CULTURALLY SITUATED EXPLORATIONS OF CHILD DEVELOPMENT: A HOME VISIT PROJECT FOR PROSPECTIVE EARL Y CHILDHOOD TEACHERS

As part of a child development course in an undergradute early childhood teacher preparation program, students completed a home visit project with a family of a culture other than their own. This report examines the assignment's effectiveness in helping students become aware of the cultural nature of human development and the role of the family in the child's growth and development. Student responses obtained through focus groups, papers, field notes, and course evaluations included 1) reflections on the nature of the experience; 2) reactions to the role of researcher in the home of relative strangers and 3) evaluation of the learning. Although students seem to have achieved some understanding of the role of family and culture, the further step of recognizing culture as fundamental to development was generally not an outcome of the present intervention.     

A fair deal for minority ethnic groups in Scotland?

Scotland is a small country with a dominant white majority and relatively small, varied and dispersed minority ethnic groups. This paper draws on a review of educational research relating to minority ethnic groups at all stages of education in Scotland, conducted in 1998. The review aimed to evaluate research conducted in the areas of: access to educational opportunities, learning and teaching, attainment and staff. We found that existing educational research relevant to minority groups in Scotland is scarce, fragmented and on too small a scale to contribute significantly to policy. In this paper, we put forward various arguments to explain the lack of policy and consequent practice likely to enhance the education of minority groups and draw attention to significant developments in Scotland since 1998 that are likely to affect educational research concerning minority ethnic groups. How can small countries where minority groups comprise a tiny proportion of the overall population ensure that the interests, educational needs and aspirations of these groups are addressed?     

NEWS AND REVIEWS

This paper discusses some of the findings of two research projects initiated by the National Union of Teachers (NUT): a survey of all Round One Education Action Zone (EAZ) NUT school representatives, which sought their views on working in an EAZ school and an evaluation of the role of teachers in EAZs on behalf of the NUT by PricewaterhouseCoopers. The paper considers the extent and effectiveness of teacher involvement in the EAZs at all stages of the initiative, from the initial application process to the implementation and delivery of zone programmes.     

Teacher Perspectives of School Management Teams

This study is intended as a resource and a tool for those involved in the evaluation, monitoring, or self-review of school management teams. The information presented is based on first-hand experiences of n = 838 elementary and middle school teachers from 55 schools who were directly involved with the implementation and operations of school management teams over a 2-year period. The insight reported by these teachers, who represent both management team members and nonmembers, brings to light many of the contextual issues facing management team implementation, operations, and power distribution. These issues are discussed in terms of implications for evaluation and team self-review.     

Developing Sustainable Farmer-led Extension Groups: Lessons from a Bangladeshi Case Study

Abstract

The limited effectiveness and fiscal unsustainability of professional-led public sector extension systems in developing countries have aroused considerable interest in Farmer-led Extension (FLE) approaches in the recent decades. A key challenge facing these initiatives is a lack of sustainability of the farmer groups developed through project or programme assistance. This not only makes FLE initiatives costly, but also creates dependency among farmers. Despite this, the knowledge of what can make externally-initiated FLE groups sustainable is scant and largely anecdotal. In this paper we provide an empirically-drawn and theoretically-informed framework to fill this knowledge gap.

The framework is based on a comparative case study of six non-sustained and four sustained FLE groups initiated through an innovative extension reform project in Bangladesh and a comparison of the results with the theories of collective action.

We have identified four sets of inter-related factors called ‘capitals’ affecting group sustainability: ‘financial capital’ accumulated through group-based microcredit activities, an effective governance mechanism called ‘institutional capital’ devised by the members themselves, good quality group leaders and facilitators called ‘human capital’, and past relations of exchange, reciprocity, trust and respect called ‘social capital’ among members and between members and professional facilitators. While microcredit can benefit sustainability, it suits women rather than men farmers. Good quality leaders and facilitators are not only technically competent, but also fair, innovative, tenacious, self-sacrificing, trustworthy, honest, and sincere. All forms of social capital are not useful for group sustainability and social capital can make a positive impact only when the other types of capital—human and institutional—are present within a group.

To improve group sustainability, FLE programmes should take a holistic approach and address the four kinds of capitals proposed in this paper. Key strategies may include: combining extension (information or advisory functions) with economic activities but avoiding a one-size-fits-all solution, recruiting group leaders and facilitators by going beyond technical considerations (e.g. taking into account the personality traits identified in this study), adopting a bottom-up approach in devising group rules and regulations, and taking into account both the positive and negative aspects of social capital.

