Education / Educational sciences / Pedagogy Books

Book SynopsisSince the 1990s, many reform measures have been initiated to improve the quality of basic education in China. The major ones include restructuring of the school system, reformation of the school curriculum and of evaluation methods for students'' development, upgrading of teachers'' professional qualifications, and expansion of private sector education. The rationale behind these reforms is that quality rather than quantity is the key concern; that students'' all-round development is the priority; and that education must be regarded as a vehicle to facilitate the social and economic development of China. Although there have been remarkable achievements in the reform and development of basic education in China, there are still a few challenges that will determine its further development and over-all success in the near future. These include the difficulty of putting reform beliefs and ideas into practice; unclear roles and responsibilities of the governments and schools, a great difference in quality among schools; and an ever-increasing demand for quality education. This book provides leading edge research from around the globe on this topic.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAs a group, Asian American and Pacific Islanders represent about 5 percent of the U.S. population and hold about 8 percent of the college degrees. To better understand the educational attainment and average incomes of the subgroups that comprise this population, the authors asked: 1) What are Asian American and Pacific Islander subgroups'' educational attainment and household income levels? (2) What challenges, if any, Asian American and Pacific Islander students face in pursuing and completing their post-secondary education? and (3) What federal and institutional resources do institutions with large Asian American and Pacific Islander student enrolment use to address the particular needs of these students? The authors analysed data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Education (Education) and spoke with officials and Asian American and Pacific Islander students at eight post-secondary institutions.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book addresses the state of poverty and its effects on education and development. It is organised into two sections: Poverty, socio-economics, poverty and gender. Section one focuses on the state of the lives of the peoples in Africa as a result of poverty. These chapters raise arguments to challenge the status quo as unacceptable. The second section of the book focuses on poverty in relation to gender. It explores how lack of education and inequality of females in the society can impact poverty of the nation in general. These chapters discuss the influential factors of poverty in Asia and Africa, and how it enriches the section by looking into Appalachian single mothers'' lived experiences from the South-eastern portion of the US.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisLifelong learning is the concept that "It''s never too soon or too late for learning", a philosophy that has taken root in a whole host of different organisations. Lifelong learning is attitudinal; that one can and should be open to new ideas, decisions, skills or behaviours. Lifelong learning throws the axiom "You can''t teach an old dog new tricks" out the door. Lifelong learning sees citizens provided with learning opportunities at all ages and in numerous contexts: at work, at home and through leisure activities, not just through formal channels such as school and higher education. Lifelong education is a form of pedagogy often accomplished through distance learning or e-learning, continuing education, homeschooling or correspondence courses. It also includes postgraduate programmes for those who want to improve their qualifications, bring their skills up to date or retrain for a new line of work. Internal corporate training has similar goals, with the concept of lifelong learning used by organisations to promote a more dynamic employee base, better able to react in an agile manner to a rapidly changing climate. In later life, especially in retirement, continued learning takes diverse forms, crossing traditional academic bounds and including recreational activities. One of the reasons why lifelong education has become so important is the acceleration of scientific and technological progress. Despite the increased duration of primary, secondary and university education (14-18 years depending on the country), the knowledge and skills acquired there are usually not sufficient for a professional career spanning three or four decades. This book presents and important research in the field.

Read more less

Book SynopsisMathematics, Science and Technology Education (MSTE) emerged as a research discipline in the 1960s, and continues to reflect the distinctive flavour and character of its roots in Western societies, and science. In this mode, often based on positivist frameworks, research environments are characterised by idealised environments, sanitised research conditions; depoliticised neutralised data and contested analyses. The book arises from needs in the mathematics and science education research community in Southern Africa for a methodology text that is responsive to rapidly changing educational environments; and to the challenges and possibilities of research in contexts characterised by inequality, diversity, poverty, violence, the particular history within which research takes place, and the consequent ethical and socio-political considerations. The book also acknowledges and works with the practical and political realities of education and schooling in much of Southern Africa, where schools are often poorly resourced and communication with them is often difficult, and where research methodologies and ethics have to take account of the complexities of school operations and school-community relationships. The book does not aim to position itself as a counterpoint to ''conventional'' research methodologies. It aims to build on the established base of mainstream MSTE and seeks to elevate and widen the debates, raise methodological issues, and offer innovative possibilities and pedagogies. To this end, the chapters present theoretical, meta-level reflections on issues in research design in the fields of mathematics, science and technology education. In this shift of focus, the book draws on a number of fairly recent research approaches. These include ethno mathematics, cultural studies in science education, place-based education, community-based education, environmental education, socially critical theory, and education for social and economic development.

