Teachers’ attitudes towards inclusive education: a critical review of published questionnaires

Teachers’ attitudes towards inclusive education affect its successful implementation within mainstream schools. This paper reviews nine questionnaires which capture primary school teachers’ attitudes towards inclusion, with the aim to support researchers in selecting the most appropriate measure according to the purpose of their study. Most of the reviewed questionnaires showed acceptable reliability and validity. The Multidimensional Attitudes towards Inclusive Education Scale (MATIES) and the Sentiments, Attitudes, and Concerns about Inclusive Education Revised Scale (SACIE-R) were the only questionnaires with adequate psychometric properties which addressed the affective, cognitive and behavioural components of teachers’ attitudes. As another psychometrically sound scale, the Teachers’ Attitude towards Inclusion Scale (TAIS) was found to use more up-to-date terminology and suitably addressed the cognitive and behavioural components. This paper provides a useful resource to facilitate the appropriate selection of questionnaires that measure teachers’ attitudes towards inclusion.     

An integrated framework to guide educational psychologist practice

This paper describes a five-phase practice approach that further develops Monsen et al.'s problem-analysis framework, which was originally designed for use by educational psychologists in training. The five-phase approach aims to provide a user-friendly conceptual framework for use by experienced educational psychologists. Action points, completed summary proformae, and a multi-faceted assessment and intervention example are provided to support the implementation of this approach within practice-based work.     

Sustainable Procurement: Integrating Classroom Learning with University Sustainability Programs

Organizations are facing increased pressure from various stakeholders to address issues of sustainability, resulting in a growing demand for sustainability education and training. Procurement groups remain the key drivers of many sustainability‐related strategies, placing pressure on universities to integrate sustainability concepts into the business curriculum. This article describes a replicable educational model that allows students to learn about sustainable procurement while concurrently promoting sustainability within the university community.     

Ten Years of Research: A Systematic Review of Three Refereed LD Journals

Content analyses of journals in the field of LD provide a means of surveying research and publication trends, the knowledge of which may inform policy and practice related to future research agendas. As the first decade of the current millennium was particularly contentious for the field of LD, we felt that a content review would be timely. In this paper, the content of three refereed LD journals—Journal of Learning Disabilities, Learning Disabilities Research & Practice, and Learning Disabilities Quarterly—was analyzed. Articles from 2001–2010 (n = 841) were systematically coded to capture article type, area of interest, population of interest, sample characteristics, and inclusion of students with LD. Results indicate that across the decade, (a) 68% of articles reported empirical research; (b) empirical research trended up; (c) publication of intervention research remained steady; (d) the most common foci were literacy and the non‐academic characteristics of individuals with LD; and (e) inclusion of participants labeled as having a LD declined. We discuss trends, possible explanations, and implications, highlighting areas for future research.     

Assessing Pre-Service Teacher Attitudes and Skills With the Technology Integration Confidence Scale

As technology integration continues to gain importance, preservice teachers must develop higher levels of confidence and proficiency in using technology in their classrooms (Kay, 2006 Kay, R. H. 2006. Evaluating strategies used to incorporate technology into preservice education: A review of the literature. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 38: 383–408. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]). The acceptance of the National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers (NETS-T) by National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) has compelled teacher education programs to reexamine their curricula. However, most of these efforts lack the theory-based measures (Netemeyer, Bearden, &; Sharma, 2003 Netemeyer, R. G., Bearden, W. O. and Sharma, S. 2003. “Scaling procedures: Issues and applications”. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. [Crossref] , [Google Scholar]) of NETS-T dispositions and proficiency. In an effort to address this need, the Technology Integration Confidence Scale (TICS) was developed at Brigham Young University's McKay School of Education. This article describes the development of the TICS, which consists of 28 self-efficacy items based on tasks described in the NETS-T. It was pilot tested on preservice teachers during the spring 2006 term (N = 52), and the results were analyzed for item functioning and reliability. Evidence was also gathered to support the result's validity.     

The place of the closed book,invigilated final examination in a knowledge economy

This paper examines the origin and implications of adult learners’ emotions in the context of an online distance learning programme at the Open University of Cyprus. Various methods for gathering data about learners’ emotions related to online learning are used, such as emotion diaries, semi‐structured interviews, and email messages. The paper highlights the multiple directions adult learners’ emotions can take and the significance of learners’ interpretations of their emotions in relation to the online learning methodology. The issues of social and emotional communication and contact emerge as critical in the exploration of adult learners’ emotions in the context of online learning.

Le rôle des émotions dans l’expérience de l’apprentissage en ligne: Défis et possibilités

Cet article examine l’origine et les implications des émotions qu’éprouvent les apprenants adultes dans le contexte d’un programme d’apprentissage en ligne à l’Université Ouverte de Chypre. On a utilisé différentes méthodes pour recueillir des données sur les émotions que ressentent les apprenants par rapport à l’apprentissage en ligne, citons les journaux personnels d’émotions, les entretiens semi‐structurés et les courriels. L’article fait apparaître les directions multiples que peuvent prendre les émotions des apprenants adultes et la signification de leurs différentes interprétations de ces émotions par rapport à la méthodologie de l’apprentissage en ligne. Les problèmes de communication sociale et émotionnelle et de contact apparaissent critiques dans cette exploration des émotions des apprenants adultes dans le contexte de l’apprentissage en ligne.

