BRIDGING WORLDS: MEASURING LEARNERS�� DISCURSIVE PRACTICE IN A PARTSIM SUPPORTED BIOLOGY LESSON

We report on a case study that took place in a southwestern culturally and linguistically diverse urban high school science classroom during a grade recovery summer session. The introduction of a technology-infused unit on epidemiology engaged students in a multi-contextual exploration of the spread of diseases. The analysis of the resultant classroom discourse centers on connections made and identities expressed by the students (as students, social beings, avatars, and scientists), with particular attention to how these students use language to bridge worlds (the participatory simulation world, the classroom world, the ‘real’ world (outside the classroom), and the laboratory (science) world). The results indicate that including a participatory technology tool supported students’ learning journey. Specifically, students built on a shared virtual experience in ways that helped them to draw and expand on prior experiences well beyond the classroom in the service of developing science understanding.     

Machine learning for human learners: opportunities,issues, tensions and threats

Educational technology research and development - Machine learning systems are infiltrating our lives and are beginning to become important in our education systems. This article, developed from a...     

A systematic review of environmental interventions to improve child language outcomes for children with or at risk of primary language impairment

Systematic reviews are important as a key source of information for commissioners and for developing practice in speech and language therapy (SLT) and early years. Interventions in this field are often complex and are delivered in community settings. This paper applies a systematic review of environmental interventions in early years for children with speech, language and communication needs. Interventions for primary language impairment may be divided into those which are child-focused and those which are focused on the environment. In both cases, the aim is to effect changes in the child's language skills. The paper introduces the context of evidence-based practice and commissioning of such interventions and argues that systematic reviews may be combined with other evidence to provide information which is fit for purpose for commissioners and for practitioners in the field.     

The work–family support roles of child care providers across settings

This paper presents a qualitative investigation of the work–family support roles of a sample of 29 child care providers serving low-income families in the Chicago area (16 family, friend, and neighbor providers (FFN), 7 licensed family child care providers (FCC), and 6 center-based teachers). Providers report offering low-income parents substantial logistical (flexible hours, help with routines) and economic help (flexible fees, help with subsidies) managing work and family, in addition to their care of children. For FFN providers, support was often provided in the context of significant stress and burden. FCC providers and center-based teachers were often constrained in their help-giving by ambivalence regarding professional guidelines and institutional constraints. Findings from this study may inform future research on the effects of child care on children and parents, and models of child care quality.     

Beliefs and Attitudes of Primary School Teachers in Mumbai,India Towards Children Who Stutter

Beliefs and attitudes of teachers in Mumbai, India, towards children who stutter were investigated using questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Questionnaires were completed by 58 teachers, four of whom were subsequently interviewed. Results from the questionnaires showed that teachers believed that a child’s environment influenced stuttering and that children who stuttered had the potential to overcome the condition. They did not agree that children who stuttered were quiet and shy. Two global themes emerged from the interviews. These were teachers’ philosophies about stuttering, and their perceived roles in supporting children who stutter. All teachers reported limited experience of children who stutter, but their responses indicated a desire to do their best to support such children in the classroom. Stuttering was, however, considered to be less important to teachers’ working lives than dyslexia.     

Picture preferences of children and young adults

The authors offer definitions of six types of illustrations and report a study of student preference for those picture styles. Generally, their subjects, 380 students in grades K, 1, 2, 3, 5, 9, and 11, preferred photographs, with realistic drawings ranked second. But there were significant differences between sexes and age groups. This study was supported by the Faculty-In-Aid Program of Virginia Commonwealth University. Statistical advice was given by David F. Bauer.