COSMOPOLITANISM IN RELATION TO THE SELF AND THE OTHER: FROM MICHEL FOUCAULT TO STANLEY CAVELL

Educators, not to mention philosophers of education, find themselves in a difficult position nowadays. They are confronted with problems such as which kind of values one would want citizens to embrace, or to what extent social practices of a particular group may differ from what is generally held. In this essay, Paul Smeyers and Yusef Waghid focus on postmodern critiques, in particular on the position of Michel Foucault as it is relevant for the debate on cosmopolitanism. The authors argue that Foucault's analysis of the self in relation to the other is somewhat contentious, as it seems to invoke an independent ethical self other than a social self. Smeyers and Waghid claim that a more nuanced position regarding this relation can be found in the work of Stanley Cavell. They conclude that encounters with the other should not be seen as a new kind of universalism or Foucauldian subjectivism, but rather as an opening that creates opportunities both for attachment and detachments, that is, for acknowledgment and avoidance.     

The role of peer review in identity development for engineering education researchers

ABSTRACT

Peer review has been the focus of an ongoing study at a series of recent annual conferences of the Australasian Association for Engineering Education (AAEE). A further development of this study has been to explore the perspective/s of the authors of these conference papers and the impact that peer review can have on their development as researchers. This paper uses the identity-trajectory framework to illustrate relationships between peer review and academic identity construction for engineering education authors in the AAEE community. Participants’ responses illustrate how various aspects of responding to reviews and writing reviews for other authors, contribute to the development of the networking and intellectual strands of their academic identity as engineering education researchers. We suggest that members of the global engineering education community should be mindful of how they write their peer reviews of conference papers to ensure the opportunity to constructively contribute to their peers’ successful transition into this different research paradigm is not missed.     

Status,rationale and development of counseling in the Arab countries: views of participants in a counseling conference

Counseling has been slowly developing in the Arab countries. In 1984, Kuwait University organized a Conference on Psychological and Educational Counseling. Twenty-four professionals presented papers at this conference. A questionnaire which dealt with the status, rationale and development of counseling in the Arab countries was administered to these professionals. All the participants completed and returned the questionnaire. The majority of the participants reported that counseling services are offered in their institution and countries. They also reported that counselor education programs do not exist in their countries. They perceived that development (economic, social, and personal) is the number one rationale for counseling in the Arab countries. The implications of these views for the development of counseling in the Arab countries were discussed.Kuwait University     

Internationalisation and the validity of knowledge in religious education as a field of research

ABSTRACT

Building on the notion of validity claims within the discussion on international knowledge transfer in religious education as a field of research, three views on the contextuality of knowledge are discussed. From a classical perspective in the sociology of science, the issue of validity must be treated irrespective of matters of context. Secondly, from the perspective of postcolonial studies, this naïve view is criticised as a veiled form of Eurocentrism. Thirdly, these two general views are concretised in light of a reception process bridging the Global South and the Global North. To this end, exemplary factors contributing to the inclusion of Paulo Freire’s pedagogical work in discourses on religious education are analysed. What emerges through these analyses is a differentiated view of validity resting on the de- and recontextualisation of knowledge that allows for it to oscillate between different contexts.     

NATHAN AND DAVID IN II SAMUEL 12:1–13: AN ALTERNATIVE TEXT WITH COMMENTARY AND IMPLICATIONS FOR TEACHING

I am honored to give the opening address on the conference theme which deals with 100 years of Jewish education in North America. The topic of this session, “From Sunday School to Day School,” suggests that Jewish education has moved from a one-day-a-week enterprise to a full-time system of education. While there has been significant movement in this direction during the last half of the past 100-year period, this trend has to be placed in proper historical, religious, cultural and social perspective.     

A social perspective on teaching and learning in the context of computer-mediated communication in teacher education

Abstract

In a context where ever greater emphasis is placed on the need to exploit the potential of information and communications technology, this article argues the need for a theoretical underpinning to such developments. In higher education, the emphasis is often placed on the assumed improved cost-effectiveness associated with ‘flexible’ and ‘independent’ student learning as one of the major benefits, although such notions as flexible and independent learning tend to be taken for granted. It is argued further that even where benefits to learning are emphasised, these are often founded on relatively impoverished views of learning. Often such views fit with a technocentric and positivist perspective on learning, emphasising as they do individualism, information delivery and a limited role for the tutor. This article outlines an alternative theoretical perspective based upon Vygotskian social psychology, activity theory and social practice. Such a perspective is characterised by an emphasis on interaction, communication and collaboration. Learning itself is seen as an aspect of participation in communities of practice, in which the human relationships between teachers and students are seen as fundamental. The theory is exemplified with reference to the use of computer-mediated communication in teacher education using FirstClass computer conferencing software.     

