Pupil and staff perceptions of bullying in secondary schools: comparing behavioural definitions and their perceived seriousness

Effects of a peer-led intervention campaign against school bullying, carried out by eight peer counsellors, were studied in an upper-level comprehensive school in southern Finland. The study was conducted in the seventh and eighth grades, the total number of participating classes being 12 and the total number of participants 196 (89 girls and 107 boys). The core of the intervention campaign was a one-week period during which a series of events and activities were organized at the school and in each individual class. In all parts of the campaign, the peer counsellors emphasized each individual's responsibility, as well as their potential to affect whether or not bullying occurs in their school or class. The results showed that the campaign was especially effective among girls. This was most clearly shown by decreases in both self- and peer-reported bullying, as well as an increase in 'power attitudes', i.e. attitude items reflecting the students' self-perceived potential and willingness to influence bullying problems in their class. Among boys, on the other hand, there was a slight decrease in self-reported bullying, not confirmed by peer reports and, unfortunately, there was an increase in pro-bullying attitudes, such as 'bullying might be fun sometimes'. Evaluating the campaign, girls also perceived it as more beneficial and more effective than boys did. Most students who reported being bullied before the intervention were satisfied with the campaign and thought it was helpful.     

“La Migra” in the Classroom: Transfronterizx Students Exploring Mobility in Transnational Higher Education on the US-Mexico Border

Based on an ethnographic study of a pre-engineering freshman course at a large university on the US-Mexico border, I explore how 4 Latinx undergraduate students, 2 of whom crossed the border on a daily basis to pursue higher education (HE), built a Lego robot that they named La Migra (a colloquial term for US Border Patrol). In particular, I demonstrate that the students drew from local authorized border crossing activities to design the robot to accelerate cross border mobility. In using the new mobilities paradigm (Sheller &; Urry, 2006 Sheller, M., &; Urry, J. (2006). The new mobilities paradigm. Environment and Planning A, 38(2), 207–226. doi:10.1068/a37268[Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]; Urry, 2007 Urry, J. (2007). Mobilities. Cambridge, UK: Polity Press. [Google Scholar]) and borderwork (Rumford, 2008 Rumford, C. (2008). Citizens and borderwork in Europe. Space and Polity, 12(1), 1–12. doi:10.1080/13562570801969333[Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]), I also show that the design of the La Migra robot, rather than a public good, was actually symbolic of the uneven distribution of mobility. In total, findings contribute a particularistic account of the understudied significance of physical border crossing to mobility in the context of transnational HE.     

Governing by inspection? European inspectorates and the creation of a European education policy space

This paper draws on the first, completed phase of a research project on inspection as governing in three European inspection systems. The data presented here draw attention to the rather under-researched associational activities of European inspectorates and their developing practices of policy learning and exchange, and highlight their significance as contributing to an emergent European Education Policy Space (EEPS). The paper is framed by original approaches to inspection that locate it as a set of governing practices, connected to changing governing forms and the growth of networks of relationships and flows of data across Europe. Comparisons are drawn between the relationships with Europe of inspectorates in Scotland, Sweden and England, drawing on Jacobsson's conceptualisation of regulative, inquisitive and meditative governance as a framing device.     

Exploring pupil participation within a sustainable school

This research aimed to explore the factors having an effect on enhanced active pupil participation in the context of the sustainable school. The research was applied during a school year to a primary school in Lavrion (Greece), with the participation of two teachers and pupils from two classes of the upper two grades. Action Research was the method selected to organise the research conducted in the framework of a school programme focusing on sustainable waste management. It involved activities both at school and within the local community. An analysis of research results showed that specific perceptions of both pupils and teachers, some of the features of the learning processes adopted, and the current school culture were the determining factors, either facilitating, or inhibiting active pupil participation. The action research enabled teachers not only to identify factors inhibiting active pupil participation, but also to intervene to manage them.     

