Experientially learning how to communicate science effectively: A case study on decoding science

The need for science communication programs is matched with the need for program evaluation. This case study is an evaluation of the “Decoding Science” program (DSP) [Rodgers et al. (2018). Science Communication, 40(1), 3–32], a science communication training program, and examines key experiential-learning themes [Kolb, D. A. (1984). Experiential learning: Experience as the source of learning and development. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall]. Specifically, we discuss the program's emphasis on learning that science communication is a process that (a) is continual, (b) involves conflict resolution, (c) requires adaptation to the world, (d) requires environmental interaction, and leads to (e) knowledge creation. Additionally, we discuss our analysis of student feedback. Results suggest that the DSP successfully utilizes experiential learning to facilitate the learning of science communication techniques and that future evaluations can lead to the development and improvement of science communication training programs.     

Recognition of facial emotions among maltreated children with high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to examine processing of facial emotions in a sample of maltreated children showing high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Maltreatment during childhood has been associated independently with both atypical processing of emotion and the development of PTSD. However, research has provided little evidence indicating how high rates of PTSD might relate to maltreated children's processing of emotions. METHOD: Participants' reaction time and labeling of emotions were measured using a morphed facial emotion identification task. Participants included a diverse sample of maltreated children with and without PTSD and controls ranging in age from 8 to 15 years. Maltreated children had been removed from their homes and placed in state custody following experiences of maltreatment. Diagnoses of PTSD and other disorders were determined through combination of parent, child, and teacher reports. RESULTS: Maltreated children displayed faster reaction times than controls when labeling emotional facial expressions, and this result was most pronounced for fearful faces. Relative to children who were not maltreated, maltreated children both with and without PTSD showed enhanced response times when identifying fearful faces. There was no group difference in labeling of emotions when identifying different facial emotions. CONCLUSIONS: Maltreated children show heightened ability to identify fearful faces, evidenced by faster reaction times relative to controls. This association between maltreatment and atypical processing of emotion is independent of PTSD diagnosis.     

Increasing the impact of a Master’s programme on teacher leadership and school development by means of boundary crossing

In this case study, we investigate how the development and impact of teacher leadership through a Master’s programme can be supported by a design that encourages boundary crossing activities between schools and universities. The case study focuses on 42 experienced teachers from three vocational colleges who were promoted to senior teacher positions and participated in a Master’s programme. Through individual and focus group interviews, data were collected on how boundary crossing activities can connect professional development and school development, and on favourable conditions for effective boundary crossing. The study shows that strategic alignment and shared ownership between university and school, a collective approach with multiple participants from one school, and the use of boundary objects, created the conditions through which the Master’s programme could serve as a catalyst, stimulating innovation of work practices and development of new leadership practices. The leadership of the senior teachers initiated a development process that shifted from formally mandated forms of leadership to more culturally embedded forms of leadership. This case study leads to a new understanding of design criteria for Master’s programmes and boundary objects that can support the process of developing teacher leadership within schools by facilitating boundary crossing between university and school.     

Learning and the development of social identities in the subjects Care and Technology

This article discusses the way in which social identities structure the learning processes of students in two subjects in the Dutch secondary school curriculum—Care and Technology. It analyses interviews with 23 students and their teachers with a view to explaining the disappointing results in these subjects in terms of breaking through gender and class‐related preferences and learning outcomes. The subjects Care and Technology refer to social practices with which groups of students identify in different ways. On the other hand, students also appear to make active use of these subjects in their identity development. The authors argue for explicitly combining the notion that learning is peripheral participation in social practices with analyses of the power relationships that structure those practices. Also, the question should be addressed of how the relative autonomy of the school can be used for organizing learning experiences in such a way that the constraints of social position and identity are reduced, and the restrictive character of social identities is challenged.     

Teachers' goals regarding social competence

This article focuses on the enhancement of social competence of students in secondary education. In the literature two perspectives on social competence can be distinguished: an ‘educating for adulthood’ perspective and an ‘educating for citizenship’ perspective. From each perspective goals are formulated for what education should be aimed at and what teachers could strive for. By means of a survey, teachers' educational goals regarding the social domain were explored. The results show that teachers unanimously emphasize educational goals from the ‘educating for adulthood’ perspective. The citizenship goals receive less attention. Irrespective of the perspective, pre‐vocational teachers appear less confident than general secondary teachers regarding the attainability of the goals for their students. They intend to contribute to the development of social competence of their students in their own lessons more often. In conclusion, we argue that teaching strategies should be developed that support teachers' contribution to their students' development of social competence, particularly the citizenship elements.

Cet article traite l'apprentissage d'une compétence sociale des élèves dans l'éducation secondaire. La littérature professionnelle distingue deux visions sur la compétence sociale: une vision orientée vers l'âge adulte et l'autre orientée vers la citoyennet. Chacune des ces visions connaît des objectifs spécifiques qui amènent leur propre façon d'enseignement et le rôle de l'enseignant là‐dedans. Les objectifs éducatifs des professeurs concernant le domaine social ont été explorés au moyen d'un aperçu. Les résultats prouvent que les professeurs soulignent unanimement les objectifs éducatifs s'orientant vers âge adulte, tandis que les objectifs s'orientant vers la citoyenneté suscitent moins d'attention. Indépendamment de ces deux visions, les professeurs du primaire semblent moins confiants que les professeurs du secondaire quand il s'agit de la faisabilité des objectifs par leurs élèves. Ceux‐là sont plus souvent prêts à contribuer au développement de la compétence sociale de leurs élèves pendant leurs propres leçons. En conclusion nous plaidons en faveur du développement de stratégies d'enseignement stimulant les professeurs à contribuer à la compétence sociale de leurs élèves, en particulier en ce qui concerne les aspects de citoyenneté.

