Civic Education and the Rise of Populist Nationalism

Belief in the fundamental importance of civic education for democracy has been long-standing. But if educators can agree that schools have an essential role to play in preparing students for informed engagement in civic and political life, they cannot seem to agree on what that means. The very same efforts that are applauded by some are viewed as misguided by others. The result for schoolchildren has been a mostly watered-down notion of civics that emphasizes good character and patriotism over critical thinking and engaging with multiple perspectives. At the same time, the number of young people worldwide now willing to entertain nondemocratic forms of government is on the rise. For example, nearly a quarter of U.S. youth aged 16 to 24 believe that democracy is a “bad” or “very bad” way of governing. About 70% of millennials do not think it is essential to live in a country governed by democratic rule of law. This article examines the ideological tensions that underlie civic education policies and practice in a time of rising populist support for anti-democratic forms of governance.     

Educational neoliberalization: the mediatization of ethical assertions in the voucher debate

ABSTRACT

This study focuses on the evolving ethical claims and empirical evidence being advanced within U.S. media relating to voucher-style programs. As such, the research seeks to better understand how and why these policies proliferate, despite scant evidence recommending them. Our specific media focus reflects the recognition that issues, problems, and solutions are defined and set within ‘ethical’ frameworks through the media, often in efforts to influence the polity. Framed by the concept of ‘neoliberalization’, the analysis notes dominant discourses and activities by both advocates and opponents around the issue. Specifically, the research reveals shifting ethical assertions. Media-based ‘choice for all’ advocacy, and support of generalized parent choice/empowerment via voucher reforms, have become more prominent, while advocacy related to expanding choice for the disadvantaged has receded (though with certain high-profile exceptions). Meanwhile, opponents engage in what sometimes appears as more reactionary, though still active, media participation in seeking to challenge such reforms.     

Excellence through Special Education? Lessons from the Finnish School Reform

The present article focuses on connections between part-time special education and the good results of Finnish students in PISA studies. After a brief summary of the comprehensive school system and special education in Finland, PISA results are analysed. The analysis shows that the relative amount of special education targeted at language problems is highest in Finland among those countries from which comparative statistics are available. The writers argue that this preventive language-oriented part-time special education is an important factor behind the good PISA results.     

Keywords and vocabulary acquisition: Some words of caution about Johnson,Adams, and Bruning (1985)

The mnemonic keyword study of Johnson, Adams, and Bruning (1985) is critiqued for its errors of both omission and commission. Of particular concern is the issue of literature currency vis-a-vis the authors’ stated rationale for conducting the study, as well as a number of methodological issues associated with the study’s implementation. The reader is advised to exercise caution in reconciling the study’s results with conflicting mnemonic findings that have been well-established over the past decade. Preparation of this article was supported in part by a grant to the first author from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, and to the second author from the National Institute of Education through the Wisconsin Center for Education Research. Requests for reprints should be addressed to Michael Pressley, Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5C2.     

Mentoring as Socialization for the Educational Leadership Professoriate: A Collaborative Autoethnography

In this study, we analyzed the experiences of an educational leadership doctoral student and aspirant to the professoriate (protégé) and an educational leadership professor (mentor) during our two-year mentoring relationship. Collaborative autoethnography was employed, and our analysis relied primarily upon a process-oriented model of mentoring. Four main themes emerged: (a) reciprocal trust, (b) experiential learning, (c) stability and change, and (d) mutual benefit. Our relationship also was marked by several critical features, and we described the timing and sequence of the socialization experience. This productive mentoring relationship offers a detailed model for doctoral students and faculty members who wish to pursue a similar relationship. From our research, we also contribute to the broader mentoring literature, in which previous researchers have rarely delved simultaneously into mentor and protégé experiences. Scholars who study mentoring will gain from insights into the manner in which anticipatory socialization unfolds, as well as critical features that emerge and evolve in the process.     

Evaluation by medical students of the educational value of multi‐material and multi‐colored three‐dimensional printed models of the upper limb for anatomical education

For centuries, cadaveric material has been the cornerstone of anatomical education. For reasons of changes in curriculum emphasis, cost, availability, expertise, and ethical concerns, several medical schools have replaced wet cadaveric specimens with plastinated prosections, plastic models, imaging, and digital models. Discussions about the qualities and limitations of these alternative teaching resources are on‐going. We hypothesize that three‐dimensional printed (3DP) models can replace or indeed enhance existing resources for anatomical education. A novel multi‐colored and multi‐material 3DP model of the upper limb was developed based on a plastinated upper limb prosection, capturing muscles, nerves, arteries and bones with a spatial resolution of ～1 mm. This study aims to examine the educational value of the 3DP model from the learner's point of view. Students (n = 15) compared the developed 3DP models with the plastinated prosections, and provided their views on their learning experience using 3DP models using a survey and focus group discussion. Anatomical features in 3DP models were rated as accurate by all students. Several positive aspects of 3DP models were highlighted, such as the color coding by tissue type, flexibility and that less care was needed in the handling and examination of the specimen than plastinated specimens which facilitated the appreciation of relations between the anatomical structures. However, students reported that anatomical features in 3DP models are less realistic compared to the plastinated specimens. Multi‐colored, multi‐material 3DP models are a valuable resource for anatomical education and an excellent adjunct to wet cadaveric or plastinated prosections. Anat Sci Educ 11: 54–64. © 2017 American Association of Anatomists.     

Mismatched pictures and children’s prose learning

In a series of three major experiments and two smaller studies, the effects of mismatched pictures on children’s prose learning were studied. In general, although matched pictures increased learning of both prose that was heard and prose that was read, the presence of pictures mismatched to the prose they accompanied had little negative impact on cued recall. This research was supported by a grant to Michael Pressley from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. Joel R. Levin’s participation was supported by a grant to the Wisconsin Center for Education Research from the National Institute of Education. California State University, Fullerton, provided support for the pilot study. The cooperation of the London, Ontario, and the Middlesex County, Ontario, public school boards and the Sault St. Marie separate school board is gratefully acknowledged; special appreciation is extended to Dr. Richard Stennett and Mr. A. Hull. The parochial schools of Fullerton, Calif., assisted during the pilot phases of these studies. The authors are grateful to Professor Dale Willows for making available her materials for Experiments 3 and 3A. Reprints may be requested from the first author at the Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C2 Canada.