Education Commons^™

Mobile Learning In Early Childhood Education: Can Pre-Service Teachers Help Practising Teachers Use New Technologies In New Ways?, Serena Davie, Frank Bate, Jean Macnish

Serena Davie

Educator Identities. Emerging Issues Within Personal And Professional Identities: Changes Experienced By Australian Pre-Service Teachers Following Professional Exposure To Educational Practice Within Childcare Settings, Doireann O'Connor, Christine Mcgunnigle, Tracy Treasure, Serena Davie

Tracy Treasure

This paper presents the findings of a research project investigating the perceptions and expectations held by pre-service teachers regarding the childcare sector. It presents the views of a group of pre-service teachers both before and after their exposure to practice within childcare following a ten week practicum. The personal experiences of the research participants impacted greatly on their evolutionary understanding of and attitude towards the childcare sector. Thematic analysis of the data produced several key concepts that illuminated issues of identity conflict across the care and education divide. This paper makes a necessary contribution to the current research context where …

Educator Identities. Emerging Issues Within Personal And Professional Identities: Changes Experienced By Australian Pre-Service Teachers Following Professional Exposure To Educational Practice Within Childcare Settings, Doireann O'Connor, Christine Mcgunnigle, Tracy Treasure, Serena Davie

Christine McGunnigle

This paper presents the findings of a research project investigating the perceptions and expectations held by pre-service teachers regarding the childcare sector. It presents the views of a group of pre-service teachers both before and after their exposure to practice within childcare following a ten week practicum. The personal experiences of the research participants impacted greatly on their evolutionary understanding of and attitude towards the childcare sector. Thematic analysis of the data produced several key concepts that illuminated issues of identity conflict across the care and education divide. This paper makes a necessary contribution to the current research context where …

Predicting Medical Student Success On Licensure Exams, Charles A. Gullo, Michael J. Mccarthy, Joseph I. Shapiro, Bobby L. Miller

Michael McCarthy

Many schools seek to predict performance on national exams required for medical school graduation using prematriculation and medical school performance data. The need for targeted intervention strategies for at-risk students has led much of this interest. Assumptions that preadmission data and high stakes in-house medical exams correlate strongly with national standardized exam performance needs to be examined. Looking at prematriculation data for predicting USMLE Step 1 performance, we found that MCAT exam totals and math-science GPA had the best prediction from a set of prematriculation values (adjusted R 2 = 11.7 %) for step 1. The addition of scores from …

Australian Curriculum Linked Lessons, Derek Hurrell

Derek Hurrell

In providing a continued focus on tasks and activities that help to illustrate key ideas embedded in the new Australian Curriculum, in this issue we focus, on Algebra in the Number and Algebra strand.

Australian Curriculum Linked Lessons, Derek Hurrell

Derek Hurrell

In providing a continued focus on tasks and activities that help to illustrate key ideas embedded in the new Australian Curriculum, in this issue we focus on the Statistics and Probability strand.

Australian Curriculum Linked Lessons, Derek Hurrell

Derek Hurrell

In providing a continued focus on tasks and activities that help to illustrate key ideas embedded in the new Australian Curriculum, the focus in this issue is on Measurement in the Measurement and Geometry strand.

Mathematical Games: Just Trivial Pursuits?, Derek Hurrell, Paul Swan

Derek Hurrell

No abstract provided.

A Snapshot Of The Use Of Ict In Primary Mathematics Classrooms In Western Australia, Lorraine Day

Lorraine Day

Lorraine Day reports on some of the findings of the Teaching Teachers for the Future Project. The Australian Curriculum constantly makes reference to digital technologies so we believe our readers will be interested to see how teachers are making use of technology in classrooms across Western Australia. The results may be used to 'benchmark' what is going on in your school.

Development Of A Mobile-Optimised Website To Support Students With Special Needs Transitioning From Primary To Secondary Settings, Dianne Chambers, Anne Coffey

Anne Coffey

With an increasing number of students with special needs being included in regular classroom environments, consideration of, and planning for, a smooth transition between different school settings is important for parents, classroom teachers and school administrators. The transition between primary and secondary school can be difficult for students with special needs, particularly in the areas of organisation and social interaction. Technology can be used to assist students to make this transition more effectively and may work to minimise any difficulties involved in the transition. In this article the authors describe transition considerations, and technology use for students with special needs …

Relationships: The Key To Successful Transition From Primary To Secondary School?, Anne Coffey

Anne Coffey

Although change can be considered an inevitable part of life, the process itself can be both challenging and confronting. This is no less the case than for early adolescents as they negotiate the transition from primary to secondary school. Whilst this transition can be considered a regular part of the formal school experience, it can represent a significant challenge to all who are involved including students, parents and teachers. As schools plan to support these stakeholders through the process an understanding of the issues faced by each group is important. Whilst transition may be fraught a focus on the relational …

