Showing papers in "Research in education in 2014"

A Review of Homework Literature as a Precursor to Practitioner-Led Doctoral Research in a Primary School.

Abstract: Homework in the primary school is a subject much debated by teachers, parents and pupils. This paper offers a brief critique of key issues in the current homework debate with particular reference to research literature, theoretical perspectives, educational policy and other professional publications. Consequently, a discourse between homework in academic literature and classroom pedagogy emerges and a number of opportunities for further research are identified. Ultimately, it is argued that whilst a range of work has been published around certain aspects of homework, many complexities remain and conclusive answers are most likely to be found only within the cultural context where the homework is actually undertaken.

The Voices of Teaching Assistants (Are We Value for Money

Abstract: This research gave voice to teaching assistants, exploring their experiences and perceptions. A small-scale case study approach was adopted, which aimed to interpret and explain human actions and t...

Supporting Pupils with DCD and ASD with the Transition to Secondary School

Abstract: Children with autistic spectrum disorders (ASDs) and developmental coordination disorder (DCD) are at an increased risk for a range of motor, sensory and social challenges which affect their ability to function at school. The current small scale, qualitative study sought to investigate how children with ASD and/or DCD felt about the transition to secondary school from primary. Face-to-face, semi-structured interviews were used and the data was analysed thematically. A total of six children (five boys and one girl) in year six (aged 10–11 years) participated. Two main themes emerged which centred around worries and support strategies. Although they were able to offer suggestions around how they could be supported, worries exceeded their suggested support strategies. A major concern for these children was physical exercise (PE) at secondary school. The current study has provided a base from which further research can be positioned into how best to support children with ASDs and DCD with the transition from ...

The Migrant Effect: An Evaluation of Native Academic Performance in Qatar

Abstract: Recent data have suggested that despite massive outlays on educational reform Qatar consistently ranks as one of the least academically proficient countries in key areas of literacy. Of the seventy...

A Study of Science Teachers' Homework Practices

Abstract: This study investigates Turkish middle school science teachers' homework practices, the value teachers attach to homework and teachers' communication with parents about homework. One hundred and sixty-eight teachers completed surveys. Teachers reported to assign homework frequently: 93.4 per cent of the teachers reported that they assign homework either once a week or at the end of every class. Problem solving and doing research on a topic were the most commonly assigned homework types, while making summaries and memorizing information/formulas were the least preferred homework types. Teachers gave homework for a variety of reasons including knowledge acquisition, skill development and informing parents about child's progress. Structural equation modelling revealed that teachers were more likely to place value on homework if class size was small; teachers who placed value on homework were more likely to communicate with parents about homework and communication with parents facilitated students' homework c...

Developing Reading and Summary Writing Abilities of EFL Undergraduate Students through Transactional Strategies.

Abstract: The study investigated how transactional strategies could improve undergraduate students' reading and writing abilities. A quasi-experimental study was performed with two groups of students. Studen...

Academic Probation: An Empirical Study of Private University Students.

Abstract: This study examines the factors contributing to academic probation in university settings and highlights the problems that students encounter in higher education institutions in Bangladesh. The stu...

Utilisation of Local Inputs in the Funding and Administration of Education in Nigeria.

Abstract: The article discussed how, why and who is in charge of administering and funding schools in Nigeria. The author utilised the relevant statistical approach which examined and discussed various political and historical trends affecting education. Besides this, relevant documented statistical data were used to both buttress and substantiate related school records to make the paper clearer. The paper focused on whether or not the presence of federal, states and local governments spending on education results in dominant control. Although the administrative control of education falls on the three tiers of government, the purse has direct control over the schools. The author concluded the paper with the assertion that there is need for a shift in the style of administration and funding. This is in compliance with Nigeria's recent democratic administrative principles which should reflect democratic values. Consequently, taxpayers would have more involvement in the schools, and it can also encourage the decentralisation of the school system. Finally, it can help remove the financial burden borne by the federal government while the burden shifts to the local government level. This means that both the administration and payment for education can lie on the people at the ‘grassroots’ and also grant more power to the people.

The Religious and Social Significance of Self-Assigned Religious Affiliation in England and Wales: Comparing Christian, Muslim and Religiously-Unaffiliated Adolescent Males.

Abstract: This study examines the religious and social significance of self-assigned religious affiliation among young people in England and Wales by investigating religious beliefs and the connection between religion and matters of public concern among a sample of 547 adolescent males between 16 and 18 years of age, distinguishing between three religious groups: Christian, Muslim, and non-affiliated. First, the analysis identified eight themes concerning religious beliefs: the Bible, the Qur'an, Jesus, Muhammad, Jesus and justice, Muhammed and justice, experiencing God, and the theology of religions. Second, the analysis identified six themes concerning the connection between religion and matters of public concern: religion and personal life, religion and public life, religion and the state, social rights, the rights of women and children, and sex and morality. The data highlighted some areas of commonality and some areas of strong divergence between the three groups, demonstrating how the religious and social significance of self-assigned religious affiliation hold salience in some areas rather than others.

The Contribution of Gender, Socio-Economic Status and Socio-Cultural Influence to Turkish Students' Task Value Beliefs in Science:

Abstract: This study aimed to investigate how well gender, socio-economic status of family, and socio-cultural influences (perceived parents' achievement goals, and perceived teachers' achievement goals) predict middle school students' task value beliefs in science. Background Characteristics Survey, Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire, Perceived Parent Goal Emphases Scale and Perceived Teacher Goal Emphases Scale were administered to 977 middle school students in Turkey which may be viewed as a country possessing characteristics of both individualist and collectivist cultures. Consistent with the findings in individualistic cultures, results showed that middle school students who think that learning new things, improving skills in science are emphasized by their parents and science teachers tend to perceive science tasks as useful, interesting or enjoyable.

Student Surveys - "You Don't Think about the Good Things".

Abstract: League tables are often used to compare universities and are increasingly becoming the focus for the selection of universities by national and international students. Yet, there can be little separating all but the top universities, and hence small changes in weighting for the component elements of a survey can greatly influence the results, leading to significant influences on future student recruitment and financial sustainability of institutions, (Denson et al., 2010; Hou et al., 2012; Fielding et al., 2010). The National Student Survey (NSS), which is a major source of data for UK league tables, is completed by students in their final year of study at all publically funded Higher Education Institutions in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the majority in Scotland. It asks for twenty-two statements to be considered. An apparent lack of definition of words within statements, however, led to the pilot study which is the focus for this Short Notice. An opportunity sample of thirty final-year students on a Bachelor of Arts Primary Education course were invited for interview to explore how they had interpreted key words within statements from the NSS and how they allocated the levels of agreement such as ‘mostly agree’ and ‘disagree’. Following transcription two key themes emerged:

Quality of University Graduates and Human Resources Development in Nigeria.

Abstract: The quality of graduates from Nigerian universities is reported to be on the decline, especially in critical and valuable skills, to the extent that companies hardly recruit but rather adopt employ...

High School Students and Online Commemoration of the Group's Cultural Trauma.

Abstract: This paper addresses the interaction of three equivalent issues: education, cultural trauma and the Internet. Theory suggests that the educational system plays an important role in the transmission...