Movement pattern and physiological response in recreational small-sided football – effect of number of players with a fixed pitch size

Recreational soccer is an effective health-promoting activity, but it is unclear how different game formats influence internal and external load. Thus, to be able to advise how to maximise the outcome of recreational football, we examined movement pattern and physiological response in 11 untrained men (32.6 ± 6.7 yrs, 23.3 ± 4.9 fat%, 43.4 ± 5.3 ml·min^?1·kg^?1) during three football sessions comprising 4 × 12 min of 3v3, 5v5 or 7v7 with a constant pitch size of 20 × 40 m. Movement pattern, heart rate (HR), blood lactate and RPE were measured during and after the 12-min periods. Greater (P < 0.05) total distance and high-speed distance was covered during 3v3 than 5v5 (14 and 30%) and 7v7 (15 and 75%). Mean HR was higher in 3v3 (85.7 ± 5.7%HRmax) and 5v5 (84.2 ± 5.1%HRmax) than in 7v7 (80.7 ± 4.6%HRmax, P < 0.05) and percentage time >90%HR was higher in 3v3 (43 ± 18%, P < 0.05) than in 5v5 (28 ± 21%) and 7v7 (18 ± 14%). Blood lactate was higher in 3v3 (7.4 ± 2.7 mmol·l^?1) than in 7v7 (4.5 ± 2.2 mmol·l^?1, P < 0.001) but not in 5v5 (6.1 ± 2.1 mmol·l^?1, P = 0.061). RPE was higher in 3v3 (6.7 ± 2.3, P < 0.01) than in 5v5 (5.2 ± 2.2) and 7v7 (4.3 ± 2.3). In conclusion, higher external and internal load was found with fewer players, when the pitch size is fixed.     

Constructivist Learning and Teaching of Optics Concepts Using ICT Tools in Greek Primary School: A Pilot Study

This pilot study documents the design and evaluation results of an innovative teaching approach with the use of ICT regarding the optics concepts of light reflection and diffusion, and vision in Greek primary school. First there was a survey of 140 students to ascertain their initial ideas regarding these concepts. On the basis of the results of that survey, a range of ICT tools were developed, including a multimedia software application and a piece of Greek physics educational software. They were then used in the classroom together with an applet on the Web and printed students’ worksheets, and their effectiveness was evaluated. Teaching was implemented in four Greek primary school classes with 81 students. Another 59 students were taught the subject traditionally. Before and after instruction all students answered a written questionnaire. Data analysis revealed that students of the experimental group achieved statistically better performance and manifested conceptual change whereas students in the control group students presented only a minimal evolution in their initial ideas.     

Factors affecting school choice: What do Malaysian Chinese parents want?

Aiming to explore factors affecting Malaysian Chinese parents in sending their children to either national secondary schools or Chinese independent schools, 494 parents were surveyed using a questionnaire. Results showed that parents who sent their children to Chinese independent schools have different priorities compared to those who sent theirs to national secondary schools—the former are concerned with teachers’ quality, chances of learning the Chinese culture and Mandarin while the latter are concerned with tuition fees and strategic location. In general, the finding that Malaysian Chinese parents take cultural and language factors into account when choosing a suitable school for their children is interesting because both are seldom listed as important.     

A novel μ-fluidic whole blood coagulation assay based on Rayleigh surface-acoustic waves as a point-of-care method to detect anticoagulants

A universal coagulation test that reliably detects prolonged coagulation time in patients, irrespective of the anticoagulant administered, has not been available to date. An easily miniaturised, novel μ-fluidic universal coagulation test employing surface acoustic waves (SAW) is presented here. SAW was employed to instantly mix and recalcify 6 μl citrated whole blood and image correlation analysis was used to quantify clot formation kinetics. The detection of clinically relevant anticoagulant dosing with old anticoagulants (unfractionated heparin, argatroban) and new anticoagulants (dabigatran, rivaroxaban) has been tested and compared to standard plasma coagulation assays. The applicability of this novel method has been confirmed in a small patient population. Coagulation was dose-proportionally prolonged with heparin, argatroban, dabigatran, and rivaroxaban, comparable to standard tests. Aspirin and clopidogrel did not interfere with the SAW-induced clotting time (SAW-CT), whereas the strong GPIIb/IIIa-inhibitor abciximab did interfere. Preliminary clinical data prove the suitability of the SAW-CT in patients being treated with warfarin, rivaroxaban, or dabigatran. The system principally allows assessment of whole blood coagulation in humans in a point-of-care setting. This method could be used in stroke units, emergency vehicles, general and intensive care wards, as well as for laboratory and home testing of coagulation.