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1 – 10 of 58The purpose of this paper is to examine the critical features and outcomes of an Australian collaborative university- and school-based immersion project for mentoring…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the critical features and outcomes of an Australian collaborative university- and school-based immersion project for mentoring final year pre-service primary teachers in the area of special education as they embed theory and practice in inclusive classrooms for a full year, to respond to diverse student needs.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a three-year qualitative study design, data were gathered through pre surveys and post surveys, two one-to-one semi-structured interviews, and reflexive journal entries. Analysis using triangulation of data sources and inter-rater reliability was employed to reach consensus on the key themes.
Findings
Findings suggest that mentors proved critical to reducing pre-service teacher anxieties and to enhancing their personal and professional knowledge, confidence and skills as they differentiated instruction and assessment techniques to cater for students with a diverse range of abilities.
Research limitations/implications
This research suggests that maintaining the balance of theory and practice through genuine extended school engagement experiences provided opportunities for collaborative connections on multiple levels across the school. This mentoring pathway enhanced and reinforced pre-service teachers’ professional capacity, confidence and employability potential. Limitations such as small sample size and lack of secondary school representation must be noted.
Originality/value
This work identified the importance of the unique features of a mentoring programme within a university-school partnership, including the benefits of a full-year immersion experience, financial reward, responsibility, empowerment and enhanced employability status of final year pre-service teachers as they transition to classroom teachers. This paper provides useful insights for researchers, practitioners and teacher education policy developers.
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Fiona Mackay and Claire Wilson
Janette1 is a young woman with both a mild intellectual disability and moderate physical disabilities who experienced a major depressive disorder at a stage in her life…
Abstract
Janette1 is a young woman with both a mild intellectual disability and moderate physical disabilities who experienced a major depressive disorder at a stage in her life when many young adults leave home. This case study exemplifies the success of a multi‐disciplinary, multi‐agency and multi‐element intervention for severe depression in relation to the tasks of adolescence. The impact of a combination of treatments (including attendance at an assessment day unit, electro‐convulsive therapy (ECT) and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)) on Janette's mood has been assessed regularly using the Glasgow Depression Inventory ‐ Learning Disability (GDS‐LD) scale (Cuthill, 2003). There is currently very little literature on either using ECT with people with learning disabilities or assessing depression in this population. The multiple inputs, in Janette's case, have had the desired effect of greatly improving her mood, which has been sustained via outpatient follow‐up and tailoring of day and respite services.
Janette Raubenheimer and Patrick Ngulube
The purpose of this paper is to gain original evidence of the perception of Open Distance Learning (ODL) library middle managers towards the meaning of career success from…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to gain original evidence of the perception of Open Distance Learning (ODL) library middle managers towards the meaning of career success from the perspective of the individual.
Design/methodology/approach
This quantitative research study was conducted with the help of a survey questionnaire designed by the first researcher.
Findings
Results revealed that career success no longer only relates to criteria such as the hierarchical position or progression through high ratings obtained during performance appraisal. A high premium is placed by ODL library middle managers on other success criteria identified in the literature, such as the positive effect of their work on the institution, success achieved through a focus on work life and home life balance and personal recognition due to competence.
Research limitations/implications
The research findings presented in this paper form an important part of a comprehensive study on ODL library middle management development but is limited to the only ODL library in South Africa.
Practical implications
The paper provides current perceptions of ODL library middle managers to be considered during career path planning.
Originality/value
The paper provides the first findings of an overview of the perception of South African ODL library middle managers towards the meaning of career success. The study is timely as the number of ODL institutions is growing. The target population to benefit from this study is ODL library practitioners.
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Janette Brunstein, Marta Fabiano Sambiase, Roberto Borges Kerr, Claudine Brunnquell and Luiz Carlos Jacob Perera
The purpose of this study is to argue for the need for more critical-reflective teaching-learning experiences in finance teaching, capable of promoting changes in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to argue for the need for more critical-reflective teaching-learning experiences in finance teaching, capable of promoting changes in students’ frames of reference toward sustainability. The aim was to evaluate the levels of reflection and the transformative learning experiences perceived by undergraduate students enrolled in three finance disciplines at a Business Administration course of a Brazilian business school. This course has been the object of pedagogical experience toward sustainability teaching-learning for some years.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors used mixed data. For quantitative data, the authors collected 188 questionnaires, as well as 160 student-written reports for qualitative data.
