Theoretical Claims and Empirical Evidence in Maori Education Discourse

Post‐Marxist critical sociology of education has influenced the development of indigenous (‘kaupapa’) Maori educational theory and research. Its effects are examined in four claims made for Maori education by indigenous theorists. The claims are: indigenous kaupapa Maori education is a revolutionary initiative; it is a cultural solution to Maori educational under‐achievement; it has reversed the decline of the Maori language; it provides a valid educational alternative for an ethnically and culturally distinctive population. The analysis suggests that the indigenous theory approach is representative of the position‐taking strategy that characterises post‐Marxist critical sociology of education, concluding that claims made in kaupapa Maori voice discourse are not supported by the empirical evidence which indicates a more complex social reality.     

Enhancing student engagement in student experience surveys: a mixed methods study

Background

Measuring the student experience is becoming increasingly important in higher education in the UK. Student experience surveys are used as indicators of quality and form the basis of rankings of higher education institutions. They are also used by them as tools to assist their quality enhancement initiatives. However, these surveys frequently suffer from low response rates, which can reduce the reliability and usefulness of their data. The UK Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) is a relatively new survey and suffers from a low response rate. As this survey is new, little is known about why students do not respond to it.

Purpose

This study aimed to explore the reasons why postgraduate students do not respond to the PTES.

Sample

Three hundred and fifty-five postgraduate taught students from four health faculties in one UK higher education institution completed an online survey. Of these, seven participated in one of two focus groups.

Design and methods

The online survey was completed both by students who completed the PTES in 2011 and those who did not. This provided us with cross-sectional data to compare both groups’ knowledge of PTES and their reasons for completing or not completing it. We used multivariate regression analysis to explore which variables were associated with response to PTES. We led two focus groups to explore the themes that emerged from the survey in more depth. This data was analysed by two researchers using thematic analysis.

Results

The cross-sectional data found that students who were not clear about the purpose of PTES were less likely to respond, independent of other potential predictor variables. Focus group data indicated that if postgraduate students felt a stronger connection to the university community they may be more likely to respond to PTES.

Conclusions

This study suggests that higher education institutions may wish to review their strategies for advertising student experience surveys to focus more on their purpose rather than their impact.     

关于“第三信号”理论的思考——与王令训教授商榷

И．П．巴甫洛夫于1932年提出了从本质上区别人与动物大脑反射活动的学说——两种信号系统学说。巴甫洛夫把以现实的事物为条件刺激建立起来的紊件反射称为第一信号系统。人由于社会生活和劳动,在第一信号系统之外进而产生了第二信号系统。第二信号即第一信号的信号,是以说出的、听到的、看见的语词的形式表现出来的。王令训教授在怀化学院学报2012年第1期发表的“论第三信号”一文提出了第三信号理论,认为第三信号是第二信号的代表,如“www”代表全球广域网络,“√”是“开平方”的代表等等,笔者认为这种理论有待商榷。     

Joining up the DOTs: authentic teaching and learning in Design and Technology education

This paper reports on an innovative approach for teaching creativity in Design and Technology education based on the notions of authentic learning. Working with secondary schools in England and Ireland, the research team has been developing an intervention known as ‘Designing Our Tomorrow’ (DOT) which introduced students to the important principles of Inclusive Design (also known as Universal Design). Through interview and survey data, the team gained insights into students’ responses to the DOT intervention and they found that students’ creativity and empathy were enhanced following their engagement with the intervention materials.     

Empowerment of children through circle time: myth or reality?

The focus of this paper is circle time, a widely used method in primary schools in Ireland and elsewhere. It involves children sitting in a circle with their teacher using method-specific techniques and strategies for self-esteem enhancement, promoting positive relationships and development of social skills. Qualitative research was undertaken in 2010–11 in five Irish primary school classrooms. Methods included observations, analysis of teacher journals and pre-and post-observation interviews. The theoretical and conceptual framework adopted for the research had empowerment of children as a central principle, supported by theories of self-esteem, emotional intelligence and voice and participation theory. Findings relating to rules and processes and aims and benefits are reported here. While teachers generally followed the Mosley Model of circle time, there were differences in relation to some rules and processes. Teachers in the research were aiming to develop social and personal skills, confidence, equality of voice and a positive classroom atmosphere. Benefits included enjoyment for both teachers and children, a sense of safety and ease of communication. A shift in aims and processes is suggested that would place more emphasis on social and personal skills development, the use of children's voice for agency and respect for children's right to contribute or not in circle time.     

‘Take more time to actually listen’: students' reflections on participation and negotiation in school

Behaviour in schools is an emotive topic and one of enduring political interest and sensitivity. The media often portrays schools as violent and dangerous places and young people as ever more unruly. This paper explores findings from a recent large‐scale national study on behaviour and focuses on the data from primary and secondary school students within this study. The comments and suggestions offered by students move beyond a discussion of behaviour to focus on the broader questions of participation, engagement and meanings of active citizenship in school.     

模拟电子实验中干扰信号分析及抗干扰措施

对模拟电子实验室的干扰信号进行了检测,它主要有稳定干扰信号和不稳定干扰信号两种,从屏蔽、滤波、电路布局、接地四个方面提出了抑制干扰的措施.     

基于递归图的电价信号复杂度描述

为有效描述电价的波动特性,规避电力市场风险,引入递归图及其定量递归分析法对美国加州电力市场电价信号的进行研究.研究表明电灾期与非电灾期的递归图有明显不同的结构特征,电价信号的定量递归分析中的特征量变化进一步反映了这种差异.因此,采用递归图作为电价序列的定性分析工具是有效的,用递归分析法描述电价信号复杂度是可行的.     

A comparative study of the positioning of children with special educational needs in the legislation of Britain,New Zealand and the Republic of Ireland

This paper uses Positioning Theory, a theoretical framework within Discursive Psychology, to explore the positioning of children with special educational needs in the legislation of Britain, New Zealand and the Republic of Ireland. In terms of positioning the child with special educational needs as a person, the human rights legislation in all three countries ascribes person status, as does, in general, their Child Welfare legislation. Influenced by the Warnock Report of 1978, the education legislation positions the child first as a person having a special need, thus conferring person status. In terms of positioning the child as having a voice, all three countries affirm such positioning within their general legislation, but Ireland positions the child most strongly as an active partner with a voice within its recent education legislation. Finally, in terms of positioning with the right to appropriate education, all three countries confer strong rights to education and have now moved beyond the early numerous Warnock caveats to inclusion, with the wishes of parents and the best interests of the child, as remaining positive caveats.     

You Can Ask Me If You Really Want to Know What I Think

Abstract

Recent social policy discourses in Aotearoa New Zealand focus on vulnerable children’s well-being and the detrimental, long-term and costly impacts of child poverty. The discourse pervading much of the policy labels children and young people as ‘vulnerable’ or ‘at risk’ or ‘in crisis’, a view, which we argue, is both disempowering and marginalising. We propose a shift in focus which views children and young people as agentic, capable and competent. Drawing on several small-scale research projects and reports we demonstrate how, when asked, children and young people can participate effectively in discussions about policy matters that concern them (Article 12, United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989 [UNCROC]). We have much to learn from the insights children share with us when asked, but very often existing structures, at both government and community level, do not include adequate processes to hear their voices, let alone act on what has been communicated.