Inclusive Education For Students With Disability: A Review Of The Best Evidence In Relation To Theory And Practice, Chris Irene Forlin, Dianne J. Chambers, Tim Loreman, Joanne Deppler, Umesh Sharma

Dianne J Chambers

This report was commissioned by the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) for the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR - now DOE). Inclusive education has been identified as a focus area for investigation, toward exploring what research has found to work in improving not only school attendance but also school achievement and other learning outcomes for school students with disability. This report provides an overview of inclusive education, which will inform the work of the Schools Disability Advisory Council (SDAC). SDAC was established to provide informed advice and information to Government in relation to school …

A Multi-Perspective Collaborative On Teacher Learning For Teachers Of Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Elizabeth A. West, Phyllis Jones, Dianne Chambers, Teresa Whitehurst

Dianne J Chambers

The purpose of this multi-perspective collaborative research activity was to analyze moments of teacher learning as perceived by a group of teachers who educate students with the label of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The researchers in this project acknowledge the value of hearing teachers’ perspectives on what works for them in their professional learning. This perspective is generated from surveys distributed to inservice teachers at three Universities (two located within the USA and one situated in Australia) and one Residential School (UK). Five overarching themes emerged at the analysis stage and relate to: practical experience, pre-service training, in-service training, mentoring …

Inclusivity Imperatives And The Australian National Curriculum, Richard G. Berlach, Dianne Chambers

Richard Berlach

With work currently being undertaken on formulating Australia's first national curriculum, now seems an opportune time to review the current state of play with regard to how well inclusivity is being represented in the developing documentation. An accurate understanding of “what is” is often the first step in preparing for “what may be” on a much broader scale. Accordingly, this essay addresses three matters, and does so by way of engaging in interpretive documentary analysis. First, the notion of inclusivity in education per se is introduced, and the concept itself defined. Second, an examination is undertaken of how the various …

Conceptualizing Planning In Kindergarten And Preprimary Settings: An Exploratory Study With Preservice Teachers, Sofia Elliott, Richard G. Berlach

Richard Berlach

Teachers of young children conceptualize their work in a variety of ways. Understandably then, the early years planning documentation which has emerged over time, has reflected mtiltiple planning preferences as evidenced by the varied formats and processes in existence. The development of Australia's first nationally-based Early Years Learning Framework (2009) provides a unique opportunity for reconsidering the nature and purpose of planning documentation. This article considers how documentation, based on the framework, can be used to guide the development of a planning model for kindergarten and preprimary (K-PP) children. The proposed model was created for the purpose of facilitating an …

The Cyclical Integration Model As A Way Of Managing Major Educational Change, Richard G. Berlach

Richard Berlach

Where minds meet, there lies the change vector. With regard to change management, however, minds regularly fail to meet in the crucial change space. They either unwittingly zip past each other, deliberately avoid one another, or worse still, collide with excruciating impact. This paper examines the interrelated role of government, the public service and professionals in successfully transitioning major change initiatives. It is argued that unless these agencies operate in synchrony, change negotiation is likely to be hampered. To this end, a model of “Cyclical Integration” is presented and supported by driving questions for each of the three agencies facilitating …

The Golden Thread: Educator Connectivity As A Central Pillar In The Development Of Creativity Through Childhood Education. An Irish Life History Study, Doireann O'Connor

Dee O'Connor

This paper presents the narratives of five creative Irish Adults who contributed to the study by sharing their childhood education experiences. The five participants are all of different ages and occupations. All identify themselves as highly creative people and all worked with me over the course of this study to identify how this creativity developed within their engagement with the Irish childhood education system. All excelled with higher education and they share a high degree of success within their careers. Between them, they express their creativity across five key genres. These are: Science, Engineering, The Arts, Entrepreneurship and Social Entrepreneurship. …

Educator Identities. Emerging Issues Within Personal And Professional Identities: Changes Experienced By Australian Pre-Service Teachers Following Professional Exposure To Educational Practice Within Childcare Settings, Doireann O'Connor, Christine Mcgunnigle, Tracy Treasure, Serena Davie

Dee O'Connor

This paper presents the findings of a research project investigating the perceptions and expectations held by pre-service teachers regarding the childcare sector. It presents the views of a group of pre-service teachers both before and after their exposure to practice within childcare following a ten week practicum. The personal experiences of the research participants impacted greatly on their evolutionary understanding of and attitude towards the childcare sector. Thematic analysis of the data produced several key concepts that illuminated issues of identity conflict across the care and education divide. This paper makes a necessary contribution to the current research context where …

Upper Secondary School Religion And Life Course: Perceptions Of The Inaugural Cohort, Richard G. Berlach, Chris Hackett

