The Phenomenology of Space in Writing Online

In this paper we explore the phenomenon of writing online. We ask, 'Is writing by means of online technologies affected in a manner that differs significantly from the older technologies of pen on paper, typewriter, or even the word processor in an off-line environment?' In writing online, the author is engaged in a spatial complexity of physical, temporal, imaginal, and virtual experience: the writing space, the space of the text, cyber space, etc. At times, these may provide a conduit to a writerly understanding of human phenomena. We propose that an examination of the phenomenological features of online writing may contribute to a more pedagogically sensitive understanding of the experiences of online seminars, teaching and learning.     

The changing experiences of bisexual male adolescents

Drawing on in-depth interviews with 15 openly bisexual male youth from sixth forms across the UK, this article documents positive experiences of bisexual male youth in school: participants had positive coming out experiences and did not encounter significant discrimination or harassment because of their sexual identity. Participants attribute this to the inclusive environments of their schools and local cultures. Examining the narratives of two participants who had negative experiences, this article also highlights continued issues for bisexual youth in schools. It thus advances our understanding of contemporary bisexual lives in educational institutions, and contributes to debates about whether sixth forms are more inclusive spaces than secondary schools for bisexuals.     

The Middle School Trend: Another Look in the Upper Midwest

Teacher retention has become a major issue facing policy makers as our nation's school-age population continues to grow while the teaching workforce continues to decline because of attrition and an aging workforce. Common reasons cited by teachers for leaving the profession can also be linked to burnout. This study examined burnout levels in a specific subset of teachers—those who achieved certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). The potential benefits to teachers who pursue NBPTS certification include professional pride, recognition of outstanding teaching practice, new leadership roles and responsibilities, and higher salaries (Shapiro 1995 Shapiro, B. 1995. A boost for teachers?. Vocational Education Journal, 68: 28–29.  [Google Scholar]). Some of these potential rewards seem to address a number of the factors that are related to the onset of burnout, and therefore may not only alleviate burnout but also impact retention rates. The study found that National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) demonstrated significantly lower levels of burnout in two of its three dimensions.     

Acknowledgements

We sought to examine empirically the prevailing assumption that changing assessment can leverage curricular reform. This assumption has been significantly confirmed by our research for the case of mandated high-stakes assessment. Two studies were conducted in the two most populous Australian states, New South Wales and Victoria. In the final two years of secondary school in both states, courses of study and assessment arrangements are mandated for all schools, including the private sector, by the state's Board of Studies. Congruence between mandated assessment and schoolwide instructional practice was found in two states whose high-stakes assessment embodied quite contrasting values.     

Resolving the knowledge paradox: Knowledge-spillover entrepreneurship and economic growth

The knowledge paradox suggests that high levels of investment in new knowledge do not necessarily and automatically generate the anticipated levels of competitiveness of growth. In particular, knowledge investments do not automatically translate into balanced growth and competitiveness. The purpose of this paper is to explain why knowledge investments are inherently unbalanced, so that the competitiveness and growth ensuing from knowledge are not equally spread across individuals, firms, and spatial units of observation, such as regions and countries. Based on a data set linking entrepreneurial activity to growth within the context of German regions, this paper shows that entrepreneurship serves a conduit of knowledge spillovers.     

西方教师知识研究发展的专业化路径

教师专业发展已经越来越被视为决定教育改革成效的重要因素,教师知识是教师专业化中需考虑的重要内容.舒尔曼最早提出教师的学科教学知识后,研究者形成了不同的教师知识研究的理论框架.西方对教师知识的研究经历了三个关键的发展阶段:区别教师的知识与学科专家的知识,这使得对教师专业化的讨论成为可能;关注具体教学内容的特定知识,对教师专业化的研究具有了具体内容;关注官方课程知识,对教师专业化的研究关注教师的日常教学工作.教师知识研究的发展路径体现出了教师专业化的不断深入.对教师知识研究的专业化路径的探讨有利于进一步促进教师专业化发展,并最终服务于教育改革.