Match or Mismatch: The perceptions of parents of nursery age children related to those of the children's main nursery workers

The purpose of this study was to explore the extent to which shared aims, values and understanding exist both between parents and professionals and among professionals. Of particular concern was the impact that any differences in perspective might have on a given child. For each of seven case study children, one parent and two key nursery workers were interviewed and asked to complete rating scales. Thus, there were seven parent and 14 nursery practitioner interviews carried out. Interviews were analysed on a thematic basis with a particular focus on attributional analysis. It was found that, where there were differences between parents and practitioners in the attributions that they made for children's behaviour and learning that these had a significant influence on how children were understood and, in some cases, could lead to nursery practitioners underestimating or 'blaming' children and their families for perceived deficiencies. Cette étude avait pour objectif d'explorer s'iI existe des objectifs, des valeurs et des visions communes entre les parents et les professionnels et parmi les professionnels. On a examiné tout particulièrement l'impact potentiel de toute différence de perspective sur un enfant donné Pour chacun des 7 enfants ayant fait l'objet d'études de cas, un parent et deux enseignants-clés ont été interrogés et ont eu à remplir des questionnaires avec échelle d'évaluation. Il y a donc eu 7 entretiens avec des parents et 14 avec des enseignants de maternelle. Les entretiens ont été analysés sur une base thématique, en mettant un accent particulier sur 1'analyse des attributions. Il en est ressorti que lorsqu'il existait des différences entre les parents et les professionnels dans leurs attributions du comportement et 1'apprentissage des enfants, ces différences avaient une influence considérable sur la manière dont les enfants étaient compris et que, dans certains cas, elles pouvaient entraîner les professionnels à sous-estimer ou e blâmer f les enfants et leur famille pour des lacunes perçues.     

Health education for Somali Bantu refugees via home visits

Background: Somali Bantu refugees, with unique health information needs, created challenges for health and social service providers. Objectives: A service innovation was developed (i) to raise awareness, especially among local health and social service providers, about the Bantu refugees’ presence in the community, their culture, and their information needs and (ii) to deliver needed health information, emphasizing child health, to the Bantu mothers in their homes. Methods: The project consisted of: (i) a community conference targeting local health and social service providers, describing the refugees’ presence in the community, their culture, and information needs. (ii) Focus groups conducted with members of the Bantu population elicited additional information needs. (iii) Curriculum was developed based on identified needs, and (iv) the curriculum was delivered to the refugees in their homes. A clinical informationist and MP3 technology enhanced the project. Findings: Conference attendees’ evaluation responses indicated improved understanding of Bantu culture. Focus groups’ identification of health information needs provided a framework for the health education curriculum. A project website made educational materials available to other healthcare providers. Conclusions: The project raised awareness of the Bantus’ presence, culture, and information needs. Identification of other unmet needs demonstrated that additional support for refugees is required.     

Who's In Charge Of Quality? The Governance Issues In Quality Assurance

Tertiary Education and Management - This essay, exploring the general question of how quality assurance has changed the relationship between government and higher education, discusses two important...     

变革与绩效:高等教育的质量保障

随着高等教育规模和数量的扩大，世界各国都越来越关注高等教育的绩效和质量保障，采用各种方法来进行质量控制。文章介绍各国的经验和做法，指出由于高等教育的复杂性，不可能只有一个质量保障的方法，而由于每种方法都有其缺陷，评价绩效和质量保障必须采用多种方法。