Education Commons^™

Στοίχημα Η Διαφύλαξη Των Εργασιακών Σχέσεων, Nicos Trimikliniotis

Nicos Trimikliniotis

Η σημερινή κατάσταση στην εργασία και απασχόληση με τα πρωτοφανή για τα Κυπριακά δεδομένα ποσοστά ανεργίας είναι εξαιρετικά δύσκολη. Παρά τις σημαντικές μεταρρυθμίσεις, π.χ. ο νόμος για τη διασφάλιση του δικαιώματος συνδικαλιστικής οργάνωσης και για εκσυγχρονισμό των εργασιακών σχέσεων κ.ά. το σύστημα εργασιακών σχέσεων σήμερα αντιμετωπίζει τις μεγαλύτερες προκλήσεις μετά το 1974. Το σύστημα συλλογικών διαπραγματεύσεων και συλλογικών συμβάσεων, η συνδικαλιστική προστασία και διεκδίκηση έχουν δημιουργήσει ένα επιτυχημένο πλαίσιο. Τα βασικά χαρακτηριστικά του είναι το υψηλό επίπεδο συνδικαλιστικής πυκνότητας, οι συλλογικές διαπραγματεύσεις και συμβάσεις και η Αυτόματη τιμαριθμική αναπροσαρμογή (ΑΤΑ) που αποτελούν αποτελεσματικά μέσα αποφυγής ανούσιων εργασιακών συγκρούσεων διασφαλίζοντας τουλάχιστον …

Women Of African Descent: Persistence In Completing A Doctorate, Vannetta L. Bailey-Iddrisu

Vannetta L. Bailey-Iddrisu

This study examines the educational persistence of women of African descent (WOAD) in pursuit of a doctorate degree at universities in the southeastern United States. WOAD are women of African ancestry born outside the African continent. These women are heirs to an inner dogged determination and spirit to survive despite all odds (Pulliam, 2003, p. 337).This study used Ellis’s (1997) Three Stages for Graduate Student Development as the conceptual framework to examine the persistent strategies used by these women to persist to the completion of their studies.

Task-Based Language Teaching As A Suitable Didactic Method For The Teaching And Learning Of Second And Foreign Languages, Kerwin A. Livingstone

Kerwin A. Livingstone

This research seeks to highlight that Task-Based Language Teaching is a suitable didactic method for the teaching and learning of second and foreign languages. The development and implementation of a teaching module for Spanish as a foreign language, in the face to face environment, is contemplated. The primary objective is to portray how methodological principles from Task-Based Language Teaching can be combined effectively in designing activities for face to face contexts. In this regard, empirical evidence is analysed in order to determine the effectiveness of the mixed methodology in the teaching-learning of Spanish as a foreign language, in the said …

Great Schools Are Not An Accident: Standards And Promising Practices For Educating Boys Of Color, Rhonda Tsoi-A-Fatt Bryant, Ron Walker, Edward Fergus

Rhonda Tsoi-A-Fatt Bryant

No abstract provided.

Attempting Preventing Reinventing The Wheel: Establishing Chicano/A-Latino/A Studies At A Midwest Urban University, Joseph A. Valades, Theresa Barron-Mckeagney, Michael Carroll, Lourdes Gouveia, Lucy Garza

Michael W. Carroll

“This session will focus on the personal observations of three faculty who sought to establish a minor in Chicano/a-Latino/a Studies . . . Follow our graphic accounts as we wrestle with the decision of actually embarking on such a quest amidst our thencurrent demands of doctoral coursework, research, teaching and tenure.” In the fall semester of 1995, Chicano/a Studies was formally recognized as a "minor" at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Two years previously, three faculty members from the College of Public Affairs and Community Service at UNO diligently worked to gather student and faculty support and put the …

Reconsidering The Model Minority And Black Mormon Discourses, Nicholas Daniel Hartlep

Nicholas Daniel Hartlep, Ph.D.

No abstract provided.

