Pedagogical and political encounters in linguistically and culturally diverse primary classrooms: examples from Quebec,Canada, and Gauteng,South Africa

Comparative research in multilingual urban primary schools indicates that the pedagogical and political goals of schooling may operate at cross-purposes. Classroom observations and teacher interview-discussions were conducted in classes for immigrant children in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, where the language of instruction is French, and in classes in Pretoria, Gauteng Province, South Africa, where children from many different language backgrounds are taught in English. Two main themes emerged: (1) pedagogically, effective teacher–learner communication can break down when teachers are unaware of the roles that language and culture play in second language classrooms; (2) politically, efforts to assimilate learners into new socio-cultural/political contexts sometimes take precedence over sound pedagogical practice, such as drawing on the linguistic and cultural repertoire that learners bring to the classroom. This ongoing qualitative research underlines the importance of preparing pre-service and in-service teachers for the linguistic and cultural diversity they are bound to encounter in their classrooms, and of deepening their understanding of the influence of such diversity on the teaching–learning process.     

Examining Systems of Influence and Breaking Methodological Barriers to Create Usable Knowledge

The goal of this special section of Mind, Brain, and Education is to provide a platform on which practical insight can be gained from new empirical research on hormones and behavior in development. In this second installment we highlight two articles and a commentary, which broaden our focus beyond cortisol and stress system functioning to other hormone systems and tackle some of the methodological barriers to making research–practice connections in this domain. Articles specifically look at biology by environment interactions and offer nuanced procedures for hormone collection so as to allow for investigation into the day‐to‐day and even within day dynamic functioning of targeted systems.     

Primary teachers’ perceptions of multi-grade classroom grouping practices to support inclusive education

ABSTRACT

Previous research has focused on inclusive classroom practices in mainstream primary schools but little is documented regarding practices in multi-grade classrooms. The purpose of this paper was to report mainstream primary teachers’ perceptions of multi-grade classroom grouping practices to support inclusive education specifically for students with special educational needs (SEN). The findings indicated that despite the difficulty of covering the curricula of the various grades, multi-grade teachers reported the implementation of flexible grouping practices (ability, mixed ability, social) for academic or social reasons. However, the tension between meeting the needs of the grade groups and the individual student with SEN were apparent, with some practices documented not necessarily inclusive. The importance of using appropriate grouping practices to enable teachers to include all students, thereby avoiding potentially negative effects of treating some students differently was emphasised.     

The National Technological University: Sharing Premier Educational Resources via Telecommunications

Since the mid‐1960s, instructional television (ITV) in the US has grown steadily so, today, ITV is the primary way engineers and technical managers continue their education while at work. Regional ITV systems operated by individual universities continue to grow, and these networks, since 1985, have been simultaneously interconnected nationally by satellite via the National Technological University (NTU) network. By cooperating, 45 major universities are each year providing almost 26 000 hours of high quality instruction to more than 100 000 technical professionals. Last year, more than 180 MSc degrees were awarded by NTU in 11 disciplines and more than 1750 adult learners are now working towards this goal as part‐time students. In addition, 3000 hours of continuing education, research seminars and symposia were delivered to more than 100 000 participants. NTU provides 78% of all university instruction delivered by satellite in North America. The network consists of 43 uplinks and more than 300 receivers linked by a state‐of‐the‐art 2.9 Mbps compressed digital video system. NTU is an accredited and widely respected university. All programmes focus strongly on learner needs. Total quality management is an organizational hallmark. The rapid growth of both member universities and sponsoring employers attests to the success of this unique, cooperative endeavor. To extend educational services globally, national ITV networks interconnected by satellite to serve Europe, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and so forth, need to be planned and implemented. On occasion, for mutual benefit, these satellite networks could be interconnected globally.     

A Methodological Nomad and an Accidental Scholar

Many of us end up in academia through diverse routes. In this brief contribution to the issue’s highlight of scholars in the Central States region, John Baldwin demtails his own circuitous path to academia and highlights the multi-disciplinary work he brings to his research on issues of culture, identity, and tolerance.     

Learning through Making and Maker Education

In this paper, we provide an overview of the current efforts in maker education, supported by a review of empirical studies. Our synthesis will inform the community about learning outcomes, potential and common issues, challenges, resources, and future research direction regarding maker education.     

A Course in Applied Chemistry at a Third World University

Summaries

English

An outline is given of a programme in applied chemistry within a classical chemistry department of a university located in a Third World country with certain specific needs. The curriculum has been specifically designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills used by chemists in Jamaican industry. Industry personnel were invited to participate fully in the development of the curriculum as well as in actual instruction. In this way, an attempt was made to bridge the gap between the ‘academic’ and the ‘real’ world.

The Third World has experienced a perennial shortage of skilled professional scientists, including chemical engineers. The role of the applied chemist, as envisaged by the authors, has assumed greater importance in the light of this shortage. The programme outlined can probably serve as a basis for discussion in other developing countries contemplating similar programmes.     

An activity‐based learning third‐level course on survey sampling

This paper describes a novel method for the delivery of an introductory module on survey sampling at a third‐level institution. As part of the module, students undertake a practical survey that is of interest not only to themselves but also to university administrators and other module coordinators. Unlike many data collection activities used in class, these data have intrinsic value. This module is shown to produce students with a high level of expertise in survey sampling. It also fosters in students wider generic capacities, such as information, communication and problem‐solving skills and teamwork and leadership skills that prepare them for further study and employment. The emphasis on activity‐based learning has led to increased student participation, improved examination results as well as enhanced student satisfaction with the module.