Students’ perceptions of written feedback in teacher education: ideally feedback is a continuing two-way communication that encourages progress

A small but growing body of research has investigated students’ perceptions of written feedback in higher education but little attention has been brought to bear on students’ emotional responses to feedback. This paper investigates students’ perceptions of written feedback with particular emphasis on their emotional responses within a teacher education programme in a regional Australian university. Online questionnaires were used to gather qualitative data from cohorts of distance students and on-campus students. The study found that students’ emotions strongly mediated their perceptions of written feedback. The paper concludes that in order to accommodate students’ emotional responses, effective written feedback should be aligned with pedagogies which specifically include the development of rich dialogue within the teaching and learning context.     

Cost and competition in the adoption of satellite news gathering technology

This study finds that many local stations subscribe to satellite news networks to obtain material for news broadcasts but that the high cost of satellite news gathering vehicles stops most from obtaining such vehicles. The study also finds that intensity of competition in the local market is a primary reason for acquiring such equipment.     

Zoology Students' Experiences of Collaborative Enquiry in Problem-based Learning

This paper presents an action-research case study that focuses on experiences of collaboration in a problem-based learning (PBL) course in Zoology. Our PBL model was developed as a research activity in partnership with a commercial organisation. Consequently, learning was grounded in genuine situations of practice in which a high degree of collaboration was essential for a successful outcome. A particular social context was established in which tutors and students endeavoured to interact as learners to negotiate and construct new understandings and develop life-long learning skills. Students valued the quality of working relationships, the democratic way in which group work was facilitated, and the opportunities for freedom of action and thought. During the course, participants achieved new insights into themselves as learners and this meta-cognitive skill was seen as important for developing the necessary competence in diagnostic self-assessment for PBL. Students had not previously encountered PBL and the transitional nature of their experiences is discussed.     

Public knowledge: public education: Northland Secondary College versus the State

Large‐scale cuts to the education budget were a primary focus for the newly elected State Liberal party in Victoria, Australia in 1992. Northland Secondary College, a Melbourne urban school of 474 students, had been selected for closure. Northland had long defined itself as a ‘community school’, with a strong commitment to and success in meeting the needs of Aboriginal (Koori) students. This local community reacted strongly to news of closure, and for a period of two years resisted the full weight of the State through a series of course procedures, and public defiance. During this period, Northland maintained a Rebel School conducted by volunteer teachers. The school and local community sought to expand the concept of accountability as defined by the State. They directly challenged the increasing trend towards centralizing, and what they perceived as the homogenization of the curriculum. At the heart of core concerns to the school community was a deep commitment to maintain and participate in decisions defining important educational knowledge. It was a staunch defence of local needs. The present corporate model of administrative governance directing State schooling proved inadequate in dealing with the plurality and hybridity of this modern community, and, in particular, one inhabited with urban Aboriginal cultures.     

Student mentoring in higher education: Hong Kong Baptist University

There is a developing interest in mentoring in the educational system in Hong Kong, especially in higher education. Mentoring is looked at as a retention and enhancement strategy for undergraduate education. With the setting up of a mentoring system during the freshmen year, it is hoped that student retention can be increased and academic achievement can be promoted. The study aims to find out the current mentoring practices carried out at the Hong Kong Baptist University. Results are based upon quantitative data collected from 456 students and 79 faculty members engaging in the mentoring programme of the University Life Programme at the university in 1998. The author also conducted insight interviews into the student–mentor relationship and the problems encountered by mentors. The study focuses upon students' perspectives of an ‘effective’ mentor. The implications for resources are discussed as part of a review of the mentoring programme at the university.     

School leadership and school improvement: an examination of school readiness factors

ABSTRACT

This article reports on an investigation into the influence stemming from school leadership as an important consideration in relation to school improvement. School readiness, based on [Schiemann, W. A. 2014. “From Talent Management to Talent Optimization.” Journal of World Business 49 (2): 281–288. doi:10.1016/j.jwb.2013.11.012]. Accountability, Capability and Engagement (ACE) leadership model, was assessed through self-reported school leader behaviours, attitudes, perceptions, and school improvement attributes. To clarify, school readiness refers to how a school principal optimises staff and other school resources to best achieve school improvement agendas. School readiness survey results and student achievement outcomes for one entire school district were analysed, indicating that school readiness did indeed impact student achievement. Findings reveal a need for school leaders to focus more clearly on overall school alignment and optimisation behaviours, and these are discussed in relation to specific leadership recommendations and how leadership can better support and encourage school improvement in terms of educational accountability.     

Providing Time for School‐Based Curriculum Development

This paper reports the evaluation of teacher appraisal in schools within one local education authority. The study is based on interviews conducted with 40 teachers during the period November 1993 to March 1994. These interviews paint a positive picture of teacher appraisal. The overwhelming majority of the teachers interviewed felt they had been well trained to take part in the appraisal process, and that their experience of appraisal had been positive and valuable. In general, their comments indicated that they were well satisfied with the processes and procedures that took place regarding the conduct of appraisal. At the same time, several teachers did remark on the time‐consuming nature of appraisal, and wondered whether the benefits of appraisal justified the costs involved.     

Succession planning in England: new leaders and new forms of leadership

There are concerns about the supply of head teachers in many countries. In England, this problem arises from demographic changes and the perceived difficulty of the job. The National College responded to this problem by initiating a Succession Planning programme. This article reports the main findings from the external evaluation of the programme and links them to the wider literature.     

CHILDREN'S PLAYGROUND BEHAVIOUR ACROSS FIVE YEARS OF BROADCAST TELEVISION: A NATURALISTIC STUDY IN A REMOTE COMMUNITY

3‐ to 8‐year‐olds’ free‐play behaviour was video‐recorded in two playgrounds before broadcast TV's availability in the South Atlantic island of St. Helena. Similar aged children's behaviour in the same playgrounds was recorded five years after television's arrival. Recorded behaviours were then coded for pro‐social and anti‐social acts. Out of sixty‐four pre‐lpost‐TV comparisons only nine significant shifts were found. Five revealed decreases in pro‐social behaviour (boys and girls), two showed increases in pro‐social behaviour (boys only), and the remaining two showed decreases in anti‐social behaviour (for boys only). In the discussion, particular environmental factors are highlighted which may help determine whether learned aggression (from TV and elsewhere) is enacted.     

TV‐VIOLENCE EFFECTS: EXCEPTIONALLY VULNERABLE VIEWERS?

From time to time, studies of links between youngsters’ television viewing habits and their social behaviour suggest pointers which may help identify those prone to ill‐effects from exposure to television programming.

This article refers to some of this research, before linking these pointers to the viewing habits of exceptional children (especially those with significant difficulties in their social and emotional behaviour). The article then makes cursory reference to initiatives designed to help safeguard young viewers from deleterious effects of television‐viewing.