What is literacy for students with severe learning difficulties? Exploring conventional and inclusive literacy

This paper arises from research into inclusive literacy for pupils with severe learning difficulties who do not learn to read and write conventionally. The ultimate aim of the study was to seek out examples of good practice in teaching and learning literacy that includes students with severe learning difficulties and disseminate them as widely as possible. Thirty-five schools were visited and observations made in 122 lessons. Sixty-one teachers were interviewed and their paperwork examined. Ten focus groups and five 'expert witnesses' were consulted, alongside desk-based research designed to locate 'good practice'. Teachers used a mixture of conventional (e.g., texts) and non-conventional (e.g., pictures, film and oral) media, although more observations were made of conventional literacy teaching (e.g., phonic work) than of non-conventional (e.g., filmmaking). Results from the research suggest that few students with severe learning difficulties are likely to learn to read and write conventionally (i.e., read for pleasure, work and study) and teachers may be relying too much on teaching traditional literacy to them. It may be useful to explore teaching and learning around alternative media such as still and moving images, live theatre and storytelling, digital technology and the arts. Although some teachers are making good use of these media, the potential of these media for providing inclusive literacy experiences could be further developed.     

Mediating HIV/AIDS Strategies in Children’s Literature in Zimbabwe

The Ministry of Education and Culture in Zimbabwe has introduced an intervention into the school curricula to complement the already existing mechanisms in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The literature in this programme is said to be designed to develop children’s knowledge of HIV/AIDS and to maximise both individual and community commitment to the safest protective behaviour possible. This paper argues that despite the Ministry’s efforts there is a dearth of such literature which would depict human relations and experiences in the context of HIV/AIDS in the corpus of Zimbabwean children’s literature in schools. It proposes that more fiction about HIV/AIDS could effectively complement the current non-fictional texts used in most Zimbabwean schools. This paper seeks therefore, to clarify the need for fictional narratives in which the disease plays a part since they will provide the main context in which young children learn to cope with the realities associated with HIV/AIDS through education. It posits that Zimbabwean children’s literature should also depict the conceptual framework within which health, human interaction and sexuality are understood in relation to the epidemic. Hazel Tafadzwa Ngoshi is with the department of English and Communication, Midlands State University, Zimbabwe. She teaches Renaissance and 20th century English literature and autobiography. A holder of a Master of Arts degree in English from the University of Zimbabwe, her research interests include children’s literature and autobiography. Currently, she is writing a book on Zimbabwean female (auto) biographies. Juliet Sylvia Pasi holds a Master of Arts degree in English from the University of Zimbabwe. She teaches Communication and African literature in the department of English and Communication at the Midlands State University, Zimbabwe. Currently, she is researching on aspects of orality in Zimbabwean children’s literature and the mediation of gender identities in African literature.     

Public views on the gendering of mathematics and related careers: international comparisons

Mathematics continues to be an enabling discipline for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)-based university studies and related careers. Explanatory models for females’ underrepresentation in higher level mathematics and STEM-based courses comprise learner-related and environmental variables—including societal beliefs. Using Facebook to recruit participants, we explored if mathematics, science, and computing continue to be viewed as male domains. Responses were received from 784 people in 81 countries. As well as looking at the views of the world at large, responses from nine countries with at least 30 respondents—Canada, China, Egypt, India, Israel, Singapore, UAE, UK, and Australia—were examined in more detail. The results indicated that among those who held gender-stereotyped views (and many did not), mathematics, science, and computing were considered more suitable for males than for females.     

The impact of information technology on the efficacy of tuition fee collection: a case in Jamaica

Most governments in both developed and developing countries are reducing their financial support to universities. This condition is further compounded in Jamaica because the Jamaican government has shifted its focus and support from tertiary to early childhood education. As a result, both students and universities in Jamaica are experiencing financial difficulties. In an effort to overcome the challenges, one major university in the country has embarked upon a series of initiatives. These initiatives include, as a central element, the use of information technology (IT). Hence, this research seeks to answer the pivotal question, ‘How does the use of information technology enable a Jamaican university to manage tuition fee collection in a manner that is effective yet sensitive to students’ financial situation?’ The survey found a significant relationship between the IT system and students being financially cleared at the release of examination results. In addition, the majority of students paid their tuition fees each semester via multiple payment options, and 64% of the Billing and Receivables staff believed that the IT system was effective in collecting tuition fees. These insights should assist universities’ decision makers in identifying the best suite of financial strategies to enhance tuition fee collection.     

Sustainable development and African local government: can electronic training help build capacities?

A recent study carried out by European and African organizations into the potential for electronic distance training (EDT) on sustainability in African local governments concluded that EDT was both ‘useful and feasible’. This article reflects on some of the theoretical and practical implications of that study. It focuses on the connection between learning and sustainability and how EDT programmes might be designed and promoted. The paper argues that, while resource issues and poor access to Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) create considerable constraints and point to the need for policies to improve access, in general the most important factors for successful capacity building relate to the design of learning programmes that take account of the work contexts and skill and capability requirements of those targeted as learners. ‘Useful’ and ‘feasible’ depend on (i) how work‐based and work‐related learning processes are understood and (ii) the conditions to promote learning within African local government.     

Parent Motivation Strategies and the Performance of Preschoolers in a Rural Philippine Municipality

Although under-investment in children is an identified problem in low-income developing countries (LDC) and the establishment and use of preschools has been advocated as a partial remedy, the readiness of children and parents for preschool in LDC has been little studied. This paper assesses motivational techniques that parents report using with preschool children in a rural Philippine municipality. The purposes of this study were to examine: (a) whether the motivation strategies used by parents are consistent with a “balanced, holistic approach” to child development and (b) whether the parents’ motivational strategies are associated with school performance. The study suggests some over-weighting by parents of academic achievement, but otherwise more appropriate child-oriented behaviors were observed than reported in some research. Motivation by parents also was associated with preschool performance.     

