Design approach of mathematics learning activities in a digital environment for children with autism spectrum disorders

Learning environment on mathematics for autistic children is a prototype of a digital environment with dynamic adaptation features designed to offer activities towards the development of mathematical reasoning in children aged 6–12 years, diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social communication and social interaction as well as restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests or activities. This paper, with a primarily conceptual and analytical scope, discusses the mathematical difficulties that some children with ASD have, and presents strategies that can be used to overcome them. Based on a literature review and on the results of a preliminary study already conducted, we present results concerning the proposal of a set of learning activities for the prototype under development, specifically targeted to promote mathematical reasoning in students with ASD. Guidelines for future research are also discussed.     

Teaching for democracy in Spain

As part of the process of re-establishing democracy, Spain is reforming its educational system to promote democratic values. This article describes an experiment in education for democracy that was carried out among 86 pupils, between 12 and 14 years old, in the Spanish region of Murcia. A teaching programme was developed, in which students were encouraged to study how power is exercised in the home, the school, the community, the nation and the world. Results have been generally positive in arousing pupils' interest in democracy and helping them to understand democratic processes.

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Zusammenfassung Als Teil seiner Maßnahmen zur Wiedereinführung der Demokratie reformiert Spanien sein Bildungssystem, um demokratische Werte zu fördern. In diesem Artikel wird ein mit 86 Schülern zwischen 12 und 14 Jahren in der spanischen Region Murcia durchgeführtes Experiment zum Thema Erziehung zurDemokratie beschrieben. Hierzu wurde ein Lehrprogramm entwickelt, in dem Studenten herausfinden sollten, wie Machtstrukturen in der Familie, der Schule, der Gemeinschaft, der Nation und der Welt funktionieren. Mit einem deutlich gesteigerten Interesse und Verständnis der Schüler für die Demokratie wurden die Resultate allgmein als positiv beurteilt.

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Résumé La réforme du système éducatif espagnol visant à la promotion des valeurs démocratiques s'inscrit dans le processus de rétablissement de la démocratie. Cet article décrit une expérience d'apprentissage de la démocratie réalisée avec 86 élèves de 12 à 14 ans, en Espagne, dans la région de Murcia. Il s'agit d'un programme éducatif incitant les élèves à prendre conscience de l'exercice du pouvoir au foyer, à l'école, dans la communauté, la nation et dans le monde. Les résultats se sont révélés globalement positifs dans la mesure où cette expérience a éveillé l'intérêt des élèves pour la démocratie et les a aidés à comprendre les processus démocratiques.

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Sumario Un aspecto del proceso de restablecimiento de la democracia en España es la reforma del sistema educativo con miras a promover los val ores democráticos. Este artículo describe un experimento de educación para la democracia que se realizó con 86 escolares, de 12 a 14 años de edad, en la provincia española de Murcia. Se elaboró un programa para motivar a los escolares a analizar cómo se ejerce el poder en el hogar, la escuela, la comunidad, la nación y el mundo. Sus resultados han sido generalmente positivos, despertando el interés de los escolares por la democracia y ayudándolos a entender los procesos democráticos.

     

Mehrsprachigkeit als Argument?

In the discourse on primary school choice in Germany, the topic of internationality is often explained with reference to multilingualism. This article shows how multilingualism is used as an argument in various ways to justify parental decisions to choose or to avoid certain primary schools. The combination of the results from two different projects dealing with parental school choice allows a closer look at the school choice situation in Berlin. The article provides a critical perspective on the fact that the topics of internationality and multilingualism are used to negotiate a wider range of topics and problems.     

Self-Regulated Learning in Refugee Entrepreneurship Education: A University-Based Program for Tibetan Entrepreneurs in India

This article presents a case study evaluation of an entrepreneurship education (EE) program for Tibetan refugees in India. In the context of both calls for and critiques of entrepreneurial support strategies for refugee communities, the authors of this study used mixed methods and ethnographic approaches to reflect upon the delivery and reception of the Tibetan Entrepreneurship Development initiative’s preincubation training program during its third cycle. Two innovative features of this program—its use of the material and intellectual resources of a university to support the refugee-entrepreneurs and its pedagogical emphasis on self-regulated learning—might serve as a model for similar initiatives among refugee groups in South Asia and beyond. Examining the participants’ evolving entrepreneurial visions of themselves and their community, we offer critical reflections on the program’s successes and areas for improvement.     

Teacher education,graduates’ teaching commitment and entrance into the teaching profession

This study aimed to gain insight into the relationship between teacher education and graduating teachers (not) starting in the teaching profession (n=209). Predictor variables referred to teacher education, integration into teaching, and teaching commitment. To examine interrelationships between these variables, factors were also interlinked to test a theoretical model of graduates’ teaching commitment. Results reveal that graduates’ teaching commitment is strongly related to their entrance into the teaching profession. Furthermore, the perception of mentor teachers’ evaluative support is directly related to teaching commitment and other variables (e.g. faculty support, type of teacher training) are indirectly related through the mediation with graduates’ teacher efficacy and professional orientation.     