The Embodiment Of Tolerance In Discourses And Practices Addressing Cultural Diversity In Schools, The Case Of Cyprus, Nicos Trimikliniotis, Corina Demetriou, Elena Papamichael

Nicos Trimikliniotis

The report examines the processes, methods and Practices of the Cypriot educational system as the

embodiment of tolerance in discourses and practices addressing cultural diversity in schools. These are

mediated by the perceptions of policy makers, the convictions of stakeholders involved in the processes and abilities of and tools made available to educationalists. In examining the nature of the educational system and particularly the way in which the system treats its minoritised individuals and groups, the philosophy which emerges is that of viewing diversity as a disadvantage and a deficiency that needs to be ‘treated’, against a backdrop of essentialising …

El Enfoque Cooperativo Y Su Idoneidad Para La Enseñanza-Aprendizaje De Segundas Lenguas Y Lenguas Extranjeras, Kerwin A. Livingstone

Kerwin A. Livingstone

Este trabajo es un intento por poner en relieve que el Enfoque Cooperativo es una de las metodologías didácticas más idóneas para la enseñanza-aprendizaje de segundas lenguas (L2) y lenguas extranjeras (LE). El Aprendizaje Cooperativo es la actividad de aprendizaje en grupo organizada de tal manera que el aprendizaje sea dependiente del intercambio socialmente estructurado de información entre aprendices en grupos, y en el que cada aprendiz es responsable de su propio aprendizaje, y es motivado a aumentar el aprendizaje de los demás. Se da un esbozo de los orígenes del Enfoque Cooperativo y las razones por su introducción e …

Artificial Intelligence And Error Correction In Second And Foreign Language Pedagogy, Kerwin A. Livingstone

Kerwin A. Livingstone

This paper is an attempt to ascertain the suitability of computers for second and foreign language (SL/FL) error correction, especially those made by SL/FL learners. For this purpose, the handling of such errors proposed in Second Language Acquisition (SLA) literature will be examined. Subsequently the technologies capable of evaluating student output and identifying and correcting Non-Native Speaker (NNS) errors will be examined. Though it will be made quite clear that the computer cannot substitute a human being in total language processing, some strengths of artificial intelligence in partial language processing will be pointed out and their suitability for L2 error …

Are Teacher Education Programs Failing The Nation’S Urban Schools? A Closer Look At Pre-Service Teachers’ Beliefs About Working With Inner-City Students, Servet Celik

Servet Celik

To address the issue of pre-service teachers being under-prepared for work in multicultural and impoverished environments in America’s urban schools, teacher education programs have taken steps to improve diversity-oriented curricula and provide relevant fieldwork experience. However, research indicates that a large proportion of teacher candidates still do not have the necessary skills to deal with students from divergent upbringings. This interpretive study investigated the beliefs of pre-service teachers about urban students and how well their teacher education programs are addressing the issues of working in inner-city schools. The results revealed that, although some progress has been made, a significant gap …

How To Tame A Wild Tongue: Language Rights In The United States, Panayota Gounari

Panayota Gounari

The call for a "common language" and a "shared identity that makes us Americans" not only hides a more pernicious social and cultural agenda but it is also part of the present attempt toward the 'reorganization of a 'cultural hegemony' as evidenced in the conservatives on the multiplicity of languages spoken in the United States. This ultimately guarantees that these groups will remain repressed, marginalized and cut off from the wealth of resources that the dominant group has full access. As a result, the current debate over bilingual education has very little to do with language per se; the real …

Beyond Dogma: The Role Of "Evolutionary" Science And The "Embodiment" Of Archetypal Energies, Carroy U. Ferguson

Carroy U "Cuf" Ferguson, Ph.D.

At individual and collective levels (locally, nationally, and globally), humanity is currently entertaining many challenges and opportunities for growth. In my view, these challenges and opportunities are connected to Energy shifts that are taking place on the planet, and the inability of some to move beyond dogma in relating to these Energy shifts. By its pre- and proscriptive nature, dogma fosters limiting beliefs that often interfere with how best to relate to these Energy shifts as vibrational beings in an evolving, vibrational world. Here, I want to briefly identify some of the limiting effects of dogma, and the role of …

Finding My Way Into Opposition: Joel And Jon, Michael C. Vocino

michael c vocino

Short story about homophobia and gay life in the 1970s.