Read more less

Book SynopsisTo ensure reliable, accurate, and timely data, which are necessary to monitor the progress of U.S. education, Congress has mandated that the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) produce an annual report, ''The Condition of Education''. This year''s report presents indicators of important developments and trends in U.S. education. These indicators focus on participation and persistence in education, student performance and other measures of achievement, the environment for learning, and resources for education.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis series presents substantial results from around the globe in selected areas of educational research. The field of education is consistently on the top of priority lists of every country in the world, yet few educators are aware of the progress elsewhere. Many techniques, programs and methods are directly applicable across borders. This series attempts to shed light on successes wherever they may occur in the hope that many wheels need not be reinvented again and again.

Read more less

Book SynopsisEducational evaluation has been used as inquiry and judgement methods in order to optimise the evaluation object in relation to its intended purposes or to help stakeholders determine whether the evaluation object is worthy of adoption, continuation, or expansion. Therefore, educational evaluation is of vital importance to sustainable development for the education system and it is not amazing that nowadays its function and its territory have been remarkably redefined and enlarged -- ranging from the evaluation of student achievement, evaluation of institutions, evaluation of and organisation to the evaluation of pedagogic modes. In addition, increasing autonomy of social actors and local structures reaches it balance in the development of evaluation dispositions. Educational evaluation is no longer a simple look at the mirror, a vain exercise. It reveals a shift from an "evaluation for the sake of evaluation" perspective to an innovative "evaluation for evolution" perspective. The editors and the authors of this volume are researchers and practitioners of educational evaluation who are well-known experts from the region in their own countries.

Read more less

Book SynopsisRural schools, and the large chunk of the nation''s students who attend them, face challenges every bit as daunting as those of their urban counterparts. It is important to keep in mind that rural schools differ greatly from one another. But as a group, students in these schools generally score as well as or better than non-rural students on standardised tests. The makeup of student populations in rural schools differs considerably across the country as well. As a whole, rural students are predominantly white. Studies in several states have shown that small schools and districts can overcome the adverse effects of poverty on student achievement and narrow the achievement gap between poor students and their more affluent peers.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAdvances in media, technology and psychology have had an enormous effect on how students learn and how teachers teach. This book presents new media applications for teaching as well as new methodologies to help students with special needs. An investigation of the effectiveness of multimedia computer assisted instruction is presented. The needs of the autistic are addressed in this book as well, with attention given to the use of Virtual Reality applications that may improve the learning, training and quality of life of people with autism as well as other learning difficulties. Musculoskeletal diseases such as rheumatoid and osteoarthritis are some of the major causes of chronic disability. Education is considered to be an integral part of their treatment, equipping patients to cope with the different stages of these progressive diseases. Continued development and innovative use of new media will most likely broaden its appeal and enhance their educational efficacy.

Read more less

Book SynopsisEducation in this country has evolved dramatically from the days of one teacher in a one-room schoolhouse. Today, student learning is no longer confined to a physical space. Computers and the Internet have broken through school walls, giving students greater opportunities to personalise their education, access distant resources, receive extra help or more-challenging assignments, and engage in learning in new and unique ways. This book provides a new look at the relatively new enterprise of online learning in the K-12 arena, which is expanding rapidly, with increasing numbers of providers offering services and more students choosing to participate. As with any education program, online learning initiatives must be held accountable for results. Thus, it is critical for students and their parents, as well as administrators, policymakers, and funders to have data informing them about program and student outcomes and, if relevant, about how well a particular program compares to traditional education models. Rigorous evaluations are essential to this process and are included in this book. They identify whether programs and online resources are performing as promised, and equally important, they can point to areas for improvement.

Read more less

Book SynopsisMore international students obtain a higher education in the United States than in any other country, and they make valuable contributions while they are here. For those students returning home after their studies, such exchanges support federal public diplomacy efforts and can improve understanding among nations. This book focuses on the goals and policies in attracting international students to the United States and the implications for global competitiveness.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis important book presents new research from around the world in the field of education. Technological advancement has broadened educational, employment and training opportunities for students and adults with disabilities via distance education. This book reviews the breadth of distance learning initiatives and their benefits and challenges for learners with disabilities. Furthermore, it is generally known that continuous learning and upgrading of knowledge in any area may result in a relatively permanent change of behaviour. This book examines how providing health care workers with knowledge in the area of nosocomial infections may result in a more consistent implementation of hygienic and other reasonable measures for the prevention of nosocomial infections. Patients and the general public are now better educated and have access to vast amounts of medical knowledge. This book also reviews the current status of medical decision-making, highlights the challenges in trying to ensure that patients are empowered to participant in their decisions. Other chapters in this book discuss how a child''s bilingualism may affect his/her linguistic and cognitive skills, the benefits of traditional e-learning for students and a discussion on Problem Based Learning (PBL) model, in which problems appear at the beginning of the learning sequence, being introduced by the teacher and solved by the students.

