Teaching with new technology: four ‘early majority’ teachers

This paper explores how four good teachers, who do not have a special interest in technology, meet the challenge of introducing the rapidly developing mathematics analysis software (e.g. spreadsheets, function graphers, symbolic algebra manipulation and dynamic geometry) into their classrooms. These teachers’ practice is viewed through the lens of Roger’s framework for the diffusion of innovation and Pierce and Stacey’s pedagogical opportunities map. Data on teachers, views and practices were collected over 2 years. ‘Pedagogical Maps’ give a picture of the teachers’ perception and uptake of pedagogical opportunities. New practices have been added slowly to each teacher’s repertoire and their increasing fluency in practical ability to teach with the technology resulted in some changes to the classroom didactic contract. Overall, new technology seemed to have been absorbed into current practice, more than changing practice. At this stage of their development, these teachers do not identify the distinctive new mathematical capabilities as contributing to the major relative advantage of the innovation. Instead, they see the relative advantage mostly in the incremental improvements to capabilities of earlier calculators, and meeting the need for students to be up to date. One of the current challenges is that significant changes in both software and hardware design have been happening so rapidly that these early majority teachers felt almost constantly hampered by the need to learn and teach new technical skills and so continue to make limited progress in taking advantage of opportunities to approach mathematics concepts in new ways.     

A snapshot of the student experience: exploring student satisfaction through the use of photographic elicitation

Student satisfaction is both an important and yet controversial issue within the higher education sector, which is typically measured through policy-driven metrics such as the National Student Survey. However, less is understood about the qualities of a satisfying student experience ‘as lived’ from the perspective of the student, thus questioning the adequacy of such measures. In response to this, the current study used student-driven photographic elicitation as a means of more adequately capturing the holistic student experience. This entailed nine final-year undergraduate psychology students who each gathered a series of photos, which formed the basis for discussion in an interview. Thematic analysis of the narratives of the interview discussions revealed several main themes surrounding their experiences. These were: ‘Learning Environment’, ‘Work–Life Balance’ and ‘Wider University Community’. Findings are discussed with reference to the implications of student satisfaction, and national metrics used for measuring it, for institutional policies of recruitment and retention.     

Students perceptions on the long-range value of information literacy instruction through a learning community

Whereas academic library participation in learning communities has become visible in recent years, the literature is still lacking research studies providing assessment data. This article offers the first perspective from students on the value of information literacy instruction through a learning community and the impact that instruction has on academic careers. A qualitative research method of focus group interviews was employed to solicit opinions from students who completed during a three-year period the University of Hawaii at Manoa's (UHM) Libraries, Scholarship, and Technology (LIS 100) learning community course. The findings indicate learning communities provide a valuable context for learning both affective and cognitive information literacy skills necessary in an undergraduate education.     

Carving the Information Literacy Niche Within Graduate Employability

A teacher fellow project at De Montfort University explored the context and practicalities of developing a Graduate Skills Licence (Information Literacy) in answer to the current higher education drive for graduate employability. Research revealed the hidden complexities behind the development of an originally simple notion. It provided scope to create a research informed self-evaluation grid of information literacy skills. It highlighted the need for a multi-agency approach, forging new connections to achieve employability. Practice at other institutions is considered. Librarians have both a key role and a new opportunity to place themselves at the heart of contemporary higher education issues.     

Developing Signalong Indonesia: issues of happiness and pedagogy,training and stigmatisation

Signalong Indonesia (SI), a key word signing approach, was created to support the development of Indonesian inclusive schools. A mixed methods approach collected data about teacher’s beliefs and experiences regarding SI from the first two schools to pilot it. Thirty-two teachers completed questionnaires, followed by interviews with nine teachers. Three themes emerged: understanding the nature of SI, the stigmatisation of signers and its reporting by teachers, and the nature of happiness in inclusive pedagogy. The latter reveals, for the first time, the importance of Suka as a culturally mediated intrinsic part of Indonesian inclusive pedagogy. The findings suggest recommendations about SI materials and training, and indicate a new research area regarding inclusive pedagogies within different cultures.     

Beyond automation and control: Manufacturing information systems from a strategic perspective

This paper reviews the application of computer-based information systems for manufacturing, which has found a lack of strategic orientation. Critical factors for a strategic-oriented information system, i.e. external information scanning, data refining and information reporting, are discussed. A strategic-oriented system model that incorporates information scanning-refining-reporting into manufacturing automation and control systems is proposed. A case study of a corporate strategic information processing system in a UK company is explored. Limitations of the study and suggestions for future research are made.