Die Rolle von Emotionen in der Praxis des Online‐Learning: Herausforderungen und Möglichkeiten

In diesem Papier werden Entstehung und Folgen von Emotionen erwachsener Lerner im Rahmen eines Online – Fernlehrgangs an der Open University of Cyprus untersucht. Es werden dazu verschiedene Methoden der Datenerfassung von Emotionen bezüglich des Online‐Lernens benutzt, z.B. Gefühle‐Tagebücher, halb strukturierte Interviews und E‐Mail‐Nachrichten. Dieses Papier beleuchtet die vielen Richtungen, in die die Emotionen erwachsener Lerner gehen können und die Bedeutung, die die Interpretation ihrer Gefühle in Bezug auf ihre Online‐Lern‐Methodologie hat. Die Fragen nach sozialer und emotionaler Kommunikation und nach Kontakt erweisen sich als kritisch bei der Untersuchung der Emotionen erwachsener Lerner in Zusammenhang mit dem Online‐Lernen.

El papel de las emociones en las experiencias de aprendizaje en línea: desafíos y oportunidades

El presente artículo examina el origen y las implicaciones de las emociones de los estudiantes adultos dentro del contexto de un programa de aprendizaje a distancia de la Universidad Abierta de Chipre. Se utilizan varios métodos para recoger datos sobre las emociones de los estudiantes relacionadas con el aprendizaje en línea. Podemos mencionar los diarios de emociones, las entrevistas semi‐estructuradas y los mensajes de correo electrónico. El presente trabajo pone de manifiesto las multiples direcciones que las emociones de los estudiantes adultos pueden tomar y la significación de las interpretaciones de sus propias emociones con respecto a la metodología de aprendizaje en línea. Las cuestiones de la comunicación y del contacto social y emocional son elementos críticos en la exploración de las emociones de los estudiantes adultos dentro del contexto de aprendizaje en línea.     

A theoretical framework for building online communities of practice with social networking tools

This paper proposes a theoretical framework as a foundation for building online communities of practice when a suite of social networking applications referred to as collective intelligence tools are utilized to develop a product or solutions to a problem. Drawing on recent developments in Web 2.0 tools, research on communities of practice and relevant theories of learning, and the authors' own action research experience in collaborative knowledge creation utilizing Web 2.0 tools, this paper discusses a learning community's spiraling process as it moves from a given sociocultural context through discourse, action, reflection, and reorganization toward socially mediated metacognition.

Un cadre théorique pour construire des communautés de pratique en ligne en utilisant des outils de maillage social

Cet article propose un cadre théorique sur lequel édifier des communautés de pratique en ligne lorsqu'on utilise, pour mettre au point un produit ou des solutions à un problème, une série d'applications destinées à la construction de réseaux humains et connues sous le nom d'outils d'intelligence collective. En s'appuyant sur les évolutions récentes des outils Web 2.0, sur les recherches sur les communautés d'usage et les théories de l'apprentissage pertinentes ainsi que sur l'expérience propre aux auteurs en matière de recherche action sur la création collaborative de savoir en utilisant le Web 2.0, le présent article examine le processus en spirale d'une communauté d'apprentissage qui part d'un contexte socio culturel donné et qui passe par le discours, l'action la réflexion et la réorganisation pour atteindre la métacognition reposant sur la médiation humaine.

Ein Theorierahmen für den Aufbau von “Online‐Communitives of Practice” mit Hilfe von Anwendungen für Social Networking

In diesem Beitrag wird ein theoretischer Rahmen als Grundlage für den Aufbau von Online‐Praxis‐Gemeinschaften vorgestellt, wenn eine Reihe von Social Networking Anwendungen, auf die man sich als kollektive Intelligenz‐Tools beziehen kann, benutzt wird, um ein Ergebnis oder eine Problemlösung zu entwickeln. Wenn man den neuesten Entwicklungsstand bei den Web 2.0 tools mit einbezieht, die Forschung im Kommunikationsbereich, die relevanten Lerntheorien und die eigenen Forschungen und praktischen Erfahrungen des Autors in der Benutzung von Web 2.0‐Anwendungen auf dem Gebiet der gemeinschaftlichen Wissensermittlung, belegt dieses Papier den spiralförmigen Prozess beim Bewegen von einem bestimmten soziokulturellem Kontext aus durch Diskurs, Aktion, Reflektion und Reorganisation hin zu sozial vermittelter Metaerkenntnis.

Un marco teórico para la construcción de comunidades de práctica en línea con herramientas de creación de redes sociales

Este artículo propone un marco teórico como base para la construcción de comunidades de práctica cuando se utiliza una serie de aplicaciones sociales en redes (conocidas como herramientas de inteligencia colectiva) para desarrollar un producto o solucionar tal o tal problema. Basandose en las evoluciones recientes de las herramientas Web 2.0, en las investigaciones sobre las Comunidades de Uso y las teorías del aprendizaje más pertinentes así como en la experiencia propia de la investigación/acción por parte de los autores sobre la creación colaborativa de conocimiento a través del uso de herramientas Web 2.0, este artículo examina la evolución « en espiral » de una comunidad de aprendizaje que sale de un contexto socio cultural determinado y pasando por el discurso, acción, reflexión, alcanza la metacognición basada en la mediación humana.     

Academic progress in the 16–19 curriculum: some senior staff perceptions of current monitoring systems and operational procedures

In outlining its programme of target-setting for post-16 provision in 1997, the DfEE sought to promote the monitoring of academic progress in order to raise achievement both at institutional level and also at the individual student level. This article, based on research conducted in schools and colleges in North and West Yorkshire, focuses on the latter and examines senior staff perceptions of current monitoring systems and operational procedures. The article gives an overview of the main systems used and how these are adapted to suit the circumstances of a particular institution. The authors suggest that in general the implementation of target-setting has been viewed positively, largely due to the current flexibility for senior staff to adapt whatever system best suits their needs. It recommends that this should be seen as a strength of the current situation and that the introduction of more uniform systems should be avoided if it is at the expense of meaningful procedures adapted to local requirements.