School visits to zoos and museums: a missed educational opportunity?

Recent studies in exhibitions have begun to consider the cognitive content of the ‘dialogue’ between visitor and exhibit designer. Such studies have focused on the leisure visitor and not on organised school visits. The study reported here compares the conversational content of primary school and family visitors at the London Zoo and the Natural History Museum, London. The data show that there are common features to the children's interactions with animal exhibits and that the content of the conversations varies little between family groups and school groups both within an institution and between institutions. The lack of any marked distinction between school and family visitors strongly suggests that schools are failing to make effective use of the educational potential of zoos. Secondly, the findings of this study are important in pointing to the features of animal exhibits to which children, and their accompanying adults, attend. The data suggest that there is a gulf between the level of knowledge and understanding visitors bring to the exhibits and the message that the museums and zoos may wish to communicate. It is suggested that more successful education will only be achieved when museums and zoos give more credence to understanding what the visitor already does, or does not, know.     

好大学理念与大学文化建设

“好大学”是一个价值概念,是一个可为更多大学提供参照的发展目标,也是校长治校的目标和依据。从反映大学本质属性的大学文化的角度看,好大学应具有理想主义的大学精神、高品位的人文环境和科学的大学制度。三者形成一个以精神文化为核心,制度文化居中,环境文化处外的同心圆,共同成为建设好大学的基本要素。     

Multimedia and Online Video Case Studies for Preservice Teacher Preparation

Case studies have been used successfully as a part of teacher education. There are many possibilities in extending the impact of case studies through the use of technology. Video and the Internet could enable demonstration of more examples, dissemination beyond the walls of the classroom, and discussion between geographically dispersed preservice teachers. Several projects are now investigating the possible ways that technology might enhance or extend text case studies. After exploring four existing products, four essential elements for video case studies are proposed. As video case studies move to the Internet, additional issues arise and these are also explored.     

‘We do not wish to be sofa cushions,or even props to men,but we wish to work by their side’: celebrating women as popular educators at the Anglican Church congresses 1881–1913

ABSTRACT

The Anglican Church congresses sought to foster relations between clergy and lay people. They promoted the Church as part of the social fabric of the nation with parades, civic receptions, services and public talks. Women were a presence at the congresses as platform speakers, organisers, hostesses and members of the audience. Congresses provided opportunities for informal collaborations and networking between organisations including the National Union of Women Workers, Mothers’ Union and Girls’ Friendly Society. Dedicated women’s sections from 1881 provided a space that was exploited by women activists seeking a voice in the public sphere. The congresses reflected a context of increasing professionalisation amongst women. This article celebrates the contribution made by women in the role of popular educators via congress platforms between 1882 and 1913. In addition, the article seeks to commemorate the unvoiced presence of working class women who engaged with the congresses as members of the audience.     

Developing identity and agency as an early career academic: lessons from Alice

This paper draws on Lewis Carroll’s character of Alice as a metaphor for interrogating identity construction and agency amongst early career academics, a process which can seem like Alice’s pursuit of the White Rabbit in a strange land. Keeping in mind the effects of neoliberalism on the tertiary sector, we recognise the centrality of personal lives in decision-making about academic careers and the shaping of professional identities. We also foreground how communities of practice not only build agency amongst ECAs but can also be supported by academic developers.     

Are computers an important learning resource?

Sue Haugland is Professor at Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, MO.     

Maintaining an anti-bias curriculum

Sue Haugland is with Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, MO.     

在大学入学考试中增加心理测试的构想

考试在中国有着悠久的历史渊源。随着中国历史的变迁,从两千多年前“考试”一词的出现,经历了多少次的变化,直到今天的考试制度的建立。今天的考试制度,就以有代表性的高等学校入学资格考试而论,当然不能认为是尽善尽美的,但它却承担着为国家选拔专业人才和评价教育质量的重任,并且也在不断地改革完善中。考试是工具、是方法,工具是无可指责的,关键在于怎样用它。我们希望它能发挥更积极更广泛的作用,提出了在高等学校入学考试中增加心理测验的构想。