The seeds of discontent: examining youth perceptions of higher education in Syria

This article examines young Syrians' perceptions of higher education after the 2001 reforms, which expanded access to higher education and permitted the establishment of private universities. Data come from in-depth interviews conducted with 22 Syrians residing in Damascus, aged 18–32 in 2009. Analysis indicates youth are critical of the higher education system broadly, and that their discontent stems from two sources: (1) the high level of state involvement in determining youth life paths when uncoupled from labour market security; and (2) the perceived unfairness in university admissions stemming from connections and new forms of privatisation. This youth discontent reflects a larger rejection of the state's role in the higher education admissions process. Given Syria's long-term commitment to a model of state-led development in the post-independence era, the failure of the Syrian state to successfully link expanded higher education to secure employment in the neo-liberal era has contributed to a de-legitimisation of the Syrian state as a whole in the eyes of its youth.     

Where is the discourse of desire? Deconstructing the Irish Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) resource materials

Inspired by poststructuralist insights and the critical literature on the topic of school-based sexuality education, this paper is derived from a close examination of the Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) resource materials devised for teachers involved in delivering the programme in Irish schools. It seeks critically to uncover how students are expected to come to know themselves socially and sexually. It is argued that the liberal individualist discourse, which is very pronounced in the RSE discursive framework, promotes a narrow kind of sexual subjectivity, which obscures sexual pleasure and desire. Some suggestions are made as to how a discursive space might be created in the classroom in the interests of facilitating students’ exploration into how they can be sexual, safe and ethical in their relations and activities.     

USING TEXT STRUCTURE TO IMPROVE OLDER ADULTS' RECALL OF IMPORTANT MEDICAL INFORMATION

This study makes use of the “levels effect” in prose recall to increase older adults' recall of important medical information. Seventy older adults (over 65) read and recalled two passages containing medical information about hypertension and arthritis. Half of the adults read the passages in which the text structure had been revised so that target ideas (identified as important by physician consultants) were located at the highest levels of the content structure. Recall of target ideas, details, and total number of ideas were investigated. Results showed an increase in recall of target ideas for the revised passages. Education, medical condition, and age also affected recall to differing degrees depending on the measure studied. The results indicate that older adults remain sensitive to differences in prose structure and that their memory for important information can be improved by use of principles developed with younger subject groups.     

Exploring ways that ePortfolios can support the progressive development of graduate qualities and professional competencies

Since the late-1990s, the University of South Australia has embedded seven Graduate Qualities across all programs. Subsequently, the higher education landscape has changed dramatically in terms of national policies and standards, as well as technologies available to support learning and teaching. Most higher education institutions now have their own list of qualities or attributes developed by graduates. Further changes in Australia include quality assurance accredited through a national body, such as the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency, and the development of disciplinary Threshold Learning Outcomes under the Learning and Teaching Academic Standards project. Similar changes are underway internationally. A multi-disciplinary research project at University of South Australia explored how ePortfolios might enhance this learning environment with a focus on aligning standards, Graduate Qualities and professional requirements. This paper outlines approaches taken in Engineering and Law undergraduate programs using two different ePortfolio tools (PebblePad and Mahara), where we sought to discover if this would empower learners to articulate their achievements and to understand professional frameworks. Lessons learnt and evaluation data are presented, along with recommendations to support a progressive developmental approach across programs. Whilst the experiences relate to two disciplinary areas, the approach taken can be adapted for other programs. Many of the insights gained also apply to strategies that exclude ePortfolio tools.     

Contextually Based Professional Development

In this article, the authors detail a study of a three-year professional development project designed to increase in-service teachers’ classroom technology integration. Participants engaged in learning activities that modeled technology integration from a contextually based perspective that included technology, and pedagogical and content knowledge. Although participants reported having very limited technology skills before professional development began, after two years they reported a significant increase in using technology skills. In addition, participants reported increased comfort and confidence in using technology to the level where they changed their teaching practice to integrate technology. Indeed, between years two and three, participants reported a significant increase in technology use for learning by their students.     

AMERICA ON THE MOVE

Representatives from six disciplines presented their points of view in a panel under the chairmanship of Buel G. Gallagher, President of the College of the City of New York. Their statements have been condensed and are given under the names of the panel members.     

Narrative Inquiry: A Spiritual and Liberating Approach to Research

This article identifies various research characteristics of narrative inquiry including its holistic and creative approach and its emphases on experience, relationships and participation, subjectivity and consciousness-raising, commitment and resistance, ethical action, and claiming voice and power. The author suggests that these characteristics point to ways in which narrative inquiry is a spiritual and liberating research methodology that may offer a research practice aligned with the values of researchers in the field of Religion and Education.