Read more less

Book SynopsisToday''s increasingly complex financial services market offers consumers a vast array of products, services, and providers to choose from to meet their financial needs. While this degree of choice provides consumers with a great number of options, it also requires that they be equipped with the information, knowledge, and skills to evaluate their options and identify those that best suit their needs and circumstances. This book explores The Financial Literacy Strategy which aims to help consumers understand how to prevent becoming involved in transactions that are financially destructive, how to avoid becoming victims of fraud, and how to exercise their consumer protection rights. Financial literacy can empower consumers to be better shoppers, allowing them to obtain goods and services at lower cost. This optimises their household budgets, providing more opportunity to consume and save or invest. Comprehensive education can help provide individuals with the financial knowledge necessary to initiate savings plans, manage debt, and make strategic investment decisions for their retirement or their children''s education. This book consists of public documents which have been located, gathered, combined, reformatted, and enhanced with a subject index, selectively edited and bound to provide easy access.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn a broad sense, education refers to any act or experience that has a formative effect on the mind, character, or physical ability of an individual. Adult education has become common in many countries. It takes on many forms, ranging from formal class-based learning to self-directed learning. It often takes place in the workplace, at secondary schools or at a college or university level. Similarly, vocational education prepares learners for jobs that are based in manual or practical activities. Vocational education can also be at the secondary or post-secondary level. Alternatively, medical education refers to the education related to the practice of being a medical practitioner. Medical education and training varies considerably across the world. This book reviews the most current research done on these topics from around the globe.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis series presents substantial results from around the globe in selected areas of educational research such as: visual representations as a tool for research and learning, integrating medical education with medical practice, injury prevention lessons taught in Kindergarten, webcasting for patient health education, education equity and economic growth and others. The field of education is consistently on the top of priority lists of every country in the world, yet few educators are aware of the progress elsewhere. Many techniques, programs and methods are directly applicable across borders. This new and important book in the series attempts to shed light on successes wherever they may occur in the hope that many wheels need not be reinvented again and again.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis series presents substantial results from around the globe in selected areas of educational research. The field of education is consistently on the top of priority lists of every country in the world, yet few educators are aware of the progress elsewhere. Many techniques, programs and methods are directly applicable across borders. This series attempts to shed light on successes wherever they may occur in the hope that many wheels need not be reinvented again and again.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis is a book that exposes silenced and invisible voices in Colleges/Schools of Education. These voices of African immigrants are seldom heard in serious educational quarters since most foreign-born teacher educators try their very best to play by the rules as immigrant minorities. However, they find themselves between cultural continuity and cultural discontinuity. They are pressured to do well by their families in their native countries; but these pressures force them to forget home and think about survival strategies in their new found home. Very often, they do well and at tremendous costs! Additionally, they are expected to be happy and endure all kinds of mistreatments with a smile because they seem to have fewer survival options. On the one hand, they are generally treated as Blacks; and as Blacks, they encounter racist behaviours. On the other hand, they are treated as invisible, primitive, and inferior Blacks who have nothing to share and who are supposed to be seen and not heard. As a consequence, they endure discrimination from both native born African Americans and Whites in America. Interestingly, when they are confident, they are labelled as arrogant, troublemaker, foreigner, chauvinistic, and so on. When they are quiet, they are labelled as incompetent, timid, naïve, unprepared, and so on. The tendency is to forget that they are human-beings with aspirations to do well and contribute to their "new" society, that is, America. The critical question then is, how can they do well or contribute to the advancement of their new society if they are not given opportunities to learn, teach, serve, or grow?

Read more less

Book SynopsisEducational change is highly complex and it is widely recognised that the teacher plays a pivotal role in the change process. Educational systems attempt to adapt to these changes by imposing curricular reforms, ingenuously expecting that curricular change will suffice to improve teaching. While structural and curricular changes in education are necessary, they may not be sufficient unless they take into account that the teacher is the key to qualitative improvement of education systems, and determines the success or failure of whatever curricular reform or innovation it is desired to implement. This book examines the implementation of an inquiry-oriented curriculum and focuses on teachers as they implement changes in their classroom practice. These classroom practices are described, as well as the ways in which teachers have been challenged and supported in implementing by drawing on a broad range of data from teacher questionnaires, individual and focus group interviews. This book also presents a review of the role that serious games can play in affecting educational change. Serious games are digital tools whose purpose is to both entertain and educate. In addition, the authors of this book explore the relationships among leadership, organisational learning and teacher and student outcomes. A deeper level of critical thinking within educational systems is encouraged in order to arrest the potential for and to turn back the more harmful effects of globalisation.