The Pros And Cons Of Progress In A Neoliberal World: Transforming The Lives Of Men, Women And Children, Roberto Bahruth

Roberto E. Bahruth

Careful consideration of changes occurring in a globalized world turning on neoliberalism provides insight into the many ways, both positive and negative, that cultural foundations are affected in societies around the world. Young people today are growing up in a world changing at the speed of the microchip with clear implications regarding the ways in which humanity is transforming for men, women and children alike. It is time for women to assert their voices as equal partners in the struggle for democracy, basic human rights, and social justice.

Sociological Perspectives On Ethnicity And Education In China: Views From Chinese And English Literatures, Hua-Yu Sebastian Cherng, Emily C. Hannum, Chunping Lu

Emily C. Hannum

This paper reviews Chinese- and English-language literature on ethnic minorities and education in China. Six major research topics emerge from the Chinese-language research: (1) Marxism and ethnic minority education; (2) patriotism and national unity in education for ethnic minority students; (3) multicultural education; (4) determinants of ethnic differences in education; (5) school facilities and teacher quality; and (6) preferential / affirmative action policies. Four research themes are identified from the English-language literature: (1) policy overviews; (2) education and ethnic identity; (3) incentives and disincentives for buy-in to the education system; and (4) educational stratification. The majority of quantitative research from …

Falling Into It: Novice Tesol Teacher Thinking, Mark K. Warford, Jenelle Reeves

Mark K Warford

The authors conducted a qualitative study in order to understand the preconceptions novice TESOL teachers might have about teaching English language. Long interviews were conducted with nine students (six native English Speakers and three non-native speakers (NNS)) enrolled in one of two courses offered in a TESOL teacher education program. None of the participants had experience as an in-service teacher. Inductive analysis of tape transcripts suggested the presence of several conceptual themes discussed in the teacher thinking literature. Findings suggest that novice TESOL teachers, like their more experienced counterparts, have a system of metaphors to conceptualize teaching. The apprenticeship of …

The Importance Of Feedback And Reinforcement In Computer Assisted Language Learning, Kerwin A. Livingstone

Kerwin A. Livingstone

A major focus of research in Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS) has been the identification and implementation of Feedback Strategies that facilitate student learning. Much of this research has been carried out on procedural skills teaching systems in areas such as algebra, physics or computer programming. Nonetheless, very little emphasis has been placed on studies and research on these types of strategies for language learning (Intelligent Tutoring Systems for Foreign Language). This article is an attempt to clearly establish the importance and necessity of feedback and reinforcement in Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL). A brief description will be given about CALL, …

Πολιτική Ένταξης Των Μεταναστών Στην Κύπρο, Nicos Trimikliniotis

Nicos Trimikliniotis

Το ζήτημα της ένταξης των μεταναστών προβάλλει ως μείζον διακύβευμα εφόσον χωρίς την ένταξη τους απειλείται ο δημοκρατικός ιστός της Κυπριακής κοινωνίας, εφόσον το πολυπολιτισμικό στοιχείο αποτελεί βασικό συστατικό του πυρήνα της κυπριακής κοινωνίας και οικονομίας εδώ και μια εικοσαετία. Το ζήτημα τούτο αποκτά μεγαλύτερη σημασία σε συνθήκες οικονομικής κρίσης, εφόσον οι μετανάστες είναι κατά κανόνα εύκολος στόχος και κατεξοχήν αποδιοπομπαίος τράγος για τα κακώς έχοντα στη κοινωνία

Elementary School Students' Foreign Language Learning Demotivation: A Mixed Methods Study Of Korean Efl Context, Tae-Young Kim Dr., Hyo--Sun Seo

Dr. Tae-Young Kim (김태영, 金兌英)

