Virtual K–12 Learning: New Learning Frontiers for State Education Agencies

This article explores the role of state education agencies in three states that have embarked on ambitious kindergarten through Grade 12 (K–12) virtual learning initiatives: Alabama, Florida, and Idaho. Subject to a rapidly changing environment influenced by factors beyond the jurisdiction of many state departments of education, the world of virtual K–12 education is relatively unregulated and fluid. Case studies describing the virtual learning initiatives of several states suggest that few, if any, state education agencies are currently equipped to regulate the rapidly growing number of independent for-profit and nonprofit organizations delivering online learning options.     

Diferencias de clase social en la orientación al significado

RESUMEN

Continuando estudios emprendidos dentro del marco de la teoría sociolingüística de Bernstein sobre el habla de los niños en distintos contextos, este trabajo investiga diferencias en la orientación hacia el significado.

Se encuentran diferencias de clase social por lo que se refiere a la distinción teórica básica entre significados relativamente dependientes del contexto y significados relativamente independientes del contexto.

Estas diferencias se sitúan en el contexto de la relación entre la experiencia de contextualización primaria del niño en la familia y los principios de recontextualización de la escuela. Se sugiere que en los niños de clase media existe congruencia entre estos dos tipos de experiencias.

Consideramos que los resultados proporcionan más apoyo a la teoría de la reproducción cultural de Bernstein.     

Effective delivery of therapeutic interventions: findings from four site visits

This project follows a survey into the role of UK educational psychologists (EPs) in delivering therapeutic interventions to children and young people. Four educational psychology services (EPSs) that identified themselves as providing effective therapeutic practice were selected on the basis of their qualitative responses to the survey. Site visits included analysis of service documentation, an interview with the Principal Educational Psychologist (PEP) and focus groups with EPs and with stakeholders, multi-agency partners and commissioners of EPSs. Thematic analysis yielded a number of key themes. Those relating to how the service context can support the delivery of therapeutic interventions included: contracting and promoting; leadership; opportunities to practice; supervision; time and resources; and training.     

Embedded yet separate: tensions in voluntary sector working to support mental health in state‐run schools

The policy agenda of the UK government has repositioned the voluntary sector as a key player in the delivery of locally responsive, ‘bottom up’ services to address the complex problems of social exclusion, reaching out to sectors of the community which are beyond the grasp of traditional state or market providers. This has drawn many voluntary sector organizations into new forms of partnership with statutory bodies. This article draws from a Scottish study to explore the role of voluntary sector organizations working in schools to support the mental well‐being of children and young people. A framework to interrogate the data from case studies is provided by the Scottish Executive, who rehearse four main advantages of such partnerships between state and the voluntary sector. The article concludes that whilst voluntary sector organizations can and do deliver support to children and young people in innovative ways on the margins of school life, the power differential within the school structure makes their position too vulnerable to bring about quick or substantial change.     

Learning and Teaching Programming: A Review and Discussion

In this paper we review the literature relating to the psychological/educational study of programming. We identify general trends comparing novice and expert programmers, programming knowledge and strategies, program generation and comprehension, and object-oriented versus procedural programming. (We do not cover research relating specifically to other programming styles.) The main focus of the review is on novice programming and topics relating to novice teaching and learning. Various problems experienced by novices are identified, including issues relating to basic program design, to algorithmic complexity in certain language features, to the “fragility” of novice knowledge, and so on. We summarise this material and suggest some practical implications for teachers. We suggest that a key issue that emerges is the distinction between effective and ineffective novices. What characterises effective novices? Is it possible to identify the specific deficits of ineffective novices and help them to become effective learners of programming?     

Computer Acquisitions in Higher Education: Managing a Symbiotic Relationship

Computer purchases and acquisitions by institutions of higher education are important for their magnitude, the differences that distinguish their acquisitions from those of other buying units, and the benefits that both the university and the vendor enjoy from them. This article reports on the results of a study of these differences and benefits, and provides a normative model of behavior that enables both purchasers and vendors to manage their symbiotic relationship.     

Reframing leadership as a participative pedagogy: the working theories of early years professionals

Traditional notions of leadership are at odds with the pedagogy and ethos of Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC), prompting increasing international concern to develop new understandings which are better suited and create greater leadership capacity. The introduction of the Early Years Professional (EYP) in England, as a leader of practice without association with an organisational position, gave impetus to the idea of pedagogic leadership. This paper draws on two qualitative studies to examine the working theories of EYPs in leading practice to discover how they interpret and apply their professional purpose. An interpretive approach was adopted to develop patterns of meaning from practitioner stories which show an emerging notion of leadership founded on ‘passionate care’ to improve the education and well-being of young children. Such leadership can be exercised regardless of positional role as it does not operate through authority but from moral purpose and it seeks to release agency for change with others by building trusting relationships. This provides scope to reconceptualise leadership in ECEC as a participative pedagogy which could generate greater leadership capital if embedded into professional development.     

Education for citizenship in Key Stages 1 and 2

ABSTRACT

This paper considers the current context and looks ahead to the opportunities that may now exist to develop education for citizenship. The place of citizenship in Key Stages 1 and 2 is discussed in the light of the National Commission's recommendations, the Dearing review of the curriculum and OFSTED's inspection framework. Questions about what is happening in schools are then raised. Answers to these questions were pursued through case‐studies of ten schools. An account of the findings under nine headings is presented and key issues summarized.     

Using action research to address the mental health needs of older people: a reflection and discussion of real‐world problems

Action research provides an opportunity to implement and understand the process of change in practice settings, as well as develop theoretical insights into complex social situations. The provision of mental healthcare for older people within the general hospital is one such situation, and this paper presents a discussion and reflection on the use of action research in this setting. The background to the project is described, followed by a discussion of three major issues that emerged for us: the extent to which we were able to promote democracy and maintain and demonstrate democratic behaviour, the problems and pitfalls of operationalising grounded theory methodology within an action research approach, and the challenges of developing an authentic and credible account of the care of older people with mental health needs. This paper aims to add to a discourse regarding action research and will be of value to researchers using this approach across a range of health, social care and educational settings.     

Systemic action research: a strategy for whole system change

The aim of this action research project was to identify criteria that would best represent competent teaching and incorporate these within an effective teaching appraisal process. An initial literature review provided broad criteria of the process of teaching which had been shown by research to have fostered student learning. These criteria were structured within an initial proposal for an appraisal framework and were shared with staff at. a seminar in the Faculty of Health Studies at the Auckland Institute of Technology. Twelve staff representing six of the departments subsequently volunteered to participate in a research group to further develop this appraisal framework and the appraisal processes. The researcher used the action research processes of collaboration, power sharing and critical reflection to maximise the quality of and the commitment to the new appraisal procedures. This appraisal model features four dimensions of the teaching process which have been differentiated from the wider duties of a teacher's role. It was implemented in the Faculty promotion round, evaluated, and further upgraded for re‐implementation in the following year. The project has resolved several theoretical problems related to evaluating teaching. It has also produced a framework of valid appraisal criteria which can be used to effectively evaluate the quality of teaching. This appraisal process is considered to be based upon generalisable knowledge which could be utilised by other teaching organisations.