Read more less

Book SynopsisMusical engagement has functioned as a sociological activity for humans over centuries, with choirs and music-making groups having existed in different cultures for a great number of years. This book reviews the existing literature on the connections between our sociological behaviours and music engagement. It discusses a recent large-scale study concerned with the influence of group-music activities on children''s sociological development. In addition, the potential of music to communicate emotions is part of our everyday experience. The authors focus on emotion induction and briefly discuss recent empirical evidence and theoretical reflections on the nature of musical emotions, the influence of factors on listeners'' emotional experience and the link between emotion and aesthetics. Recent findings of brain areas involved in emotional processing of music, issues related to cerebral asymmetry, and the link between emotion and cognition are also discussed. Furthermore, the basic conditions under which musical education can have an optimal impact on the integral development of a child are defined and how these conditions can be implemented in direct practice are determined.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book examines and explores some of the various domains of reading as we approach the year 2010 and establishes a foundation for future research as we enter the next decade. The book contains sixteen chapters which discuss some of the critical areas of Contemporary teaching strategies are examined as well as the importance of early nutrition and early literacy endeavours. The realm of fairy tales, the great books as well as key American authors will be explored. Differentiated instruction as well as a trans-disciplinary approach to reading is explored. The realm of assessment, both formal and informal is examined. Cultural, social and political aspects of this highly volatile area are all explored. Implications for future research and future reading endeavours are offered.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe pervasive use of games by students and their integration in formal education by a number of pioneer teachers creates a need for a different frame-of-mind to look at the learning experience offered by such innovative technology-enhanced learning experiences. Educational computer games are related to two disciplines, which are computer sciences (in particular, eLearning and related areas) and games development. A pattern-based design approach to overcome the problems and challenges of learning-games is proposed in this book. The aim is to awaken the learning-game community to approach learning-game design more structurally and to motivate them to communally create a theoretical and practical basis for learning-game design and game-based learning research. Furthermore, given the popularity of computer games and the educational and ethical problems they raise, we need a way of evaluating games. This book contributes to this task by articulating the epistemic, moral, and ethical aims of education and by applying these criteria to computer games.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book provides a framework for understanding various types of assessments that are administered in elementary and secondary schools. It broadly discusses various purposes of educational assessment and describe comprehensive assessment systems. Common assessment measures currently used in education are described, including state assessments, NAEP, and state exit exams. The book also provides a description and analysis of technical considerations in assessments, including validity, reliability, and fairness, and provide a discussion of how to use these technical considerations to draw appropriate conclusions based on assessment results. Additionally, innovation in assessment is discussed, including the development and use of alternate assessments and performance assessments. A separate chapter deals with educational testing and one examines arts education assessment.

Read more less

Book SynopsisMillions of adults in the U.S. report that they speak limited English, and English Language ability appears linked to multiple dimensions of adult life, such as civic participation and workforce participation and mobility. This new book focuses on some key issues in English language learning and instruction.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book presents findings from the Reading First Impact Study, a congressionally mandated evaluation of the federal government''s $1.0 billion-per-year initiative to help all children read at or above grade level by the end of third grade. The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (P.L. 107-110) established Reading First (Title I, Part B, Subpart 1) and mandated its evaluation. This evaluation is being conducted by Abt Associates and MDRC with RMC Research, Rosenblum-Brigham Associates, Westat, Computer Technology Services, DataStar, Field Marketing Incorporated, and Westover Consulting under the oversight of the U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences (IES). The present book is the second of two; it examines the impact of Reading First funding in 2004-05 and 2005-06 in 17 school districts across 12 states and one state-wide program (18 sites). The book examines program impacts on students'' reading comprehension and teachers'' use of scientifically based reading instruction.

