Categorising computer science education research

The interdisciplinary nature of Computer Science Education as a field of study is a complicating factor when authors are choosing appropriate journals and conferences for publishing research results. This paper reports a survey of 42 such publications in order to identify the types of paper frequently accepted for publication in each. We review existing taxonomies developed for the general fields of Computer Science and Education, and from this starting point, we develop a novel faceted taxonomy, specifically aimed to help new researchers in the field understand what types of papers are published and where they appear. Our results confirm previous studies indicating the predominance of practice-based, technology-driven reports. We also observe certain differences in educational themes between those found in publications grounded in the Computer Science Education corpus and those emerging from more general Higher Education literature.     

Learning to talk: community support and views of parents from socially disadvantaged families

Part of a multimethod ethnographic study that aimed to explore the knowledge of local parents concerning children learning to talk is described. The study was carried out with parents from several different ethnic and language groups in a socially disadvantaged part of Sheffield, a large city in the northeast of England.
In the phase of the study reported here, parents (either English, Urdu/Punjabi and Arabic speakers) took part in interviews, as well as contributing to the validation of the project. This study found that parents from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds living in this socially disadvantaged area, believed learning to talk to be very important and that family, community, including faith community, and professionals, have roles in promoting learning to talk. They indicated that local community groups, including faith communities, could play a positive role in supporting and developing their knowledge.
This paper will be of interest to those seeking innovative ways to support parents in socially excluded communities, particularly parents of children learning to talk, and so contribute to better outcomes for children, families and communities. It also contributes to our understanding of the development of parental knowledge about learning to talk in socially disadvantaged communities.     

Implementing the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (DESD): achievements, open questions and strategies for the way forward

This paper looks at the implementation of the DESD from a global perspective. It takes the position that quality education is fundamental for learning how to live sustainably, and that the DESD needs to be better positioned in the education landscape and conceived as a global social movement that must be fostered and nurtured for the well-being of humankind. It suggests that, while there has been progress, much remains to be achieved. Several key challenges are identified. With regard to overcoming these obstacles, it focuses on macro-level strategies that would allow the development of environments in which actions can take root and grow so that the work of the DESD endures beyond the decade itself. Finally, it suggests that there are some opportunities that can be seized to make the task ahead easier to accomplish.     

The Academic Influence of Mentoring Upon African American Undergraduate Aspirants to the Professoriate

In this study, I examine academic influences of the Committee on Institutional Cooperation Summer Research Opportunity Program’s mentoring component. Interviews with African American undergraduate student participants of the faculty–student mentoring initiative suggest mentorship’s influence upon the academic experiences of participants and illustrate the importance of faculty-directed research in preparing racial minorities for graduate education.     

E-Master of Marketing: Phase 2 in Transnational Marketing Education

A previous article in Higher Education in Europe (Vol. 24, No. 2, 1999), by three of the authors of the present article, outlined the beginnings of an on-line course, "Marketing Theory and Practice" (MTP), offered by the Department of Marketing of Monash University in Australia. It noted the opportunities such a development presented in terms of collaboration. Following the successful introduction of MTP on-line (http://www.buseco.monash.edu.au/Subjects/MKT/ MTPonline/) into the undergraduate programme, the project team applied for a significant funding grant to implement a department-wide strategy for the electronic delivery of marketing education. This implementation includes the development of an E-Master's degree in Marketing, details of which are discussed in this article.     

Investigation of functional literacy and job-skills used in clerical workplace settings

This paper presents the findings of a study on the functional literacy and job-skills used by clerical workers in a variety of work situations. The study focused on the employees' own perceptions of their tasks. The results revealed three main requirements for successful performance of clerical work: (1) the possession of requisite knowledge and the ability to apply it; (2) thinking skills; (3) the ability to manage oneself and others. None of these capacities was sufficient on its own. The authors argue that the study has important implications for vocational education and training and for easing the transition from school to work.

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Zusammenfassung Dieser Artikel präsentiert die Ergebnisse einer Studie über funktionale Alphabetisierung und Berufskenntnisse, die Büroangestellte in unterschiedlichen Arbeitssituationen benötigen. Die Studie konzentriert sich auf die eigenen Wahrnehmungen der Angestellten ihrer Aufgaben. Drei Hauptanforderungen für eine erfolgreiche Bewältigung der Büroarbeit wurden identifiziert: 1. fundiertes Wissen und die Fähigkeit zur Anwendung, 2. die Fähigkeit, mitzudenken, 3. die Fähigkeit, sich selbst und andere zu organisieren. Keine dieser Kapazitäten ist ohne die anderen ausreichend. Der Autorinnen argumentieren, daß diese Studie sich wesentlich auf Berufsbildung und Fortbildung auswirken und den Übergang von der Schule zum Arbeitsplatz erleichtern kann.