Dieser Aufsatz beschäftigt sich mit der Verbesserung der Sozialkompetenz von Schülern im Sekundarbereich. In der Fachliteratur zum Thema Sozialkompetenz lassen sich zwei Perspektiven unterscheiden: Erstens die der “Erziehung zum Erwachsenen” und zweitens die der “Erziehung zum Staatsbürger”. Aus beiden Perspektiven werden für den Ausbildungssektor und für die Leherarbeit Ziele formuliert. Mittels einer Umfrage wurde in dieser Studie ermittelt, welche pädagogischen Ziele Lehrer sich im Bereich der sozialen Kompetenz setzen. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass Lehrer einstimmig pädagogische Ziele aus der Perspektive der “Erziehung zum Erwachsenen” betonen. Im Vergleich dazu erhalten Staatsbürgerschaftsziele weniger Aufmerksamkeit. In Bezug auf die erreichbarkeit der Ziele für ihre Schüler zeigen sich Lehrer im berufsvorbereitenden Unterricht, ungeachtet der Perspektive, weniger zuversichtlich als Lehrer im allgemeinbildenden Bereich. Sie haben häufiger die Absicht in ihrem eigenen Unterricht zur Entwicklung der Sozialkompetenz ihrer Schüler beizutragen. Wir schlussfolgern, dass Unterrichtsstrategien zu entwickeln sind, die Lehrern dabei helfen können, zur Entwicklung der Sozialkompetenz ihrer Schüler beizutragen, besonders dort wo es um die Staatsbürgerschaftelemente geht.

Este artículo se centra en la importancia de la competencia social de los alumnos en la educación secundaria. En la literatura se pueden distinguir dos perspectivas acerca de la competencia social: una perspectiva `que se dirige a una educación para la edad adulta' y una perspectiva `que se dirige a una educación para la ciudadanía'. Desde cada perspectiva se han formulado las metas que deben de alcanzar tanto la educación como los profesores. A través de una investigación se exploraron las metas de los profesores respecto al dominio social. Los resultados demuestran que los profesores de forma unánime dan más importancia a las metas educativas desde la perspectiva de ‘adulthood’. A las metas acerca de la ciudadanía se presta menos atención. Independientemente de la perspectiva, los profesores prevocacionales parecen tener menos confidencia que los profesores de secundaria que los alumnos alcancen las metas. Más a menudo tienden a contribuir al desarrollo de la competencia social de los alumnos en sus propias clases. Concluyendo, discutimos que se desarrollen las estrategias de aprendizaje que soportan la contribución del profesor al desarrollo de la competencia social del alumno, sobre todo los elementos de ciudadanía.     

From the body to the city: participatory action research with social cartography for transformative education and global citizenship

ABSTRACT

In times of globalization we are facing a crisis of care. The invisibility of relations of domination and oppression against nature, women and girls, as well as the elderly, generate inequalities and structural problems that increase the unsustainability of life on the planet. The uncertainty towards the future, generated by climate change, pollution and scarcity of water resources, is leading us towards war or revolution – a revolution that requires the involvement of the new generations to transform reality and confront contemporary problems. In this sense, it is necessary to educate, raise awareness and empower girls and boys in citizen participation, in overcoming gender inequalities and in the development of fairer and more sustainable practices and behaviours. The participatory action-research experience with social cartography ‘From the Body to the City’, promoted by the Institute of Innovation and Knowledge Management – INGENIO (CSIC-UPV) in collaboration with the primary school CEIP Vicente Gaos of Valencia (Spain), developed together with the students of 4th primary grade, intended to reflect and act collectively on our territories from the principles of transformative education and global citizenship.     

From peripheral to full participation in a blended trade bargaining simulation

This article considers the extent and nature of student participation in a trade bargaining simulation from a community of practice perspective. This third‐year economics module included a blend of online communication (through email, online chats and online discussions) and face‐to‐face meetings, both in smaller bargaining groups and in whole class plenary meetings. Our method of analysis includes the use of Exchange Structure Analysis of text chats and face‐to‐face learning conversations, triangulated by observation, survey and interview data. The focus on community of practice enables us to offer a nuanced interpretation of differences in crude participation data derived from the online chats. Superficially, the data may suggest marginalisation of participants, but Wenger's (1988 ) notion of peripheral participation with a trajectory towards full participation reframes the disparities in terms of an active community of practice. Some members are fully engaged with the practices of trade bargaining from the early stages of the simulation, while others move towards full participation over the duration of the simulation. Our results suggest that the laboratory‐based online text chats did provide opportunities for student participation in the simulation, and that male and female students exhibited different patterns of participation in the chats.