The Impact of Increased Fees on Participation in Higher Education in England

This article explores some recent research evidence on the possible impact of the higher education reforms in England on participation by students from lower socio‐economic backgrounds. The evidence is examined in terms of costs, debt and term‐time working. Financial issues have been shown to constrain choice of institution and place of study for lower‐income students, and financial problems are commonly cited as reasons for dropping out of higher education. The greatest difference in debt levels has been found to be linked to family background, with students who were poor before they entered university leaving university with the largest debts. Overdrafts and credit card debt levels have been shown to be lower for students in receipt of grants than for those who are not. Research has shown that school leavers who are least debt‐averse are more likely to go to university than those who are anti‐debt; the latter include those from the lowest socio‐economic groups and certain black and minority ethnic groups. Students who work in term‐time may achieve less academically: those who work in term‐time are more often those from lower socio‐economic groups or minority ethnic groups. Overall, the evidence indicates that financial payments and grants are likely to be the most promising way forward to increase participation in higher education among those from lower socio‐economic backgrounds.     

Narrative and Career Guidance: Beyond Small Talk and Towards Useful Dialogue for the 21st Century

The rapidly changing world creates the need for new ways of working in guidance practice. This can lead to a quest for new or better theory. There are also concerns about those who may be excluded from the mainstream of social and economic life. Within this context, this article discusses how narrative-based approaches can help to manage the changing world of career. In particular, it considers the usefulness of employing narrative strategies for work with young people. It also questions the value of narrative-based approaches where practice is based on an integrated use of theory. Finally, it suggests possible ways forward for introducing narrative-based approaches into practice via career guidance training.

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Zusammenfassung. Narration und Berufsberatung: Jenseits der Konversation und hin zu nützlichen Dialogen für das 21. Jahrhundert Di sich rasch verändernde Welt schafft in der Beratungspraxis einen Bedarf für neue Vorgehensweisen . Dies kann auch zu einer Suche nach einer neuen oder besseren Beratungstheorie führen. Es gibt auch die Sorge um diejenigen, die vom Hauptstrom des gesellschaftlichen und wirtschaftlichen Lebens ausgeschlossen werden könnten. In diesen Kontexten diskutiert dieser Artikel, wie narrative Ansätze dabei helfen können, die sich verändernde Berufswelt zu bewältigen. Insbesondere behandelt der Artikel die Nützlichkeit von erzählerischen Strategien in der Arbeit mit jungen Menschen. Ebenfalls hinterfragt wird der Nutzen von narrativen Methoden unter Bedingungen, in denen die Praxis auf einer integrierten Umsetzung von Theorien basieren soll. Schließlich werden Schritte zur Einführung narrativer Beratungsansätze in die Praxis auf dem Weg der Aus- und Fortbildung von Beratern vorgeschlagen.

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Resumen. Narrativa y orientación para la carrera: más allá de la charla y hacia el diálogo útil para el Siglo XXI Los continuos y rápidos cambios en el mundo de hoy generan la necesidad de nuevas formas de trabajo en la práctica de la orientación. Esto puede dar lugar a la búsqueda de nuevas o mejores teorías. Tambn existe la preocupación por aquellos que pueden resultar excluidos de la vida social y económica. En este contexto, este artículo discute cómo los enfoques que utilizan la narrativa pueden ayudar a gestionar el cambiante mundo profesional. En concreto, considera la utilidad de usar estrategias narrativas al trabajar con jóvenes. También cuestiona la valía de los enfoques narrativos cuando la práctica de la orientación se basa en un uso integrado de la teoría. Finalmente, sugiere posibles vías para introducir los enfoques narrativos en la práctica de la orientación para la carrera a través de la formación.

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Résumé. Orientation narrative et professionnelle: au delà de l’entretien conversationnel et vers un dialogue utile pour le 21ème siècle Le monde en mutation accélérée crée le besoin de mettre en oeuvre de nouvelles manières de travailler dans le cadre des pratiques de l’orientation. Ceci peut conduire à la recherche d’une nouvelle ou d’une meilleure théorie. Il y a également le problème de ceux qui peuvent être exclus du cours de la vie sociale et économique. Dans ce contexte, cet article discute de la question de savoir comment les approches basées sur les récits peuvent aider à gérer le monde mouvant des trajectoires de vie professionnelle. En particulier, il considère les avantages qu’il y a à utiliser des stratégies narratives dans le travail avec les jeunes. Il questionne également la valeur des approches basées sur les récits lorsque la pratique est fondée sur un usage intégré de la théorie. Enfin, il suggère des voies permettant d’introduire des approches basées sur les récits dans la pratique via la formation en conseil d’orientation.

     

The complex development of student-teachers' thinking

Studies of student-teacher development have tended to suggest a three-stage model of development in which the novices' concerns shift outwards from an initial preoccupation with self, to a focus on tasks and teaching situations, and finally to consideration of pupil learning. This paper, based on sequence of post-lesson interviews conducted with 25 student teachers following 1-year postgraduate courses within school-based partnership schemes of initial teacher education, questions the adequacy of such a model. Analysis of the reasons that the student-teachers offered for their teaching decisions, and of their lesson evaluations suggests a high level of concern for pupils' learning and an awareness of the complexity of teaching from very early in their training. The implications of these findings are explored; in particular, the challenges that they pose to teacher educators in terms of course structure and curricula, and the need to be responsive to individual learners.