Teaching argumentative synthesis writing through deliberative dialogues: instructional practices in secondary education

Instructional Science - Dialogical argumentation practice contributes positively to argumentative writing skills. Specifically, deliberative dialogues are effective in promoting argument and...     

How speechreading contributes to reading in a transparent ortography: the case of Spanish deaf people

The aim of the study is to describe the performance of deaf and hearing people while speechreading Spanish, a language with transparent orthography, and to relate this skill to reading efficiency. Three groups of 27 participants each were recruited: a group of deaf participants, a chronological age‐matched hearing group and a reading age‐matched hearing group. All three were tested on vocabulary, phonological awareness, reading speed, speechreading and, only in the group of deaf people, speech intelligibility. The results indicate that deaf people are better speechreaders than younger hearing people, but they are no better than their age‐matched peers, and that speechreading is related to reading only in deaf people.     

Individualism,instrumental reason and policy texts: some considerations from the perspective of contemporary political philosophy

This article dialogues with Matthew Weinstein’s paper named “NGSS, disposability, and the ambivalence of Science in/under neoliberalism”, in which he explores the argument that at the same time the NGSS framework is largely identified with neoliberal discourse, it presents points of ambivalence and resistance within. In this dialogue, we focused on two topics that we believe are important for the discussion of the ambivalences highlighted in the author’s argument, namely: the the social production of indifference as a consequence of the neoliberal ideology and the production of a version of science streamlined for the neoliberal technoscientific job market within the ‘neoliberal ecosystem’. Based on the thesis of the Canadian philosopher Charles Taylor on ethics and on the concept of hybridism, we linked Weinsteins’ analysis to issues related to individualism and instrumental reason, pointing out that it is possible that the ambivalences highlighted by Weinstein are, in fact, a component of neoliberal discourse. Nevertheless we agree that this kind of text presents loopholes that allows practices oriented for social change and for the improvement of democracies in progress. We conclude that for those who dedicate themselves to reflect upon educational strategies to cope with the hegemonic model remains the challenge of finding spaces and times in the curriculum in order to explore the gaps in policy texts and, more important, to promote the experience of democratic practices throughout the school communities.     

Enhancing teachers’ self-efficacy within full-service schools: a disregarded aspect by the District-Based Support Team

Teachers’ sense of self-efficacy is crucial for the success of implementation of inclusive education in schools. The Education White paper 6 mandated the District-Based Support Teams (DBSTs) to successfully support teachers to feel more equipped and be competent in their roles to address barriers to learning, which consequently will experience positive self-efficacy beliefs. The purpose of this article is to explore the competencies of the DBST in enhancing teachers’ sense of self-efficacy within Full-Service schools. Data were generated by means of interviews using a qualitative approach. Members of the DBST and teachers from the Full-Service schools in two provinces of South Africa participated in this research. The findings revealed that certain factors such as incompetent leadership, inefficient support, unavailability of structured programmes as well as poor communication and cooperation disable DBSTs with respect to enhancing teachers’ sense of self-efficacy in various ways. The authors recommend that by addressing these factors teachers’ sense of self-efficacy will be enhanced.     

Colorimetric Evaluation of Pictorial Coatings in Conservation of Plasterworks from the Islamic Tradition

ABSTRACT

The main aim of our current investigation is the colorimetric evaluation of protective treatments (consolidants) applied to traditional Islamic plasterworks, under natural ageing conditions. From analyses of the original pictorial plaster remains in the Courtyard of the Maidens of the Real Alcázar in Seville, Spain (a World Heritage Site) we prepared test specimens, using materials and techniques similar to the original ones. We analysed 56 test specimens painted with four pigments (yellow, green, blue, and red), using two different binders (animal glue and gum arabic), onto which five representative consolidants were applied: barium hydroxide, acrylic copolymer, polyvinyl butyral, ethyl silicate, and bacterial carbonatogenesis. The test specimens were subjected to natural ageing for one year (indoors and outdoors), enabling a colorimetric assessment to be made of the changes of the polychrome surfaces. The colorimetric heterogeneity of the 56 specimens after ageing registered an average value of 2.7 CIELAB units, assessed using the mean colour difference with respect to the mean. In the aged specimens, the addition of consolidants resulted in average colour differences (mainly lightness differences) of 10.7 and 6.7 CIELAB units, considering as a reference the specimens without consolidants aged indoors and outdoors, respectively. These colour differences were very similar for both binders but not for the four pigments, higher values being found for the blue and red pigments. Considering as reference the samples without consolidants aged outdoors, we found no statistically significant colour differences, either among the five consolidants (p?=?.094) nor the two binders (p?=?.674) used. In addition to the magnitude of colour differences, the choice of the most appropriate consolidants must also consider aspects related to performance and effectiveness. Overall, for the type of paints tested, the polyvinyl butyral consolidant appeared to perform the best, followed by the ethyl silicate.