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Resumen El trabajo presenta los resultados de un estudio realizado sobre la capacidad funcional de leer y escribir y sobre las habilidades laborales aplicadas por empleados en una variedad de situaciones de trabajo. El estudio se concentraba en las propias percepciones de los empleados en cuanto a sus cometidos. Los resultados revelaron tres principales requisitos para el desempeño exitoso del trabajo de oficina: (1) la posesión de los conocimientos requeridos y la capacidad de aplicarlos; (2) habilidades intelectuales; (3) la capacidad de gestionarse a sí mismo y a los demás. Ninguna de estas capacidades era suficiente por sí misma. El autor sostiene que el estudio tiene consecuencias importantes para la educación y la formación vocacional y para facilitar la transición del colegio al trabajo.

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Résumé Cet article présente les résultats d'une étude sur l'alphabétisation fonctionnelle et les compétences professionnelles des employés de bureau dans diverses situations de travail. L'étude met l'accent sur la perception qu'ont les employés de leurs tâches. Les résultats révèlent trois conditions principales pour la réussite dans le travail de bureau: (1) la maîtrise des connaissances requises; (2) l'aptitude à la réflexion; (3) des capacités d'autonomie et relationnelles. Aucune de ces conditions ne se suffit à elle-même. Les auteurs soutiennent que l'étude a des répercussions importantes sur réduction et la formation professionnelles, pouvant faciliter la transition entre l'école et le monde du travail.

     

Child abuse treated in a psychiatric day hospital

Actuarial, medical and social data are reported on 50 psychiatric day hospital patients known to have abused their children and 50 non-abusers undergoing treatment at the same time. A sub-group of 30 of each completed personality and intelligence tests and the majority had electroencephalograms, and these results were compared with those of a group of 30 healthy mothers selected by health visitors for positive child-rearing abilities.Findings which confirms those of other studies of child abuse include youthfulness, a higher incidence of family violence from childhood onwards, more unplanned pregnancies and lower intelligence in the index group. In this sample, however, all social classes were represented, there was no significant differences in perinatal pathology between the groups, personality scored showed high morbidity in the patient groups but few distinctive features, and EEGs were not significantly more abnormal in the index group than in the two contrast groups. Moreover, the index group did not show the expected discrepancy between verbal and performance sub-tests on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale.Treatment of the 50 child-abusers with their children resulted in a re-injury rate of 8% during the four year period of study. A scheme for early identification and prevention is outlined.     

Incorporating technologies into a flexible teaching space

Higher education institutions are increasingly exploring how they can use emerging technologies to develop and enhance the learning experiences offered to students. These activities have mainly focused on developing student‐centred facilities. The University of Warwick has taken the next step by developing a space (the Teaching Grid) specifically designed to meet the needs of teaching staff across the institution. This paper describes how the Teaching Grid supports teachers by providing a flexible experimental space together with a rich collection of established and new technologies, and with comprehensive staff support. We analysed the use of the facility during the first 30 months of operation, using data collected from 119 case studies, in order to present a perspective on how they have used the technologies and how this has impacted on their teaching practice. We present a taxonomy that provides a concrete framework to support future analysis of and comparisons between such spaces.     

The Use of Communication Technology in Thailand's Political Process

Thailand's political landscape has changed dramatically during the past five years. The rapid growth of communication technology in Thailand has been instrumental in generating political participation in the national elections of 2001 and 2005. In this article we provide the results of a benchmark study that assesses the early period of this political transformation. Specifically, we examined the use of television and of the Internet for political information by interviewing 500 urban residents. Our results indicate that likely voters actively gathered political knowledge from television advertisements and political party websites. Although use of television and the Internet for political purposes did not increase direct involvement in political parties, it did promote participation in the 2001 national election. Implications of these findings for future research on the use of communication technology for political communication in Asia are discussed.     

Early years curriculum: funds of knowledge as a conceptual framework for children’s interests

Children’s interests are frequently cited as a source of early‐years curricula. Yet, research has rarely considered the nature of these interests beyond the play‐based environment of early‐childhood education. This paper reports findings from a qualitative, interpretivist study in two early childhood settings in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Using participant observation, interviews, and documentation, the study examined children’s interests and teachers’ engagement with these in curriculum interactions. Evidence suggested children’s interests were stimulated by their ‘intent participation’ in family and community experiences and encapsulated in the notion of ‘funds of knowledge’. The concept of funds of knowledge provides a coherent analytic framework for teachers to recognize children’s interests and extend teachers’ curriculum planning focus beyond that of a child‐centred play‐based learning environment.