The use of reverse engineering to analyse student computer programs

In this paper, an explanatory program understander that can analyse student solutions for programming assignments is described. The approach uses a number of reverse engineering techniques and is grounded on a cognitive model of procedural programming knowledge. It will be shown that, through the use of reverse engineering techniques, a lot of feedback (e.g. on errors) can be generated without having to use any prior knowledge on what the program is supposed to do. When such information is available, problem-specific feedback can also be generated. Furthermore, the use of the cognitive programming concepts allows one to specify the errors in an understandable way using exactly the same words and concepts as human programmers. This opens interesting possibilities for other uses of the proposed program understanding technique described in this article.     

Sighting horizons of teaching in higher education

This conceptual paper tackles the matter of teaching in higher education and proposes a concept of ‘horizons of teaching’. It firstly offers an overview of the considerable empirical literature around teaching—especially conceptions of teaching, approaches to teaching and teaching practices—and goes on to pose some philosophical and social theoretical considerations that open further the territory around teaching in university. Against this background, we propose the concept of ‘horizons of teaching’. Horizons of teaching provide a context in which it makes sense for teachers to give themselves to the teaching enterprise and to go on giving themselves to teaching. Horizons include diverse and intricate layers at both micro- and macro-levels that interact in a permanent and dynamic way; they involve persons and collectivities; and they concern structures and agency. The paper concludes by proposing that horizons of teaching configure and delineate curricula and the pedagogical relationship in a way that might contain a revolutionary potentiality in recasting teaching in higher education.     

Globalized curriculum or global approach to curriculum reform in mathematics education

The mathematics education community has shown considerable awareness of the international status of their discipline. While internationalization of the discipline is not a new phenomenon, globalization is a relatively recent term in educational discourse. This paper presents a theoretical model towards the study of globalization and internationalization in mathematics education based on previous publication by the authors. Secondly, it identifies some key issues that have been discussed in the literature and that may require further discussion and research in the field. In particular it discusses the issue of similarity of mathematics education curricula around the world. The concept of a global curriculum is rejected in favor for more internationalized approach to curriculum reform based on collaboration between mathematics educators.     

Should one develop nonformal education?

In the following pages we are reproducing, with the kind permission of the International Council for Educational Development (ICED) and of Unicef large extracts from a report entitled Nonformal Education for Rural Development: Strengthening Learning Opportunities for Children and Youth' (February 1973).The ICED is a non-profit research organization concerned with improving education's contribution to economic and social development in all the regions of the world.In carrying out this study, at the request of Unicef, Philip H. Coombs was assisted principally by Roy C. Prosser, Deputy Director of the Study; Manzoor Ahmed, Assistant to the Director; Roshan R. Billimoria, Research Assistant, and Sven Grabe, Special Consultant.The main part of the text printed here is drawn from Chapters II and VI of the report. Formerly Director of the International Institute for Educational Planning (Unesco). Currently Vice Chairman of ICED Among his many publications is The World Education Crisis: A Systems Analysis (1968).     

Lifelong Learning: An Enduring Mandate for Higher Education

Lifelong learning is not only an established psychological fact, it is a compelling political and educational slogan that appeals equally to those concerned with the fulfilment and realisation of human potential, and those who are interested in the pragmatic need to keep up with rapid social and technological change.

A number of recent discussion papers and government reports (see, e.g., Aulich, 1990; Australia Council, 1990; Butler, 1989; Dawkins, 1988; DEET, 1990; Johnson, 1990) have mentioned the concept of lifelong learning as either a cause or an effect of recommended changes in the structure, administration or policy of higher education in Australia.

The purpose of this paper is to examine lifelong learning and to distinguish it from a number of other concepts and practices with which it is frequently associated. The paper then moves on to a consideration of lifelong learning in the Australian context, and in particular in higher education. It is argued that in many instances the rhetoric has outstripped the reality. Yet there are positive signs that notwithstanding the dominant ideology of instrumentalism so prominent at present, there are many initiatives and programs which, taken together, are contributing towards the fulfilment of lifelong learning. It is concluded that Australian higher education institutions are able to realise the ideal of contributing to a learning society, while at the same time being more pragmatic and accountable in aspects of their work.     

The CTY Talent Search: International Applicability and Practice in Ireland

The Talent Search model of above level standardized testing is a core practice of the Center for Talented Youth (CTY) at The Johns Hopkins University in the USA, where it was introduced in 1971. The Hopkins Model was adapted for use at the Irish Centre for Talented Youth (CTYI) at Dublin City University in 1993, and this adaptation marks the first major international replication, incorporating both the mathematics and verbal portions of the SAT. The SAT proved to be a valuable assessment instrument for these students, whose scores resembled those of American students.     

Early Islam in British Higher Education

Abstract

In an educational environment where interest in Arabic and Islam is growing, I ask the place of revisionist/critical approaches to early Islam in Higher Education. This paper uses 15 semi-structured interviews with Lecturers in early Islam to investigate how they treat controversial subject matter in the classroom. The paper examines how the different approaches taken by lecturers are linked to different kinds of academic training, and asks what kinds of approach are suited to different student demographics. It concludes by suggesting how critical ways of teaching this subject are linked to new approaches in interfaith engagement, which acknowledge the political context for the development of Scriptures.