The originality of our research lies in the explanatory framework that we provide in this paper. Our study also contributes to the intellectual debates on social capital by exhibiting the dual roles that social capital plays and its complex interrelationships with other forms of capital.     

Issues,challenges and needs of student science teachers in using the Internet as a tool for teaching

In recent years there has been a strong emphasis on the value of various applications of information and communication technology as tools to support teaching and learning. One tool that has been given prominence is the Internet and in order to attain Qualified Teacher Status in England, student teachers are required to demonstrate an ability to use remote databases, such as those provided through the Internet, to support their teaching. However, the experience of the collaborating researchers, working with student teachers in five different higher education institutions, suggests that use of the Internet remains limited. This research project sought to examine current attitudes and practice amongst student secondary science teachers. In particular, factors promoting or hindering the use of the Internet in the classroom were investigated, alongside views concerning what might constitute good pedagogy. The results indicate that most student teachers are making at least some use of the Internet and see its value in promoting learning. However, many issues arose in addition to those which were simply related to lack of resources or technical difficulties. Thus the disparate nature of the material on the Internet and a perception of limited information about effective pedagogy, coupled with a shortage of role models to demonstrate successful use, were also identified as important barriers to their development of effective use of the Internet. The implications of this for initial teacher education programmes are discussed and suggestions for development and further research outlined.     

The LINDSAY Virtual Human Project: An immersive approach to anatomy and physiology

The increasing number of digital anatomy teaching software packages challenges anatomy educators on how to best integrate these tools for teaching and learning. Realistically, there exists a complex interplay of design, implementation, politics, and learning needs in the development and integration of software for education, each of which may be further amplified by the somewhat siloed roles of programmers, faculty, and students. LINDSAY Presenter is newly designed software that permits faculty and students to model and manipulate three‐dimensional anatomy presentations and images, while including embedded quizzes, links, and text‐based content. A validated tool measuring impact across pedagogy, resources, interactivity, freedom, granularity, and factors outside the immediate learning event was used in conjunction with observation, field notes, and focus groups to critically examine the impact of attitudes and perceptions of all stakeholders in the early implementation of LINDSAY Presenter before and after a three‐week trial period with the software. Results demonstrate that external, personal media usage, along with students' awareness of the need to apply anatomy to clinical professional situations drove expectations of LINDSAY Presenter. A focus on the software over learning, which can be expected during initial orientation, surprisingly remained after three weeks of use. The time‐intensive investment required to create learning content is a detractor from user‐generated content and may reflect the consumption nature of other forms of digital learning. Early excitement over new technologies needs to be tempered with clear understanding of what learning is afforded, and how these constructively support future application and integration into professional practice. Anat Sci Educ. © 2012 American Association of Anatomists.     

Promoting preventive behaviors against influenza: Comparison between developing and developed countries

Applying the health belief model, this study examined young adults' intention to adopt preventive behaviors against influenza infection in developing countries (Thailand and Cambodia) and developed countries (the USA and Singapore). Self-efficacy was the only variable significantly related to behavioral intention in the developing countries. In contrast, perceived threat, expected benefits, and media attention were significant predictors in the developed countries. Trust in information sources also had a consistent impact across the two samples. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.     

The Effects of Labyrinth Walking in an Academic Library

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to determine if labyrinth walking in an academic library would reduce library user stress and promote relaxation. A non- equivalent control group design was employed. Systolic blood pressure was significant for time effect (effect size of.136, and power.721). Pulse rate was significant for time effect (effect size 0.93, and power.507). Satisfaction survey results demonstrated increased satisfaction after labyrinth walking. Data from this pilot will form the basis of a larger scale study to determine the effect of labyrinth walking on stress particularly in high-stress learning environments.     

International Librarianship

TheAfrican Journal of Library, Archives and Information Science(AJLAIS) is 5 years' old. Despite its relatively young age, it has become the most consistent and reliable journal for information professionals in Africa. This study is an analysis of the papers covered in the first five volumes (1990–1995). Sixty-nine papers are analysed including the status of the authors, gender, country of origin, and types of research. The type and origin of cited documents the authors used in writing articles were also explored. When compared to previous studies, this study reveals an increase in the number of publications from Africa. Of particular interest is the increase in the number of female contributors. The major areas of interest are information technology, rural libraries and status/image of librarians.