This mixed methods study investigates Korean elementary school students’ foreign language learning demotivation and their teachers’ perception of student demotivation. A questionnaire was conducted with 6,301 elementary school students from Grades 3 to 6 to examine their motivational changes. This revealed a decrease in all motivational constructs – instrumental, intrinsic, integrative, parental/academic extrinsic motivations – as the students advanced throughout the school grades. The findings were further analyzed by using interviews and open-ended questionnaires with 17 English teachers. They attributed the students’ demotivation to three elements: 1) the negative impact of the English teacher such as incongruence with students’ needs, …

The L2 Motivational Self System Of Korean Efl Students: Cross-Grade Survey Analysis, Tae-Young Kim

Dr. Tae-Young Kim (김태영, 金兌英)

Due to the increase in international trade, mass transportation, and information technology, the role of English as a global language has changed, and conventional EFL/ESL motivation needs paradigmatic reconstruction. This study compares Dörnyei’s (2009) recent proposal of a second language (L2) motivational self-system with Gardner’s (1985) socio-educational model by investigating 2,783 Korean students’ English learning motivation from Grades 3 through 12 in 14 different schools. The cross-grade survey results indicated that Korean EFL learners’ motivational intensity showed a curvilinear pattern, which means their motivation consistently decreased until Grade 9 but increased from Grades 10 to 12. A series of regression …

Korean Secondary School Students' L2 Learning Motivation: Comparing L2 Motivational Self-System With Socio-Educational Model, Yoon-Kyoung Kim, Tae-Young Kim

Dr. Tae-Young Kim (김태영, 金兌英)

In order to confirm ecological validity of Dörnyei’s second language motivational self, the present study investigated 495 South Korean secondary school students’ L2 learning motivation and motivated behavior by using a questionnaire survey. The participants’ ideal L2 self, ought-to L2 self, integrativeness, and instrumentality were examined and compared to identify which motivational factor had the most effect on their motivated L2 learning behavior. Among Korean secondary school students, the concept of integrativeness was replaced with the ideal L2 self as a more appropriate concept for understanding Korean secondary school students’ L2 learning motivation. As for instrumentality, promotional aspects demonstrated a …

Korean Efl Students' Amotivation To Learn English: An Activity Theory Analysis, Tae-Young Kim

Dr. Tae-Young Kim (김태영, 金兌英)

By using Dörnyei’s (2009) L2 motivational self-system, this qualitative study investigates 39 Korean EFL students’ amotivation of English learning, or the lack of motivation. Theoretically, the study was guided by Leont’ev’s (1978) activity theory, which emphasizes the unique mediation between the individual (as an active agent representing ontogenetic human development) and the social domain. I argue that an AT perspective can coherently explain students’ amotivation by paying attention to the students’ socioeducational contexts. Particularly, hakbul, or degreeocracy widespread among students and parents in Korea, is attributed to be the major reason for student amotivated but sustained English learning.

The research …

Niños Cultural Y Lingüisticamente Diversos: Apuntes De Una Experiencia Docente, Claudia Peralta Nash

Claudia Peralta

He regresado a California después de ausentarme varios años (cinco para ser exacta) y tomo conciencia de que los requisitos académicos e institucionales, tanto para los alumnos como para los estudiantes en práctica docente, han cambiado tremendamente. Lo que en un principio eran "ideas" de requisitos, hoy se han convertido en "requisitos" que pueden impedir la obtención de un diploma o incluso frustrar la consecución de un título profesional, como por ejemplo el de educadora.

A Review Of The Literature On Bilingual Education, Lorna Rivera

Lorna Rivera

Changes in bilingual education will have an important impact on the future well-being of the growing Latino community in Massachusetts. This report summarizes some of the major research findings regarding the purposes and effectiveness of bilingual education. Questions that will be addressed include: What are the existing bilingual education models? Which bilingual education models work best? Should there be time limits for bilingual education? Do immigrants resist learning English? Does speaking another language interfere with learning? Should bilingual students be exempt from state-mandated testing? Are bilingual teachers qualified? Are bilingual education students more likely to dropout? It is hoped that …

Latino Students In Springfield: An Educational Profile, Lorna Rivera

Lorna Rivera

With financial support from the National Council of La Raza, the Gastón Institute is developing "Educational Profiles" for the sixteen Massachusetts public school districts with the highest Latino student enrollments: Boston, Springfield, Lawrence, Worcester, Holyoke, Lowell, Lynn, Chelsea, New Bedford, Brockton, Fitchburg, Salem, Chicopee, Framingham, Haverhill, and Somerville. The profiles present basic data provided by the Massachusetts Department of Education including information on student enrollment, MCAS results, dropout rates, and student aspirations. We hope this information will be used by Latino students, parents, educators, and policy-makers to make informed decisions and improve public education for Latino students in Massachusetts.

