Impacts of the National Green Corps Program (Eco‐Clubs) on students in India and their participation in environmental education activities

India’s National Green Corps (NGC) Eco‐Clubs are a unique opportunity to educate youth about environmental issues. NGC objectives include: (1) educate children about their immediate environment by increasing awareness; (2) impart knowledge about eco‐systems, their interdependence and need for survival, through visits and demonstrations; (3) mobilize youth by instilling a spirit of scientific inquiry into environmental problems; and (4) involve youth in active environmental preservation efforts. In 2005–2006, Eco‐Clubs existed in nearly 68,000 schools across India representing 150 Eco‐Clubs per district. During the 2007–2008 school year, the number of Eco‐Clubs increased to approximately 97,000 in 519 districts. The purpose of the study reported here was to document and evaluate the effectiveness of Eco‐Clubs and assess their organizational framework. An extensive document review of secondary data was employed and focus group interviews were conducted in two locations. Findings show that the partnership programs developed by schools with non‐governmental organizations to propel the Eco‐Club concept forward have contributed greatly to their ability to provide ongoing, quality programs for students. Recommendations include directing different agencies to work cohesively towards program success, clarifying the future NGC vision, and addressing existing operational shortcomings.     

Vertrauen im Bildungsverbund

Educational networks constitute a new way of governance, which aims at collaborating on current challenges in the educational system. Such networks are based on the social relationships of their members, whereby trust is of particular relevance. In this article, we focus on this interpersonal trust within an educational network and take a first step towards an empirically grounded theory on dimensions of trust in a multi-organizational coalition. To that end, we analyze semi-structured interviews with a total of 21 actors of an exemplary educational network. The interviews were mainly focused on the interviewees’ network relationships. These relationships were analyzed by means of Grounded Theory using the data analysis software MAXQDA. Our analyses resulted in a theory of five dimensions of trust: (1) individual attitude, (2) time, (3) organizational and issue-specific proximity, (4) power, and (5) multiplexity. These dimensions represent an approximation of a better understanding of trustful relations in educational networks and have to be verified in further – particularly representative – studies for their validity.     

从学生评语的变迁透视学生评价实践中的话语裂缝现象

解释学认为,学生评语是在判断学生一个阶段的学习情况时,评价主体被赋予权力用以建构话语并以文本的形式对其进行解释的表达手段,是对学生全面成长状态化的质性评价。所以话语建构和文本解释是学生评语的核心,也是衡量学生评语有效性的基础。然而曾几何时,学生评语却陷入了“几家欢喜几家愁,想说爱你不容易”的尴尬境地。由此,本文针对学生评价中以学生评语为代表所呈现的话语裂缝现象进行相应的分析。     

Cultural map of Finland 2007: analysing cultural differences using multiple correspondence analysis

This paper explores the patterns of cultural consumption in Finland using data collected in 2007 from a randomly selected sample of 3,000 persons. This is an explanatory study employing Multiple Correspondence Analysis as a method to map the cultural consumption patterns in Finland. The paper refers to a number of previous studies addressing the same issue in Denmark and particularly the UK in an attempt to place the results within a comparison framework. The main argument of this paper is not simply that within socio-economic groups there is a preference for similar culture, but that cultural preferences follow a structure over different domains that can be detected without reference to socio-economic factors. As a result of the analysis, two dimensions of the MCA solution are found, which represent differentiations between high engagement in culture versus disengagement and contemporary versus traditional forms of culture. These dimensions are very similar to the dimensions found in the UK, even if the placement of individual cultural activities varies somewhat. The applicability of the Bourdieusian approach to cultural differences between classes, as well as recent critical developments of the theory of distinction, will be discussed in light of the results.     

Reflection as a core student learning activity in higher education - Insights from nearly two decades of academic development

ABSTRACT

Experiential learning (EL) has great potential to prepare students to work on interdisciplinary and global challenges across traditional boundaries, as well as support them in the development of reflective skills. In this study, we explore reflection as a central element for EL in the university wide interdisciplinary course Experts in Teamwork (EiT). Based upon 17 years of experience with the development of EiT, perspectives from the literature, and critically analyzing current practices, we describe two key findings from this ongoing exploration: the need to develop a framework for such a course and the need for training of teaching staff.     

Correction to: The role of self-efficacy for self-regulated learning,achievement goals,and engagement in academic cheating

European Journal of Psychology of Education - This study examined the relationships between motivational beliefs, defined as self-efficacy for self-regulated learning and achievement goals,...     

Drawing in Preschools: A Didactic Experience

To be understood, visually, often depends on how skilled one is in catching form and translating it into a two‐dimensional surface. This is a challenge we are confronted with early in life. Children's learning strategies in drawing are not always understood or encouraged. This article presents a socio‐cultural analysis from Norway of a pedagogical practice that attempts to shed light on the question, How does the preschool teacher support 3–5 year old children when they are drawing something they see, and how do children in this age group respond to this support?