed at increasing interest, such as case‐based scenarios, could facilitate acquisition of knowledge. Newer pedagogies, including web‐resources and computer assisted learning (CAL) are considered important tools to improve neuroanatomy learning, whereas traditional tools such as lecture slides and notes were considered less important. In conclusion, it is suggested that understanding of neuroanatomy could be enhanced and neurophobia be decreased by purposefully designed CAL resources. This data could help curricular designers to refocus attention and guide educators to develop improved neuroanatomy web‐resources in future. Anat Sci Educ 11: 81–93. © 2017 American Association of Anatomists.     

创新创业教育中的体验式教学模式研究

创新创业教育是我国建设创新型国家一系列战略举措的重要组成部分,当前已经形成了广泛社会共识,然而高校对创新创业教育模式的创新不足,传统的“灌输式”教学仍然占据主导,大班授课和理论教学为主的模式无法满足新形势下社会对创新创业人才的需求。针对这一现状,围绕岗位体验式教学在创新创业教育中的应用这一问题开展研究,借鉴体验式教学的教育理念、实践范式,探讨了以创新创业岗位人才需求为目标的岗位体验式创新创业教育模式与实施路径,通过学生在不同的创业岗位中进行双向的互动感知、体验与领悟,实现创业教育的个性化。     

浅谈素质教育下高校课堂教学中的学生评价

课堂教学评价是对课堂教学效果的评价，以及对构成课堂教学过程各要素作用的分析和评价。我国现阶段高校课堂教学评价存在许多弊端，与素质教育、创新教育不相适应，需要改革，在课堂教学评价改革中应渗透学生主体、创新素质、学生发展等素质教育的要求。     

浅析面临挑战与机遇的美国研究型大学本科教育

存在于美国研究型大学中由来已久的教学与科研的紧张关系直接导致本科教育的削弱和水平下降。文章分别从本科教育的五项内容－－课程、学生、教学、校园文化和师资所存在的问题与应该达到要求出发，探寻了研究型大学本科教育的定位及优势；并指出了今后研究型大学本科教育的发展趋势；利用优势重构系统，树立以学生为中心的观念，走与工业企业结构、提高学生创造能力的途径。     

Anatomy education beyond the Covid-19 pandemic: A changing pedagogy

The coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic has induced multifaceted changes in anatomical education. There has been a significant increase in the employment of digital technologies coupled with the upskilling of educators' capacity and altered attitudes toward the digitalization process. While challenges remain, learners have demonstrated capabilities to adapt to digital delivery, engagement and assessment. With alternative and innovative teaching and learning strategies having been trialed and implemented for almost two years, the key question now is what the pedagogy will be for anatomy education beyond the pandemic. Here we discuss some of the changes in anatomy education that have taken place as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and importantly present some outlooks for evidence-based anatomy pedagogy as the world enters the post-pandemic phase and beyond. The authors conclude that the anatomy discipline is ready to further modernize and has the opportunity to use digital technologies to evolve and enhance anatomy education to ensure students are provided with the learning experience which will prepare them best for the future.     

应用型本科建设环境下黄山学院大学生创业教育研究

伴随着高等教育大众化的发展,大学生就业形势日趋严峻,创新创业教育作为一种新的教学理念与模式应运而生。以黄山学院为例分析应用型本科建设环境下的大学生创业教育,并结合黄山文化优势、资源优势和黄山学院专业优势构建大学生创业教育的"黄山模式",形成富于特色的创业教育格局,以全面推进地方性应用型本科建设。     

大学生党员继续教育培训的创新研究

新形势使高校大学生党员教育培训工作面临着新的挑战和机遇,明确对大学生党员继续教育培训的重要性和目标,从工作思路、内容方式、阵地资源、组织机制四个方面创新大学生党员的继续教育培训工作具有重要的现实意义。     

社区老年教育发展的困境与出路

当前,在老年教育发展中,尤其是基层社区老年教育的开展与深入,面临着不少的问题。探其缘由,主要有思想观念陈旧、缺乏统一管理及服务人员自身执业能力限制等因素。要发展社区老年教育,首先需要更新理念,全民重视老年教育;其次,亟需立法保障、政策支持和领导重视,同时要考虑到社区工作人员工作的基层性和特殊性,适当提高人员工作待遇和自身素养;再次,应当根据老年教育的多样性和差异性进行教学内容规划和改革,以构建一种整合优质资源、充分利用现有资源的发展模式。