Findings
Incorporating sustainability topics into finance disciplines, longitudinally, stimulates critical reflection and transformations in students’ mindsets toward sustainable rationality in finance. Despite the high number of agreements with reflection and critical reflection levels, emphasis only on the theoretical discussion of sustainability presuppositions does little to contribute to the practical application of concepts.
Research limitations/implications
Although the study was conducted in a particular Business School, the authors expect that the results can be replicated and improved in comparative studies, encouraging transformative learning in the teaching-learning of finance.
Practical implications
The results show the potential and limitations of the experiences studied and its implications for theoretical and didactics in finance teaching. The discussions and the examples of practical activities presented can bring contributions to educators, professors and researchers.
Originality/value
Few studies in finance seeks to evaluate pedagogical experiences from the point of view of students’ learning, especially in relation to the development of a new rationality.
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A London football league has been set up for people who are experiencing or recovering from mental illness. The Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) Football League was started…
Abstract
A London football league has been set up for people who are experiencing or recovering from mental illness. The Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) Football League was started by an occupational therapist who had noticed that participating in football games was helping her patients. Being a part of the League has helped people in a range of ways, including increasing people's confidence and self‐esteem by interacting with other people in the community. Players also experience physical benefits, such as increasing overall general fitness, losing weight and stopping smoking.
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The purpose of this paper is to explore how a small group of adolescents in an alternative care and treatment program develop digital literacy skills over time while…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore how a small group of adolescents in an alternative care and treatment program develop digital literacy skills over time while immersed in a rich media setting. It also explores how the students use new media tools and affordances to “perform” their identities and to present themselves within their classroom community.
Design/methodology/approach
This ethnographic case study research involved seven students from a Canadian alternative school that provides educational programming for students from government approved care, treatment, custody and correctional facilities. Through an integrated arts-based curriculum, with a thematic focus on community and identity, the students used a variety to digital tools and media to create an “All About Me” book.
Findings
The students used inquiry-based learning and multiple modes of expression, facilitated by the multimodal, multimedia nature of digital media, including both screen-based and tangibles as essential components of knowing and communicating. The maker pedagogies employed in this intervention facilitated self-directed learning, as well as the development of perseverance and self-confidence.
Originality/value
In many work environments individuals are required to have knowledge of emerging technologies, and to employ this expertise in their work. Teaching students how to navigate their way through unfamiliar technology, to reflect on the process, and to communicate effectively, are important in both academics and future work environments. The authors continue to work with this group of students in the STEAM-3D Maker Lab and emphasize learning through discovery, design and the development of important skills such as perseverance, troubleshooting, resilience and collaboration.
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Janette Rodriguez, Madonna Valenzuela and Nunilon Ayuyao
Critical success factors (CSFs) in total quality management (TQM) implementation are vital to the quality improvement of organizations, including higher education…
Abstract
Purpose
Critical success factors (CSFs) in total quality management (TQM) implementation are vital to the quality improvement of organizations, including higher education institutions (HEIs). The present study aims to attempt to develop a TQM paradigm contextualized to HEIs in the Philippine setting.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 309 randomly selected officials/faculty members from four public and four private HEIs participated in the study. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires. Factor analysis, using principal components with varimax rotation, was used to extract the main CSFs for TQM.
Findings
Results showed the extraction of two principal components. The first component (accounting for 42.95 per cent of the variance in the model) consisted of 25 quality indicators generally considered to fall under “people empowerment” and “continuous quality improvement” (CQI), while the second component (accounting for 42.31 per cent of the variance in the model) consisted of 24 quality indicators that fall under “leadership commitment” and “stakeholder satisfaction”.
Research limitations/implications
The study was focused on determining the CSFs in the TQM implementation of Philippine HEIs.
Practical implications
Findings of this study may be used by HEIs as basis for planning, decision-making and in directing their strategies and resources in the integration of the paradigm in their business process.
Social implications
The proposed TQM paradigm, upon adoption by Philippine HEIs, may be used as a quality measurement tool to improve performance, embed and sustain quality culture.
Originality/value
This is the first study that developed a TQM paradigm for Philippine HEIs. The identified CSFs are basically the same as those in the cited studies but with relatively greater emphasis on people empowerment.
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