Between thick and thin: responding to the crisis of moral education

This article presents a moral orientation that can serve as a commonly shared foundation for developing moral consciousness in (postmodern) multicultural democratic societies. To this end, I distinguish between two prevailing generic views of moral education—‘thin’ and ‘thick’—and claim that the tensions between them contribute to the sense of crisis of moral education (and public schooling in general). I begin by showing these tensions through a discussion of representatives of each side of the thin–thick dichotomy, as well as through Lickona’s integrative account. After discussing the complications of each view, I present PARTS—Postconventional Authentic Relation-to-Self—as a normative perspective that is able to reconcile the two generic views. I show the merits of PARTS by discussing the notions of moral judgement and motivation.     

如何构建有效的学习环境--欧洲第十一届学习与教学研究大会综述

2005年8月23~27日,欧洲第十一届关于学习与教学研究的大会在塞浦路斯首都尼科西亚举行.这次大会探讨了当前教育研究中的两个方面:一方面是我们需要通过多种教学途径来加强学生的知识学习过程;另一方面,当前的教育研究要充分认识到有效教学情境的创设在学习与教学中的重要作用.一些教育专家从社会情感,学习与认知理论,教育评价等几个方面对有效学习环境的构建做了专题报告.作为教育研究的一个重要领域的数学教育在此次大会上是一个很重要的专题,数学教育专家的一些观点和研究成果对于我国的数学课程与教学改革具有深刻的启示.     

Karma and human rights: Bhutanese teachers’ perspectives on inclusion and disability

The Sustainable Development Goals call on countries to ensure that all children, especially the most vulnerable, are included in education. The small kingdom of Bhutan has made attempts to embrace inclusion in education at the policy level. However, research on inclusion and disability in this context is limited, and there are few studies focusing on the perspectives of Bhutanese teachers. The study presented here was led by the question ‘how are Inclusion and Disability understood by teachers in Bhutan?’ The research aims were to (a) explore the above concepts from the perspective of participants and (b) construct these concepts in a way that is contextually relevant to Bhutan. Data collection comprised qualitative interviews with 15 Bhutanese teachers. Findings revealed that participants saw disability predominantly from a ‘medical model’ perspective, but at the same time held conflicting views as to what inclusion means. They moreover mentioned lack of teacher training as an obstacle to the implementation of inclusion in Bhutan, and some believed that the country is not yet ready for inclusion. We argue that our findings call for Bhutan to strengthen the preparation of its teachers for inclusive education in order to narrow the current gap between policy and practice.     

试析高校内部教育质量观

高校内部教育质量观对高校自我发展、自我约束具有非常重要的意义。文章在梳理国内七种不同教育质量观的基础上,从高校内部的视角出发,提出了高校内部教育质量观概念,并系统分析了高校内部教育质量观的特点和价值。认为由高校自身对教育质量的关心所形成的质量观,而不是由外部评估引发的诱因、惩罚等因素支配而进行质量保障的质量观,相对于外部质量观而言,它能更加持久地对高校质量保障进行指引。     

Individual and Sociocultural Views of Learning in Science Education

In this paper we consider how theories of learning can inform the practice of scienceteaching in formal settings. We describe two broad strands of learning theory that havebeen drawn upon in science education, namely individual and sociocultural views. Weshow how aspects of both views can usefully inform our understanding of teaching andlearning science in formal settings. A perspective on science learning in formal settingsis presented which draws on and develops features of both individual and socioculturalviews, and the implications of this perspective on science learning for research and practice are discussed. The paper concludes with reflections on some of the recent critiques of so-called `constructivist views of learning' in the light of the perspective developed.     

Telematics for Teacher Education: issues from a European conference

ABSTRACT

The world Information Superhighway is under discussion in many countries. Within Europe the discussion is also very active as is the promotion of the use of telematics for trans‐European communication and co‐operation in various areas. For education and training, representatives of European teacher trainers, teachers, students, parents, policy and decision makers discussed their needs and views on a trans‐European network at a conference held in May 1994 in Luxembourg. This paper presents a selection of various issues raised at the conference regarding the use of telematics for teacher education and illustrates the discussion and the method of discussion. It also describes and discusses the conference programme model, as it offered innovative on‐line activities to facilitate appreciation of telematics. The case is argued that teacher education can benefit greatly from telematics and some points are put forward for further discussion.     