Latino Students In Chelsea: An Educational Profile, Lorna Rivera

Lorna Rivera

With financial support from the National Council of La Raza, the Gastón Institute is developing "Educational Profiles" for the sixteen Massachusetts public school districts with the highest Latino student enrollments: Boston, Springfield, Lawrence, Worcester, Holyoke, Lowell, Lynn, Chelsea, New Bedford, Brockton, Fitchburg, Salem, Chicopee, Framingham, Haverhill, and Somerville. The profiles present basic data provided by the Massachusetts Department of Education including information on student enrollment, MCAS results, dropout rates, and student aspirations. We hope this information will be used by Latino students, parents, educators, and policy-makers to make informed decisions and improve public education for Latino students in Massachusetts.

A Renaissance On The Eastside: Motivating Inner-City Youth Through Art, Marybeth Gasman, Sibby Anderson-Thompkins

Marybeth Gasman

Research tells us that children are more susceptible to temptations between the hours of 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.—the hours following the end of the school day when parents are not yet home from work. This study looks at the "life histories" of child participants in the Artists in the Making (AIM) program—a program that aims to motivate inner-city youth through the use of visual arts classes. Despite the diversity of the children who participated in the AIM program, several common themes emerged from the interview process: self-discovery, problem-solving skills, opportunities for positive risk taking, and the mastery of artistic …

A Multi-Platform Application Suite For Enhancing South Asian Language Pedagogy, Tao Bai, Christopher K. Chung, Konstantin Läufer, Daisy Rockwell, George K. Thiruvathukal

Konstantin Läufer

This interdisciplinary project explores the potential for handheld/wireless (H/W) technology in the context of language education within and beyond the classroom. Specifically, we have designed and implemented a suite of multi-platform (desktop/laptop, handheld, and browser) applications to enhance the teaching of South Asian languages such as Hindi-Urdu. Such languages are very difficult to learn, let alone write, and H/W devices (with their handwriting/drawing capabilities) can play a significant role in overcoming the learning curve. The initial application suite includes a character/word tracer, a word splitter/joiner, a smart flashcard with audio, contextual augmented stories for reading comprehension, and a poetic metronome. …

Assessing And Instilling Hopefulness: A Case Study Of Swazi Youth, Connie Titone Dr., Laura Stefanik, Robert Mcnamara

connie titone

Hopefulness is a critical quality of human beings that provides us with the capacity to set goals and overcome adversity in the pursuit of those goals. Likewise, successful achievement of goals sustains hopefulness. High levels of hope can therefore positively affect a student’s education. The psychologist C.R. Snyder, a leading researcher of hope theory, developed the Children’s Hope Scale (CHS) to assess and analyze the state of hopefulness in children ages 8-17. This study expands on Snyder’s data by analyzing the results of the CHS administered to 38 students at an orphanage in Swaziland. The results presented here show that …

Breaking Down Barriers: Academic Obstacles Of First-Generation Students At Research Universities, Michael J. Stebleton, Krista Soria

Michael J. Stebleton

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceived academic obstacles of first-generation (FG) students in comparison to non-FG students. Using the Student Experience in the Research University (SERU) completed by 58,000 students from six research universities, the researchers used nonparametric bootstrapping to analyze differences between first-generation and non-first-generation students’ obstacles to academic success. The results suggest that first-generation students more frequently encounter obstacles that compromise their academic success as compared to non-first-generation students, such as job responsibilities, family responsibilities, perceived weak English and math skills, inadequate study skills, and feeling depressed. Implications for learning assistance professionals are outlined.