Chris Hackett

In 2009, the course Religion and Life was made available to upper secondary students completing the Western Australian Certificate of Education. Across the State, nineteen Catholic schools offered the Stage Three version of this course, with the first cohort of students graduating in 2010. The purpose of this paper is to capture the perceptions of this inaugural cohort, both teachers and students, to determine whether the stated course outcomes had been achieved. Both quantitative and qualitative data were gathered for analysis. Findings indicated that even though the matter of resourcing requires further attention, overall, stakeholders were satisfied that the course …

Class 6 School Factors In Afghanistan 2013 : The Relationship Between School Factors And Student Outcomes From A Learning Assessment Of Mathematical, Reading And Writing Literacy, Tim Friedman, Sally Robertson, Stephanie Templeton, Maurice Walker

Dr Tim Friedman

In 2012, the Ministry of Education, Afghanistan, engaged the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) as a partner to support the development of a national learning assessment program in Afghanistan. To achieve this goal, the Learning Assessment unit of the Ministry of Education and ACER have collaborated to design and implement the Monitoring Trends in Educational Growth (MTEG) program in Afghanistan. MTEG is designed as a long-term monitoring program with one focus on trends in achievement outcomes in single class levels over time, and another focus on the growth of achievement in cohorts throughout the school cycle, from Class 3 …

Assessment Of English Language Acquisition In Young Dual Language Learners: Towards The Development Of An Observational Tool (Book Chapter), Cristina Gillanders, Dina C. Castro

Cristina Gillanders

No abstract provided.

What Are Effective Teacher Behaviors And Interaction Styles To Support Ell Students Prek – 3rd? (Book Chapter), Cristina Gillanders

Cristina Gillanders

About the book: Young Dual Language Learners provides clear and concise expert responses to questions that early childhood and elementary education administrators and preschool directors are asking about educating young children who come from homes where languages other than English are spoken. This practitioner friendly guide helps all constituents navigate the landscape of early childhood education in linguistically and culturally responsive ways. It addresses such topics as the role of a child’s home language in the educational process, proper identification of young dual language learners (DLLs); standards and regulations, customizing instructional programs, interviewing and staffing, leadership and professional development, collaborating …

Apa Goal #5 Professional Development: Assessment Outcomes For Sophomore And Senior Psychology Majors, Eric Barlow, Talegria Brown, Kinsey Bolinder, R. Eric Landrum

R. Eric Landrum

Measuring Apa Goal 2: Critical Thinking And The Psychology Major, Kinsey Bolinder, Eric Barlow, Talegria Brown, R. Eric Landrum

R. Eric Landrum

Apa Guidelines For The Undergraduate Psychology Major, Version 2.0, R. Eric Landrum

R. Eric Landrum

To Go Or Not To Go: Graduate Study In Psychology, Talegria Brown, Kinsey Bolinder, Eric Barlow, Matthew Genuchi, R. Eric Landrum

R. Eric Landrum

The First-Semester Student: The Legal-Problem-Solving Apprentice, Kylie Fletcher

Kylie Fletcher

Students are asked to answer hypothetical legal problems very early in their studies. They are typically introduced to legal-problem-solving processes (eg IRAC, FILAC, MIRAT and CLEO) very early in their first- semester subjects. An ability to answer hypothetical legal problems is critical to the student’s success at law school. In my role as a teacher in a firstsemester subject (Principles of Contractual Liability), I observe that some students remain confused about the process that they adopt to answer hypothetical legal problems well into their first semester. Further, many students fail to understand that the process they adopt can be applied …

Discrepant Stakeholder Perspectives On Graduate Employability Strategies, Shelley Kinash, Linda Crane, Madelaine Judd, Cecily Knight

Linda Crane

A literature review identified 12 strategies that have been empirically linked to improvements in graduate employability. A survey methodology was used to investigate self-reported use and/or perspectives on these strategies among four stakeholder groups. The following questions were asked: to students – What strategies are you using to improve your graduate employability; to graduates – What strategies did you use to improve your employability?; to higher education career development professionals and educators – Which of the following employability strategies do you provide for students?; and to employers – Which of the following strategies undertaken by students does your organisation value …

Center For The Advancement Of Research And Teaching, Patricia Fanning

Patricia J. Fanning

No abstract provided.

Science Fiction In Education: Case Studies From Classroom Implementations, Charalambos Vrasidas, Lucy Avraamidou, Katerina Theodoridou, Sotiris Themistokleous, Petros Panaou

Petros Panaou

This manuscript reports on findings from the implementation of the EU project “Science Fiction in Education” (Sci-Fi-Ed). The project provides teachers with tools, training, and guidance that will assist them in enhancing their teaching, making science more attractive to students, connecting it with real-life issues such as the environment, and providing girls and other marginalised groups with access to science resources, material, and learning opportunities. The central project idea is to achieve this by incorporating science fiction (Sci-Fi) in science teaching. The aim of this paper is to present the framework and the lessons learned from designing and implementing the …