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Full-Text Articles in Education
Effective Teaching Practices For Students With And Without Learning Difficulties: Constructivism As A Legitimate Theory Of Learning And Of Teaching?, Ken Rowe
Student learning processes
Much of what is commonly claimed as ‘effective teaching practice’ and implemented during the early and middle years of schooling in Australian schools, for either mainstream students or for those experiencing learning difficulties, is not grounded in findings from evidencebased research. Of particular concern is that despite a lack of supporting evidence for its utility, the prevailing educational philosophy of constructivism (a theory of self-directed learning rather than a theory of teaching) continues to have marked influences on shaping teachers’ interpretations of how they should teach – aided and abetted by the content emphasis given during pre-service teacher education, as …
Assessment During The Early And Middle Years: Getting The Basics Right, Ken Rowe
Assessment During The Early And Middle Years: Getting The Basics Right, Ken Rowe
Student learning processes
Following a contextual introduction and a brief discussion of the fundamental importance of monitoring growth, this paper draws from emerging evidence-based research findings and ‘state-of-the art’ practice in assessment and reporting of students’ developmental and learning progress. The paper argues that the monitoring of individual progress over time requires both diagnostic and developmental assessments of such progress on well-constructed empirical scales (or quantitative ‘maps’) that are qualitatively described. The use of such ‘maps’ enables early detection of potential ‘risk factors’, and the monitoring of both individuals and groups across the years of schooling. Such ‘maps’ and their reporting products constitute …
School Performance: Australian State/Territory Comparisons Of Student Achievements In National And International Studies, Ken Rowe
Student learning processes
Policy activities related to outcomes and standards-based educational performance indicators and their links with growing demands for accountability, standards monitoring, benchmarking, school effectiveness and reform are widespread and well established in many countries throughout the world. While the long-term goals of school education may be expressed as the enhancement of young peoples’ access to and participation in society, as well as preparation for meeting the constantly changing demands of the modern workplace, the most direct and readily accessible measures of student and school performance are obtained from assessments of students’ academic achievements. Despite several limitations, achievement data obtained from both …
Young People’S Perceptions Of What It Means To Be An Australian, Nola Purdie, Rhonda Craven
Young People’S Perceptions Of What It Means To Be An Australian, Nola Purdie, Rhonda Craven
Student learning processes
The question “What does it mean to be an Australian?” has significant implications for understanding factors contributing to social cohesion; explaining and promoting ourselves to others; imagining and shaping Australia’s future; and shaping civics curriculum. The purpose of this study was to identify key components of Australian national identity of a sample of Australians (N = 418) comprised of primary (N=71); secondary (N=146), Technical and Further Education (TAFE) (N=59) and University (n=142) students. Participants completed a written response to the question “What does it mean to be Australian?” Responses were analysed and coded by two coders using content analysis to …