Seeking Diversity in Mathematics Education: Mathematical Modeling in the Practice of Biologists and Mathematicians

Although reform efforts in mathematics education have called for more diverse views of mathematics, there have been few studies of how mathematics is used and takes form in practices outside of mathematics itself. Thus legitimate diverse models have largely been missing in education. This study attempts to broaden our understanding of mathematics by investigating how applied mathematicians and biologists, working together to construct dynamic population models, understand these models within the framework of their perspective practices, that is how these models take on a role as 'boundary objects' between the two practices. By coming to understand how these models function within the practice of biology, the paper suggests that mathematics educators have the opportunity both to reevaluate their own assumptions about modeling and to build an understanding of the dialectic process necessary for these models to develop an epistemological basis that is shared across practices. Investigating this dialectic process is both important and missing in most mathematical classrooms.1     

Teachers' Conceptions of Education: A Practical Knowledge Perspective on 'Good' Teaching

Research on teachers' practical knowledge is considered to be an alternative to several other research approaches to teaching which study teaching from a limited point of view and from an outsider's perspective, often with the aim of exerting control over teachers. It is argued that research on teachers' practical knowledge takes into account in a better way what really matters in teaching because it emphasizes the knowledge and beliefs of teachers themselves about teaching. In this study, the issue of 'good' teaching is highlighted from a perspective on teaching based on teachers' practical knowledge. The conceptions of education of eight experienced teachers were investigated with a multi-methodical approach. Teachers' conceptions of education consist of their views on the objectives of education, the contents of the curriculum, and the role of the teacher and the students in the teaching and learning process. Several contextual factors and teachers' interpretations of these factors seem to exert influence on teachers' conceptions of education, such as the schools in which they work, the characteristics of the students and subjects they teach, and general developments in society. It is concluded that it is difficult to give a precise definition of good teaching from a practical knowledge perspective because of the personal and context-embeddedness of teachers' practical knowledge. However, the results indicate that research on teachers' practical knowledge adds new information to the discussion of good teaching when compared with the results of more traditional research approaches to teaching.     

Action research and transformative learning in teaching development

The article reports on an action research project, informed by transformative learning theory. Transformative learning involves individuals gaining an awareness of their current habits of mind, and resulting points of views accompanied by a critique of their assumptions and premises, an assessment of alternative views, a decision to negate an old perspective or view in favour of a new one, or to make a synthesis of old and new, resulting in more justified beliefs to guide action. The action research was designed to change the perspectives and practices of higher education teachers from a teacher-centred to a learning-centred dialogic approach. The research demonstrated that a transformation in teaching perspective could be achieved through action research that involved inquiring and interactive teaching. However, implementing the new perspective required additional sustained support. The research also confirmed that action research is a viable means of exploring transformative learning in educational settings.     

Investigating the secondary–tertiary transition

The secondary–tertiary transition has been studied in a great amount of research in mathematics education, adopting different focuses and theoretical approaches. I present here how these focuses led the authors to identify and study different students’ difficulties and to develop different means of didactical action. Individual, social, but also institutional phenomena are considered with different perspectives. Each perspective yields a particular view of transition. The association and comparison of these views makes it possible to build an organized outline of this complex object, combining several kinds of ruptures and long-term evolutions.     

美国双语教育的历史演变与政策反思

美国双语教育近年来引起了我国学者的关注,但是少有学者对此掌握第一手的资料,因而缺乏系统的观点.本文根据笔者对美国双语教育项目的亲身参与,①系统阐述了美国双语教育的历史与现状,并对双语政策的演变进行了反思.笔者认为虽然移民潮、国际环境变化、国内政局交替等因素直接推动了双语教育政策的演变,但是这些外在条件只是起到了催化剂的作用,双语教育争辩的真正根源在于不同的语言取向和语言意识形态.     

What has happened to intuition in science education?

Intuition was one of the four key themes for science education that emerged from the Woods Hole Conference in 1957. Despite the considerable influence of this conference on a generation of curriculum projects the intuition theme was almost completely ignored. Recent studies of intuition, including an analysis of Nobel laureates' views of scientific intuition, are considered. This enables several conceptions of the nature and role of intuition in science to be defined, and its importance to be assessed. The assumption that it is also important in science education is examined by considering conditions in science teaching and learning that may encourage intuitive thinking in the light of current research developments that could lead to a new agenda for school science. Specializations: science and technology curriculum, environmental education, educational disadvantage. Specializations: phenomenography, ways of knowing, higher education—teaching and learning.     

教育的本真：自由的生成与精神的唤醒——雅斯贝尔斯《什么是教育》解读

雅斯贝尔斯的名著《什么是教育》从"生存、自由、超越"的存在主义哲学基础出发,详尽、深入地论述了他对教育的独特理解,指出教育是人的灵魂的教育,教育即生成,教育的使命在于成为"全人":自由的生成与精神的唤醒.因此,教育不仅需要进行文化教育,还需要强调师生间的平等尊重,倡导苏格拉底式教育方式,教师是学生自我教育的引导者.雅斯贝尔斯的观点对我国当前教育改革具有重要的借鉴意义.     

台湾私立大学招生效率之衡量

一、绪论台湾高等教育的学生人数由1960年的3．5万人增长至2008年的133万人,增长了约38倍,不仅带动国民整体知识水平的大幅增长,相对也开启了台湾产业发展的前景。高等教育快速成长的原因有二：台湾“政府”对高等教育人才需求的迫切,一般民众对高学历有着相当殷切的期待。