Read more less

Book SynopsisEducation brings together recent research findings in children''s psychopathology with practical implications in educational settings. The text provides the latest user-friendly volume facts from neurosciences, psychology, special education, classroom management, child development, cross cultural research and can be used to guide educational professionals in typical or mainstreaming primary settings. The book presents in-depth background information and strategies to help pre-service and practicing teachers to understand, prevent and address the emotional, behavioural, and social problems found so often in today''s schools. Techniques to understand and cope with anger, anxiety, attention or memory problems, problems in social interaction and school bulling and victimisation, and ideas about practical implications and adaptations to the school environment are provided in a way easy to read and follow. If you are an educator of behaviourally challenging students in school settings or you are working with challenging children in another context, such as after-school or recreation program or a social services agency, you will find this book a comprehensive and indispensable resource.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis is a contemporary book that addresses global issues in adolescent sexuality education. With chapters from international experts in sexuality, this book provides comprehensive coverage of issues including effective sexuality education, abstinence programs, and risk prevention efforts, drawing on research currently being conducted in schools and agencies across the globe. Emphasising "developmentally appropriate sex education", readers will learn about adolescents'' preferences for sources of sex education, as well as the timing and topics that are critical to include. Given an increasing use of social media and technology by teens, the book addresses the intersection of sexuality and technology. This includes topics such as sexting and on line victimisation, and youth exposure to sexually explicit on line material. Strategies for both school and parents to implement to safe guard their youth are provided. With the wealth of knowledge from the international contributors to this book, culture and diversity are addressed throughout but especially in chapters on gender expansiveness, sexual minority youth, and youth with disabilities. Recommendations are made for how schools can implement sex education with adolescents in a way that will be meaningful and effective. Adapting evidenced based curriculum to local settings, as well as conducting evaluations is addressed so that program planners can ensure adolescents are receiving accurate and comprehensive knowledge and skills to make informed decisions. The latter part of this book addresses the issue of the training that is required of teachers who implement sexuality curriculums. In order for programs to be successful, those who deliver them need proper training and support. Readers of this book are sure to gain essential knowledge necessary to design, implement and evaluate inclusive and effective sexuality education with a large range of youths.

Read more less

Book SynopsisSocial justice and equity are by themselves a strong argument for providing basic education for all. It is an established fact that basic education improves the level of human well-being especially with regard to life expectancy, infant mortality, nutritional status of children, as well as significantly contributing to economic growth. This book presents current research in the study of the problems and achievements of urban and rural schools world-wide.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book is a continuation of the book entitled ''Striving for the "Perfect" Classroom: Instruction and Assessment Techniques for Today''s Diverse Learners'' which addresses the numerous teaching responsibilities which are needed to build "perfect" classrooms. This book highlights the special needs for English Language Learners (ELLs) and provided helpful web sites on topics addressed throughout the book.

Read more less

Book SynopsisStandardised achievement testing is increasingly common in educational and industrial settings. K-12 students take state assessments to comply with federal education laws. Many colleges administer assessments to place incoming students in initial courses and ensure that graduates have benefited from instruction. Professions such as law and medicine give assessments for certification and licensure. This book presents research in the study of achievement tests, including visual motor assessment tests and assistive technologies as applied to adults with learning disabilities; using teacher''s recommendations and achievement tests for promoting ethnic minority students into secondary schools; as well as test anxiety and test motivation in achievement test performance.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book examines conceptions of learning, that is, systematic sets of beliefs concerning learning that people develop. Such beliefs encompass issues such as what learning means, where, when and how it occurs, what happens in our minds while we are learning, and so on. Conceptions of learning are not mere subjective representations, but they play a causal role in the learning/teaching processes. In fact, it has been shown that the quality of the learning outcomes and the approaches to the learning tasks, as well as the general level of school achievement, are related to the students'' conceptions of learning.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe National Indian Education Study (NIES) is administered as part of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), which was expanded to allow more in-depth reporting on the achievement and experiences of American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) students. This important book presents results on the achievement of AI/AN fourth-and eight-graders in reading and mathematics and examines the educational experiences of AI/AN students, their teachers and schools, and the integration of native culture and language in their education.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe federal government invests significantly in medical education through various programs to help ensure that the anticipated supply of new physicians meets the nation''s health care needs. Additionally, in order to participate in federal student financial aid programs, law schools must be accredited by an agency recognised by the Department of Education. Accreditation is intended to ensure that schools provide basic levels of quality in their educational programs, and Education recognises those accrediting agencies that it concludes can reliably determine the quality of education provided by the schools and programs they accredit. This book examines the cost and access issues facing students in law and medical schools across the United States.

Read more less

Book SynopsisSchool crime and violence continue to be a major concern of educators, policymakers, administrators, and parents. Understanding the scope and nature of criminal incidents perpetrated at school is an essential step in developing solutions to address the issues concerning school crime and violence. This book examines the National Center for Education Statistics reporting on the characteristics and nature of criminal incidents at school, including but not limited to, the frequency and seriousness of violence affecting students, the relationship between victims and offenders, demographic characteristics of victims and offenders, and weapons used in incidents of crime at school.

Read more less