Politics,religion and social connections: pillars for progression among primary teachers in Jamaica

Perceptions about teacher progression among Jamaica's primary schoolteachers should force society to stop and ask itself several questions. Are these perceptions accurate? If not, how did these perceptions emerge and what can national leaders and those in positions of authority do to ‘manage’ if not resolve these perceptions? If there is any truth to them, a different set of questions need to be asked. How did things come to be like this? How can the perception of corruption and mistrust be minimised? What will be done differently going forward? Either way, there is a more fundamental question: Do the current perceptions among teachers mirror perceptions in other areas of public service? The answers to these questions are not easy. The main aim of this small-scale qualitative exploratory study was to identify and understand the perceptions of primary schoolteachers in Jamaica as regards progression to the rank of principal. The findings point to a number of perceived barriers including religious affiliation, political affiliation, ministry- and school-level politicking, social connections and predetermined outcomes. This study concludes that promotion on any basis other than merit is problematic and does not promote trust, openness and transparency, nor does it build confidence in those who are part of the system but themselves do not have such connections and/or affiliations.     

Interactions between Niche and Regime: An Analysis of Learning and Innovation Networks for Sustainable Agriculture across Europe

Abstract

Purpose: This paper aims to reveal, and contribute to an understanding of, the processes that connect learning and innovation networks in sustainable agriculture to elements of the mainstream agricultural regime. Drawing on the innovations and transition literature, the paper frames the analysis around niche-regime interaction using the notion of niche-regime compatibility.

Design/Methodology/Approach: 17 Learning and Innovation Networks for Sustainable Agriculture (LINSA) engaged in agricultural food production, non-food and rural development were analyzed. In line with the project's transdisciplinary approach data were collected in a series of participatory workshops.

Findings: Five modes of LINSA-regime interaction are distinguished based on compatibility. The level of LINSA-regime compatibility influences the extent of the diffusion of LINSA ideas and practices into the regime. However, interaction processes within these modes reveal multiple and diverse connections between LINSA and regime entities suggesting a more complex relationship exists.

Practical implications: A range of connecting processes and activities (for example, certification, exemption from regulation, facilitation of networking) can bring about effective LINSA-regime interaction and could be externally supported.

Originality/Value: Empirical evidence from 17 case studies provides valuable insights from a number of different contexts across Europe. By directing analysis of interaction at the level of LINSA (niche project), rather than at the macro level, the study offers an original perspective. It suggests that the transition to sustainable agriculture might be understood as a complex of interactive processes leading to a series of adaptive changes, rather than as regime change.     

认知心理视角下的壮母语学生英语学习双迁移研究

壮母语学生英语学习有其自身特点,英语的学习过程是其母语、汉语和英语交互影响相互作用的过程,这三语间相互影响、作用或干扰导致其语言迁移的动态性、复杂和多样性。从心理认知的角度来研究壮母语学生英语学习中的语言迁移现象,可帮助我们进一步认清壮族学生语言习得中的障碍,把握好教学内容的难重点,帮助壮族学生克服语言学习中的困难。     

高校班级学生干部人际关系障碍及对策探析

高校班级学生干部人际关障碍是班级学生干部诸多心理问题中最突变且突出的一种。针对高校班级学生干部人际关系障碍,以其在人际交往中的不良心理特征为立足点,分析班级学生干部存在面子、冲动、自我欣赏、自我封闭等不良心理特征,指出把握成功的人际交往原则、掌握人际交往的艺术、增加人际交往中的人际魅力等相应对策,从而提高班级学生干部处理人际关系的能力,促进心理健康发展。     

Exploring learning and fit in the transition from higher education to the labour market: A systematic review

The transition from higher education to the labour market is an important period for youngsters, characterised by extensive changes which act as triggers for learning. Furthermore, students’ educational background and the (in)congruence with their work context is important. Accordingly, the aim of this systematic review is to explore the role of learning and fit in the transition process. Results indicate that most emphasis is put on theoretical knowledge, communication, problem-solving, and learning skills. Although the perception on what has to be learned differs for employers, educators, and graduates, each group valued generic competences most. Results show that transfer can be experienced in three ways and the need for learning at work is stressed. Concerning fit, four types of fit are distinguished: vertical, horizontal, competence, and person-environment fit. Several personal background characteristics are shown to influence fit and findings indicate that fit has an influence on career progress and personal resources.     

Beyond Access: Psychosocial Barriers to Computer Literacy

Research consistently indicates that Latinos and African-Americans are less likely to own and use computers than either Caucasians or Asians. While conventional wisdom holds that high computer costs and lack of access are the primary reasons for this discrepancy, my ethnographic research with 100 low-income adults reveals three non-cost-related psychosocial obstacles that significantly undermine motivation for acquiring computer skills: “relevance,” “fear,” and “self-concept.” My research thus suggests that a more complex relationship exists between ethnicity, identity, and attitudes associated with computers than previously examined; this relationship may better explain why some people are choosing not to use computers at this time. My research also indicates that while community technology centers (CTCs) play an important role in helping adults overcome their resistances and achieve computer literacy, they are presently an underutilized resource—less than 5% of San Diegans use them to meet their computing needs. Hence, my research also questions why more residents do not avail themselves of these community resources. I conclude that efforts to increase computer literacy in underserved communities must go beyond physical access and connectivity and consider the role of cultural factors.     

我国民办教育“合理回报”政策变迁及其研究综述

我国民办教育的实践倒逼着"合理回报"政策的变迁。从政策走势看来,民办教育将走向营利性和非营利性学校分类管理的格局。分类管理也是"合理回报"问题在法律设计上的解决路径。薛娈立认为民办高等教育的"合理回报"应由无风险回报和风险补偿回报两部分组成。赵彦志运用教育内部收益率方法估算了民办高等教育"合理回报"水平。"合理回报"研究将从法学、经济学、财会管理学等视角下的研究进入投资风险与收益、政府监管体系和教育债券或公益教育基金等新的研究方向。     

温州民营出口企业应对贸易壁垒研究综述

近几年来,温州产品屡遭国外的贸易壁垒,给温州经济发展造成了巨大的影响,国内专家对此进行了大量的研究,成为一个学术热点,主要探讨了贸易壁垒的类型、形成的原因、造成的影响及我们应采取的对策。     

从绿色壁垒的双重性看我国应采取的对策

绿色壁垒是以严格的环境标准和其他环境要求为主要内涵的一种贸易壁垒。在我国“入世”以后，它取代过去的关税壁垒等贸易限制而成为我国发展以外贸易的最大“障碍”。本文在对绿色壁垒的双重性进行客观分析的基础上，深入探讨了我国对绿色壁垒问题应当采取的对策。     

浅谈下一代互联网协议IPv6

随着Internet的飞速发展,IPv4的缺陷逐渐凸现。针对这个问题,文章介绍了IPv6产生的背景以及IPv6的新特性,同时阐述了从现有的IPv4网络过渡到IPv6的策略。