Integrating handicapped children: one teacher's experience

Fresh demands are currently being made upon teachers of literacy. How do these fit with what we know about teachers who are effective at teaching literacy? The research reported here aimed to explore the characteristic features of teachers who were effective literacy teachers, in terms of their knowledge, beliefs and teaching practices. It was found that effective teachers were already teaching literacy in a manner sympathetic to that implied in the National Literacy Strategy. The article goes on to discuss some of the implications of these findings, especially in terms of the design and content of future in-service courses.     

Who says you need to teach reading to 11–13-year-olds?

Research indicates that as students move through the school system, many begin to experience difficulties with reading. With this mind, this study explored current practices and perceptions about reading programmes for 11–13-year-old students in New Zealand schools. The study employed an online survey designed to investigate current reading literacy practices in a sample of New Zealand primary in years 7 and 8. Observations of practice and interviews with literacy leaders, teachers, principals and students were also carried out at five case study schools. The survey indicated that teachers may underestimate the importance of learner engagement and direct teaching strategies. The case studies exemplify the need for good professional development, supportive leadership, effective class management strategies, a positive and engaging learning environment, teachers with a passion for literacy and exemplary and sustained guided reading.     

The Impossibility of a Core Curriculum: a Reply to Alan Harris

Two main reasons are given for the continuing educational deployment of Piaget's psychological theory. The first reason is that his theory survives psychological scrutiny. In support, it is argued that none of five criticisms directed by Peter Bryant (Oxford Review of Education, 10/3 1984) requires the rejection of Piaget's theory. It is, in particular, contended that the development of cognitive ability is accorded a relative, rather than absolute, construal; that both principles of matching and of mismatching are compatible with Piaget's theory; and that decisions about the validity of Piaget's recent equilibratory model should not be taken prematurely. The second reason is that Piaget's constructivist theory has undergone recent revision and so is of interest to those with psychological or educational commitments to constructivism.     

Curriculum dissemination and implementation in Ireland: principal and teacher insight

In an effort to understand interpretations of new and revised physical education syllabuses, and conditions that appear to strengthen or weaken the desire to introduce them, this paper draws on insights provided by principals and physical education teachers into the effective implementation of syllabuses within Irish post-primary schools. Situating the discussion within the area of managing curriculum change we examine how the various elements of the Irish education system are involved in providing support for such curriculum developments. Using principals' and teachers' perspectives on the implementation of the revised junior cycle physical education syllabus we suggest how the dynamics within the education system might change to provide effective dissemination and implementation of new and revised senior cycle physical education syllabuses. We refer to the principles underpinning community of practice, some of which are evident in the Irish education landscape. We acknowledge that they offer the potential for a changing culture and context in which principals and teacher might work.     

Developing Positive Attitudes Toward Interprofessional Collaboration Among Students in the Health Care Professions

This study examined whether attitudes toward interprofessional collaboration (Physician-Nurse, Physician-Social Worker, Nurse-Social Worker) held by medical, social work, and nursing students changed after completing an interprofessional curriculum consisting of (a) Interprofessional Education Development Session and (b) the Senior Aging and Geriatrics Educator mentoring program. The 15-item original and two modified versions of the Jefferson School of Attitudes Toward Physician-Nurse Collaboration (JSAPNC) were administered as pretest/posttest. Of the 186 participants who completed the pretest, 156 (84%) completed the posttest. Results showed that the medical students (n = 52) reported the most positive change in attitude toward all three pairs of interprofessional collaboration. Social work students (n = 55) reported the least positive attitudes toward Physician-Social Worker collaboration and nursing students (n = 49) reported the least positive attitudes toward Physician-Nurse collaboration. It is recommended to evaluate the interprofessional curriculum and other factors, such as the possible influence of the facilitator in group discussions, and that future studies include a rigorous design that monitors content of each educational session to ensure integrity across groups. Postgraduate follow-up measures could be used to enhance positive attitudes toward interprofessional collaboration.     

GUIDELINES FOR ACHIEVEMENT OF LEARNER SATISFACTION IN GERONTOLOGICAL SHORT‐TERM TRAINING

As emphasis on intensive educational training increases, effective gerontological curricula and content planning to assure learner satisfaction are becoming more important. This article considers four key variables related to learner satisfaction: class size, seating arrangement, training methods, and participant motivation. Six guidelines for increased training effectiveness are suggested: preassessed and structured environment, planned group size to serve content and objectives, seating arrangements, discussion group utilization, preassessed learner attitudes, and continuous evaluation with necessary restructuring.     

Students Connecting with the Elderly: Validation as a Tool

In this article we respond to the call to action that is the crisis among seniors called The Silver Tsunami! We describe the education of students through the use of Feil's Validation Therapy. There are growing concerns among social service providers regarding the rapid increase of the elderly population and the lack of adequate staff to provide care for our seniors. If we as educators, agency administrators, or committed family members ignore this call to action, the cycle of the employee “revolving door” will continue with inadequately trained and emotionally disconnected personnel working with aging persons. Frontline workers are the backbone of any agency. They are the ones who interact with seniors and their loved ones and collaborate with other medical and community professionals. We, as their teachers, must enhance their knowledge and skills so they many continue to provide service to the second most vulnerable population.     

Cultural Competence Training for Healthcare Professionals Working with LGBT Older Adults

The population of the aging lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community is significant and growing rapidly. As LGBT individuals age and begin to move into healthcare communities, they are fearful of apathy, discrimination, and abuse by healthcare providers and other residents. Person-centered cultural competence and sensitivity among service providers is necessary in order for LGBT individuals to share the same quality of life as other members of the aging community. Programming developed to educate healthcare professionals and aging-services providers on issues related to aging as an LGBT adult must be thoughtfully evaluated to show both efficacy and impact.