ODS Network ‐ International School Networking

Abstract

The initiative ‘Offenes Deutsches Schul‐Netz’ (ODS) ‐ The Open German School Network ‐ sees itself as a joint cover for school networking in Germany. In this article, we give an insight into the very successful ideas on which ODS is based. Practically every computer‐mediated communication between schools in Germany and abroad is transmitted on the basis of agreements by the ODS with various servers. We describe, briefly, how we imagine networking between schools in future.     

Stereotype change following exposure to counter‐stereotypical media heroes

During his 1966–69 tenure as director of research for the Lutheran Council in the U.S.A., Ronald L. Johnstone helped plan and conduct the research reported here which is based on a sizable national sample. In the article, he constructs a profile of the typical religious radio program listener. Dr. Johnstone earned the Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in 1963 and is now associate professor of sociology at Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant.     

An Inquiry into the Use of Living Organisms in Biological Education in West German Schools

Summaries

English

An investigation was conducted, for the entire Federal Republic of Germany, on the use of living organisms in biological instruction. Besides the scope and manner in which living organisms are used, the expenditure of time and material by teachers was examined and teachers’ views of the value of including living organisms in biology instruction were ascertained. In addition, it was determined whether there are verifiable differences among the various types of schools, among schools located in differently sized communities, and also among schools of different size. The results are compared with statements from professional educators.     

Exclusionary narratives as barriers to the recognition of qualifications,skills and experience—a case of skilled migrants in Australia

The paper reports on research conducted in Australia with (i) skilled migrants, (ii) public-sector recruiters, and (iii) skilled migrant placement officers (SMPOs), who assisted migrants into employment. Their stories were collected as part of a project, intent on improving recognition processes in higher education and employment by piloting a professional development program. The reported experiences underpin exclusionary narratives that prevent skills recognition and employment commensurate with qualifications and experience. The unsatisfactory nature of formal and informal recognition processes and their relationship to ‘subterranean’ forms of racism is explored.     

Disciplinary traditions and the dissemination of knowledge. An international comparison of publication patterns in journals of education

This paper presents findings from two studies of publication patterns in leading English, German, European and US journals of education. The studies were funded by the German Research Association and conducted by an international team of researchers. All papers published in 14 selected journals between 2001 and 2010 were analysed in terms of their author profile, their methodological approach and their thematic focus. The analyses resulted in publication patterns for the selected journals and at an aggregated level for the four geographic areas in which journals are published, highlighting many similarities, but also distinct differences. As far as the differences are concerned, the lower share of female authors and the relative low proportion of papers drawing on empirical research in German journals are noteworthy. For US journals, the comparatively low importance of papers drawing on the international research discourse seems to be particularly important. Based on an analysis of related studies in this field the paper demonstrates a degree of alignment of publication patterns with disciplinary traditions and formation processes in the field of education. However, the trend analysis provided also shows that some of the traditional boundaries of education as an academic discipline are in a state of flux.     

The Autistic Society and Its Classrooms

Autistic means a subject has limited affect or may be without affect altogether. Though traditionally individuals are described as autistic, the authors find it increasingly apparent that American society is becoming autistic as a whole, as citizens are desensitized to needs of neighbors near and far, losing the commensurate loyalty of being in community. This essay suggests that classrooms must be on the front line of challenging the effects of an increasingly autistic society.     

Comparing the curriculum development process in special (MLD) schools: a systematic qualitative approach

ABSTRACT

The present paper describes a comparative study of ten special schools for pupils with moderate learning difficulties in England and Wales. Qualitative analysis of interview data and curriculum documentation collected from the schools provide a model of the curriculum process which is firmly grounded in the data. Comparisons across the categories of the model indicate strong differences between the schools in certain categories, e.g. use of objectives, specification of curriculum intention, monitoring of pupil progress and curriculum evaluation.