Presidential address: Power and privilege in education: The perpetual problem of social class

Abstract

... white settlers require native servants, they can only ensure a continuous supply by seeing to it that the servants are kept in a state of decided educational inferiority. To educate them ... (would) inculcate such mischievous and intolerable ideas as democracy, the brotherhood of man, human freedoms and the like (Wellington, 1967, p. 391)

In 1990, after sixty‐seven years of apartheid rule Namibia gained independence from South Africa. The quote above illustrates the influences of political, socio‐economic and ideological factors on the development of Bantu education in Namibia [and South Africa], which sought to entrench and maintain the system of apartheid. The paper will explore the influences of these macro‐factors, specifically on teaching and learning, on the Bantu and other phases of education throughout Namibian history i.e. indigenous education, missionary education and education for all.     

THE IMPORTANCE OF SOCIOEDUCATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS IN UNIVERSITY PROGRAMS FOR OLDER ADULT STUDENTS

ABSTRACT

In this paper we consider that, to a great degree, educational quality is insured through successful educational and social-relationship strategies developed among educators and their older adult students. Proposals to improve educational quality should be considered within the unique context of each university's mission and goals. Otherwise, the same measures used in different institutions may lead either to progress or to educational and social regression. Much depends on the conditions under which programs are implemented, and the way they are perceived by participants in the educational process.     

University stakeholders,intergenerational relationships and lifelong learning: a European case study

ABSTRACT

This study describes and analyzes the role of a Senior Programme of the University of Lleida (Catalonia, Spain) aimed at fostering older people’s lifelong learning, active ageing, social participation, and intergenerational relationships. Based on qualitative Action Research and Participant Observation, this article examines the participation of senior students as stakeholders in this Programme and in two European projects, SIforAGE and TOY, developed between 2012 and 2017. The findings reveal the importance of these learning and research activities to promote intergenerational solidarity, the quality of life of older people, and the development and improvement of the Senior Programme itself.     

Motivational Factors and Predictors for Attending a Continuing Education Program for Older Adults

The objectives were to describe the stated motives of participants who enrolled in a program at the Open University for the Elderly (UnATI, in Portuguese), identify correlations between the stated motives and sociodemographic data, and find a set of predictors related to the listed motives. A total of 306 middle-aged and elderly adults aged 50 or older were surveyed through a sociodemographic questionnaire and a five-item scale to check their motives to enroll in the program. The following motivational factors were identified, in order of importance: enhancing general knowledge, investing in personal development, increasing social interaction, learning more in order to help others, and employing one's free time profitably. Age and years of schooling combined were strong predictors of participants seeking new knowledge. Being single and not retired was correlated with the motive Investing in Personal Development. Having attended elementary school only and being married was closely correlated to the motive Increasing Social Interaction. Employing One's Free Time Profitably was associated with single or widowed individuals with family income between 3.1 and 4.0 times the minimum wage. As for Learning More in Order to Help Others, no predictors were found for this motive. It was found that participants seek to satisfy a desire to learn/ know more, to be up-to-date, to exercise their rights as citizens, and to play an active role in society. Our data suggest that these are the assumptions that drive middle-aged and elderly adults to look for various types of educational programs.     

ICT and Older People: Beyond Usability

This study examined the use that older, regular users of computers make of information and computer technology in their daily lives. Opinions from such users were obtained regarding what they want these technologies to offer them in the future. By means of a discussion group and an online questionnaire, our critical case examined a group of mature senior students from the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (online learning) who have used computers and the Internet in their activities. In general, the participants needed to know the function of the tool beforehand and to have continued support and confidence. In particular, they need the certainty that the future technology will allow them to maintain their independence and autonomy. Older people's adoption of IT needs to be treated as more than merely a question of usability. Attitudes, experience of use, and perceived benefits are also key aspects that must be taken into account.     

Sharing,Talking, and Learning in the Elementary School Science Classroom: Benefits of Innovative Design and Collaborative Learning in Computer-Integrated Settings

Impact on student achievement of randomly assigned students working individually or collaboratively in mixed- and matched-gender pairs at a computer on predetermined science tasks was investigated. Collaborative dyads shared a computer and screen as each operated an independent keyboard and mouse. A mixed gender control group working individually at their respective computers was used for comparison purposes. A software application was designed to facilitate collaborative work and track the quantity of text written by users and their respective use of time. A final written assessment was conducted to compare the level of academic achievement between the control group and the experimental. A significant difference in academic achievement resulted.     

Networks in Education: An Analysis of Selected Discourses

‘Network’ is a fashionable and current term in every field of contemporary society and education is no exception. In this paper, the concept of network (and other associated concepts, such as partnership and collaboration) is reviewed. Such revision regards selected theoretical contributions and is explored in terms of the use of the concepts in legal documents and in the discourses of aldermen and educational officers from Portuguese municipalities, offering a critical and multi-layered perspective. The analysis reveals the various layers of the network concept, often appearing vague and diffuse. It is a floating signifier disputed by different discourses and embodied by different meanings. This, in turn, brings major research problems linked to the use of the concept of network in education.     

Contextos de crianza y educación de los niños españoles menores de seis años

Resumen

El estudio de los contextos en que los niños crecen y se desarrollan suele adoptar una perspectiva microscópica en la que un aspecto concreto de un determinado contexto es analizado en profundidad. Este trabajo presenta un enfoque diferente, tratando de describir desde una visión macroscópica cuáles son los contextos de desarrollo y educación de los niños españoles menores de 6 años. En él se pasa revista a la historia de la educación preescolar en España, a diversos datos demográficos, a los tipos de cuidado y educación que los menores de 6 años reciben en España y a la población afectada por cada uno de ellos, analizándose también las tendencias en la investigación y los problemas que el futuro parece plantear en este terreno.     

Orientación a la familia sobre la estimulación precoz del niño ciego

RESUMEN

En este artículo se presenta un modelo de intervención temprana en el medio familiar del niño ciego. Se elaboró un programa de estimulación para un niño ciego de menos de dos años, que incluía el desarrollo de aspectos como autonomía personal, destreza manual, movilidad y orientación, desarrollo cognoscitivo, lenguaje, y sociabilidad y juegos. El programa fue llevado a cabo por los padres con las orientaciones metodológicas adecuadas. De los datos obtenidos y de la observación de la conducta del niño se deduce un sensible progreso en su desarrollo. Factores concomitantes que influyeron en este progreso fueron el interés de los padres, la capacidad de aprendizaje del niño y la confianza de los padres al sentirse apoyados por un especialista.