Ethnography's troubles and the reproduction of academic habitus

In this article, we explore the methodological possibilities of dual observation and ‘inter‐reflexive’ interpretation as we have experienced this in a longitudinal ethnographic case study of music teaching and learning in an English Cathedral Choir School. Our intent here is to understand the ways in which our particular historical, social and cultural perspectives lead us to partial yet complementary sensings, seeings, hearings and feelings in this setting, and the ramifications of this for the interpretations we bring to observational data, and the subsequent development of interpretive narrative accounts. Through an analysis of our respective narrative accounts of our first observational encounter in the research setting, and subsequent ‘inter‐reflexive’ interpretation, we seek to interrogate the ways in which a plausible, credible and believable narrative can be developed through the separate and joint analyses of storied reflexive observation.     

De las diferencias culturales a las desigualdades escolares: la evaluación y la norma en una enseñanza indiferenciada

RESUMEN

En el sistema educativo actual, la organización pedagógica es la enseñanza indiferenciada ligada a una evaluación comparativa. El autor describe los mecanismos por los cuales un sistema como éste convierte las diferencias culturales en diferencias escolares. Se analiza la correlación existente entre las desigualdades de formación y el origen social; el hecho de que los mismos programas educativos sean diferentes en unas escuelas (calificación del profesorado, composición del alumnado…) que en otras; la desigualdad de trato en la acción pedagógica y en la evaluación; la desigualdad social ante la evaluación, y la falta de ajuste de la acción pedagógica a las características individuales. En la evaluación está la base de la génesis de las desigualdades de aprendizaje y éxito.     

Relevance matters. Eighteen-month-olds’ use of relevant informative pointing as a predictor of two-year-olds’ language abilities / La relevancia es importante. El uso de gestos deícticos relevantes e informativos por parte de niños de año y medio como factor predictor de las capacidades lingüísticas a los dos años

Abstract

The significance of pointing gestures in the development of linguistic communication is linked to their referential character and formation of common ground in use of gestures and speech. Our longitudinal study aimed to define the nature of this relationship more precisely and to explore whether the relevance vs lack of relevance of a child’s pointing gestures is related to development of language abilities. We developed a special protocol to measure relevant and irrelevant pointing gestures in 18-month-olds, sampled production of spontaneous speech and measured their language comprehension at two years of age. A group of 343 children was tested, and using structural equation modelling we showed that relevant gestures predict the level of development of language production and comprehension. As predicted, this association was not applied to irrelevant gestures. It is likely that a child’s more frequent use of relevant pointing gestures helps the caregiver to recognize the child’s communicative intentions and to comment on his/her behaviour appropriately. The identified developmental/predictive relationship is valid in both mentalistic and teleological interpretation of early communicative development.     

The effect of an intervention to improve newly qualified teachers’ interpersonal style,students motivation and psychological need satisfaction in sport-based physical education

Recent developments in self-determination theory research in the educational setting (e.g., Reeve, Deci, & Ryan, 2004), suggest that teachers’ interpersonal style should be considered as consisting of three dimensions: autonomy support, structure and interpersonal involvement. Based on this theoretical proposition, the purpose of the present study was to test the effects of a training program for three physical education newly qualified teachers on the aforementioned teachers’ overt behaviors and students’ psychological needs satisfaction, self-determined motivation and engagement in sport-based physical education. After a baseline period of four lessons, the teachers attended an informational session on adaptive student motivation and how to support it. The training program also included individualized guidance during the last four lessons of the cycle. Results revealed that from pre- to post-intervention: (1) teachers managed to improve their teaching style in terms of all three dimensions, and (2) students were receptive to these changes, as shown by increases in their reported need satisfaction, self-determined motivation and engagement in the class.     

The influence of impact location and angle on the dynamic impact response of a Hybrid III headform

To properly assess sports helmet performance, it is important to select impact conditions that yield high peak linear or angular accelerations. This was done by measuring the kinematic response of a Hybrid III headform when impacted with a modified Wayne State University linear impactor with special consideration for impact locations and angles. The 20 impact conditions (five locations and four angles) were then compared to published thresholds to identify the conditions, which were linked to an increased risk of head injury. These conditions were the following: 1A (linear 121.3g; angular 3.84 krad s⁻²), 2A (linear 102.1g; angular 9.28 krad s⁻²), 2C (linear 94.4g; angular 8.67 krad s⁻²), 3A (linear 132.8g; angular 9.38 krad s⁻²), 4A (linear 92.8g; angular 11.49 krad s⁻²), 4D (linear 113.3g; angular 12.86 krad s⁻²), 5A (linear 116.9g; angular 9.01 krad s⁻²) and 5D (linear 87.5g; angular 8.81 krad s⁻²). The results presented in this study were specific to the test rig used as well as the tested conditions; however, it is believed that a test protocol using the above impact conditions could identify the ability of sports helmets to reduce risk of head injuries.     

Logics of integration and actors’ strategies in European joint programs

This paper analyses how the interaction between social institutions on the one hand and actors’ strategies and interests on the other hand is shaping European integration in research policy. We specifically focus on the implications of the existence of different conceptions of European integration (logics) on the emerging landscape of research funding programs jointly managed by the European Union (EU) and National States (joint programs). Our results display the central role of the introduction of a logic of coordination by the EU; it created a breeding ground for a new generation of programs and, at the same time, allowed to make the integration model more flexible and acceptable to National States (as funding became only virtually integrated). Most newly created programs were characterized by largely symbolic commitments and very small budgets, while stronger commitments had to be constructed through successive steps of integration. This process was highly selective and dependent on the presence of strong interests from the research community; additional funding from the EU was critical to ensure stability of national commitments. Further, National States by large delegated to independent funding agencies the management of national participations: delegation allowed to achieve greater homogeneity among national participants, but also to decouple decisions to participate (driven by compliance to institutional pressures) from the level of resources to be committed (driven by national interests). While in the year 2000, the European Research Area (ERA) strategy of coordinating national research policies was largely an empty concept, our case study shows how in the following decade, it was filled in with specific experiences and practices, led to the redefinition of actors’ understanding of European integration and roles in European research policies and, ultimately, to the emergence of original models of integration.     

Educators' perspectives on working with a humanoid robot in a French preschool class for autistic children

Humanoid robots have shown to provide interesting perspectives for autistic children. Yet, few studies have looked at educators' point of view on the use of such robots in educational settings. This paper presents a case study of the use of a humanoid robot, NAO, in a French preschool class dedicated to autistic children. Our work focuses on the perspectives of the adults working with these children. We interviewed the professional staff about changes in their teaching due to the presence of the robot, about the effects on the pupils' behaviour, and about the collaboration between the special needs teacher, the special needs support worker and the operational specialist from the digital education department of the district academic head office. Four themes were identified: joint reflection and collaboration when working with NAO, working with NAO, impact of NAO on pupils, impact of NAO on adults. The professionals underscored the necessity of adopting certain attitudes, in particular, the most neutral facial expression possible, so as not to disturb the children's learning process. They were under the impression that the robot had a beneficial effect on the pupils in terms of learning and social skills, and that it facilitated collaboration among them.