The preparation of teachers for multigrade teaching

A large proportion of teachers throughout the world teach in multigrade classrooms, or classes with more than one grade level. It is reliably predicted that the number of multigrade classes will increase in the future. This paper addresses the issue of teacher education for multigrade. The main thesis of this paper is that the professional knowledge and skills that are relevant and necessary to teaching effectively in single-grade contexts are also relevant and necessary for effective multigrade teaching. However, many of these skills need to be given a specific multigrade emphasis in the context of the preparation of teachers for multigrade teaching. This does not necessitate separate teacher education programmes for multigrade teachers. The paper makes comparisons between multigrade and single-grade teaching in terms of outcomes and teaching practices and highlights the importance of effective teacher education programmes that cater for the needs of teachers in a broad rather than a narrow sense. The content of programmes aimed at the specific preparation of multigrade teachers are examined, and a categorisation of specific areas of content that need particular emphasis in the context of teacher education for multigrade is provided.     

An appropriate curriculum for 4–5‐year‐old children in Northern Ireland: comparing play‐based and formal approaches

This paper reports on an investigation into the quality of the learning experiences for 4–5‐year‐old children in Northern Ireland schools in the context of the debate about play‐based and formal approaches to learning and teaching. Detailed observations were carried out in 70 Year 1 classes: 38 in traditional Year 1 classes where the Northern Ireland National Curriculum is being delivered, and 32 in Enriched Curriculum classes, where a more developmentally appropriate, play‐based and child‐centred curriculum is being piloted. The quality of the learning experience in each class was assessed using a structured observation schedule, i.e. Walsh and Gardner's Quality learning instrument. Overall the Enriched Curriculum appears to be providing 4–5‐year‐old children in Northern Ireland with a higher‐quality learning experience. The children are given more opportunities to act independently, are engaged in more challenging activities and are more learning disposed, and they show higher levels of emotional, social and physical well‐being. The findings are discussed in terms of what constitutes an appropriate curriculum for this age group.     

Outsourcing in higher education: the known and unknown about the practice

Outsourcing or privatising services in higher education is a common practice, but what do we really know about it? Is outsourcing effective? It is imperative that these questions be addressed since outsourcing is becoming a norm in higher education institutions. Scholars, institutional administrators and policymakers need to understand the outsourcing phenomenon and whether it is beneficial. However, there has been little research documenting the cost-effectiveness or difference in the quality of service associated with outsourcing. This study reviews 30 empirical articles to find out whether outsourcing is effective, examines the knowns and unknowns about outsourcing, and the theories often used in outsourcing in higher education. The findings show that the effect of outsourcing varies across the institution, and ranges from the positive, negative, mixed, to no effect. Over time, outsourcing may become expensive for both institutions and students because of the profit factors intrinsic within private enterprises.     

以质取胜,开拓质量技术监督新思路

本文阐述了以质取胜的必要性及开拓质量技术监督工作新思路。     

制约学校职业教育有效需求的因素分析与对策

学校职业教育的有效需求是科学制定职业教育发展规划所必须关注的重要因素。当前可供选择的生源数、文化观念及对学校职业教育的认同度、家庭经济支撑能力、就业拉动水平、社会职业培训的质与量、学校职业教育投资收益率等均制约着学校职业教育的有效需求。为此,我们需要更新社会人才观念、提高技能型人才待遇：凸显办学特色、拓展教育市场、完善服务体系以刺激学校职业教育的有效需求。     

加强高校思想政治教育的思考

长期以来，高校教育中存在重成绩而轻品德的倾向，教师以出卖知识为天职，学生为文凭而读书。思想政治教育被弱化、淡化，大学生的社会责任感、义务感和历史使命感淡薄乃至缺失是其必然结果。在网络信息时代，我们必须转变观念，要注重思想道德修养，又要着力培养人的能力与个性，促进人的全面发展。要探索高校思想政治教育的新途径、新方法，注入新的活力，实现新的转机，创造新的辉煌。     

高校资料室怎样才能做到专业情报的高效服务

高校资料室是本校图书情报工作的重要组成部分 ,在促进教学科研、深入教育教学改革中起着非常重要的作用 ;必须做好情报研究工作 ,积极主动 ,采取有效措施 ,实现专业情报的高效服务。     

“实践的转向”和“性与天道”的统一——论中国马克思主义者建构天道观和心性论的独特思路

哲学作为智慧之学，既要认识世界又要认识自己，所以天道观和心性论自古以来就是哲学的基本内容。中国马克思主义者，通过对实践观点的创造性发挥，立足于实践过程中改造客观世界和改造主观世界相统一的基本原理，形成了建构天道观和心性论的独特思路，充分展示了马克思主义哲学的“实践的转向”的理论潜力。本文对这一思路的形成作了一番历史的考察。     

论实施高中化学生活化教学的有效方法

在我国普通高中各个课程中化学这门基础课程与其他的学科有很大不同,它的教学应用性和教学实践性非常强。随着现代化教育改革的逐渐深入,各种学习教育方法不断涌现,而生活化教学更加能让学生感受到这门课程的魅力。     

基于信息技术创设教学情境,提高小学生数学核心素养

信息技术的快速发展为小学数学课堂融入了更多的生命力和活力,其也成为小学数学教育中的重要教学工具。教师应该重视在信息技术环境下创设多姿多彩的教学情境,让学生在情境中体验数学,感受数学知识;引导学生能够在情境中学会用数学的眼光看待问题、解决问题,促进学生数学学科核心素养的提升。