Vexing questions that sustain sensemaking

Current science education reforms highlight the importance of students making sense of scientific ideas. While research has studied how to support sensemaking in classrooms, we still know very little about what drives students to pursue and persist in it on their own. In this article, we use a set of parallel case studies of undergraduate students discussing introductory physics to show how certain student-generated, vexing questions both initiate and sustain students' sensemaking processes. We examine affective and linguistic markers in student discourse in paired-clinical interviews to demonstrate both of these functions of vexing questions and detail their role in the explanations students construct. We conclude by discussing the implications of this analysis both for supporting sensemaking in classrooms and for studying it in research.     

Analysis and design of quadratic parameter varying (QPV) control systems with polytopic attractive region

This paper proposes a gain-scheduling approach for systems with a quadratic structure. Both the stability analysis and the state-feedback controller design problems are considered for quadratic parameter varying (QPV) systems. The developed approach assesses/enforces the belonging of a polytopic region of the state space to the region of attraction of the origin, and relies on a linear matrix inequality (LMI) feasibility problem. The main characteristics of the proposed approach are illustrated by means of examples, which confirm the validity of the theoretical results.     

Understanding educational transfer: theoretical perspectives and conceptual frameworks

Educational transfer is an important and growing body of literature in the field of comparative education. Work from the last decade has focused on the stages of the borrowing cycle, and the context, causes and rationales for education borrowing. This recent work has contributed to earlier research on the role of multilateral organizations in education development and transfer. Rather than reviewing in comprehensive detail the substance, agents or mechanisms of educational transfer, this paper provides an overview of the field’s main theoretical lenses and conceptual frameworks, focusing on the stages, processes and forms of educational transfer. Throughout the paper we link related literature from disciplines other than education to account for education policy changes. The paper concludes with a discussion of future lines of research on educational transfer.

Autonomy Support and its Links to Physical Activity and Competitive Performance: Mediations Through Motivation,Competence, Action Orientation and Harmonious Passion,and the Moderator Role of Autonomy Support by Perceived Competence

The purpose of the present study was to test a Self‐Determination Theory (SDT) process model in relation to involvement in physical activity and competitive performance among students (N = 190). In this model, perceived autonomy support from teachers and coaches was expected to be positively related to autonomous motivation, perceived competence, harmonious passion and action orientation, and that they would be positively related to involvement in physical activity and competitive performance. In using LISREL to test the model, autonomy support was positively linked with perceived competence, autonomous motivation, and action orientation. In turn, perceived competence (through harmonious passion), autonomous motivation, and action orientation were all positively associated with involvement in physical activity, whereas perceived competence and autonomous motivation were positively correlated with competitive performance.     

Agroecology Education: Action-oriented Learning and Research

Abstract

Purpose: This article examines and evaluates the potential contributions from action learning and action research with stakeholders to higher education in agriculture and food systems.

Design/Methodology/Approach: The research is based on our experiences over the past two decades of running PhD courses and an MSc degree programme in Agroecology in Norway that have attracted students from the Nordic region and other countries.

Findings: We conclude that collaborating with non-university stakeholders as an integral part of a university course or programme serves four main purposes, two directly related to learning and two that can be considered as practical implications. Firstly, it enables learning about complex topics, a learning that cannot be achieved by merely reading or listening. Secondly, the real-life flare of such activities provides the students with enthusiasm and energy to delve into theory.

Practical Implications: Thirdly, students collaborating with non-university stakeholders connect university and society. Fourthly, this process builds social relevance and civic engagement not found in conventional courses or curricula.

Originality/Value: The article presents conceptual foundations and practical implementation of a unique educational programme in agriculture and food systems.     

Classroom Social Structure and Motivational Climates: On the influence of teachers' involvement,teachers' autonomy support and regulation in relation to motivational climates in school classrooms

This study investigates the relationship between students' perceptions of the social structure in the classroom and perceptions of the motivational climate among 1171 Norwegian eighth‐grade students from 65 school classes. A multilevel approach was implemented to investigate relationships at the individual level as well as at the class level. Results showed that perceptions of motivational climates varied considerably more within than between school classes, as well as a general trend for students to perceive the motivational climate to be more mastery than performance oriented. Moreover, emphatic teacher involvement yielded the strongest positive association with perceptions of a mastery motivational climate, as well as the strongest negative association with perceptions of a performance motivational climate. Besides, a mastery motivational climate was also found to be associated with a certain amount of student influence, whereas the final aspect of social structure investigated, regulation, showed relatively weaker associations with students' perceptions of motivational climate.     

The skills balancing act in sub-Saharan Africa: Investing in skills for productivity,inclusivity and adaptability

International Review of Education -