Queer will: hikikomori as willful subjects

This article considers hikikomori as willful subjects. The hikikomori are a portion of the Japanese population who withdraw into their homes. These are mostly young people (between the ages of 15 and 35) and mostly young men. The focus of this article is how hikikomori constitute a challenge to dominant national imaginaries of Japan as a “corporate-family system.” This article analyses popular media and psychiatric representations of hikikomori, particularly from Saitô’s work as exemplifying Ahmed’s notion of “willful subjects.” It is argued that the hikikomori’s apparent willfulness produces them as Queer subjects who are out of place and pace with the dominant heteronormative, masculinist culture of contemporary Japan.     

Supporting teachers in making innovative changes in the use of computer‐aided practical work to support concept development in physics education

There continues to be a gulf between what have been identified from the literature as the potential benefits of using computer‐aided practical work and the difficulties of realizing them as reported by practising teachers, even from those who are committed to the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). This article reports on a pilot study that aimed to explore ways in which teachers could be supported as they explore the extent to which this approach could enhance the development of pupils’ understanding of physics concepts. The study was based on a collaborative partnership between a researcher and a classroom teacher. The indications are that there is the potential for considerable benefits from such an approach, with the need for further development of materials and teaching methods being identified.     

Improving science teaching practices

A review of research relating to the problem of using research findings to improve classroom practice is presented. There are two aspects to this problem: familiarizing teachers with relevant research and identifying an aspect of teaching that needs to be improved. Research conducted in local settings appears to have most relevance to teachers and is more likely to be accepted by them. Studies indicate that research can have an impact on practice as long as teachers are involved in identification of problems in their class and are provided with a context in which they can learn the strategies to be implemented and understand why they are likely to improve teaching. Teachers need opportunities to practice teaching in peer groups where errors can be made without jeopardizing student learning; receive performance feedback; practice the strategies in their own classes; observe others teach; and discuss teaching with others. Strategy analysis, coaching and peer coaching are techniques which enable most of these criteria to be met and to facilitate science teaching improvement.     

USING FOCUS GROUPS AS AN EDUCATIONAL METHODOLOGY: DECONSTRUCTING STEREOTYPES AND SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE MISCONCEPTIONS CONCERNING AGING AND OLDER ADULTS

During the coming years the number of older adults will increase dramatically, which will require a corresponding increase in the number of social workers who have accurate knowledge of this population. This article reports the impact focus groups with older adults and with service providers who work with older adults and their families have on baccalaureate social work (BSW) students. We find that BSW students exposed to focus groups have their negative attitudes about older adults and service providers deconstructed and replaced with more positive and accurate information about older adults. When students' misconceptions about older adults are confronted, they become more interested in choosing geriatric social work as a career option.     

The special magic of the eighties: Shaping words and shape-shifting words

She has a Master's degree in children's literature and a Ph.D. in Australian literature. One of her particular research interests is in teaching literature to ESL students.