Capacity building for teaching and learning in environmental education: the role of public/private partnerships in the Mpumalanga province of South Africa (Special issue: Quality of education in Africa: Africa-Asia university dialogue for basic education development (1))
01 Dec 2008-Vol. 11, Iss: 3, pp 39-54
TL;DR: In this article, the authors use the concept of opportunities to learn (OTL) to understand the capacity building processes in two schools within the South African province of Mpumalanga.
Abstract: A recently mandated focus on environmental education (EE) in the basic education curriculum of South Africa requires that all children in grades 1 to 9 be introduced to environmental concepts and related content. Not many schools and teachers have the necessary knowledge and experience to make this major shift workable. Similarly, the capacity of the provincial education departments to support schools in the expected integration of EE is limited. How then do schools and teachers cope with this dilemma and demand for change? In this paper, we use the concept of opportunities to learn (OTL) to understand the capacity building processes in two schools within the South African province of Mpumalanga. Specifically, we discuss the interactions between governmental and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in building the capacity of schools (and specifically teachers) to provide quality learning in EE. Data for the study was collected through document analysis and interviews with teachers and officials in the province. Our findings suggest that, on their own, local education departments have limited intellectual and material resources to build the schools’ instructional capacity for EE. In conclusion to this paper we posit a possible approach to developing such capacity through interactions between public and private resources and programmes for EE.
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01 Nov 1993
TL;DR: This paper examined the implications of this policy for equity and diversity in terms of antecedent instructional conditions, the proposed test, the testing context, and the diversity of learners to be assessed, concluding that without a strong and serious commitment to opportunity to learn, this policy serves as a symbolic and political fiction rather than an instrumental one in improving schooling outcomes, particularly for disadvantaged urban and racial/ethnic minority students.
Abstract: National standards and assessments are being proposed as a strategy for improving schools in the United States. However, proposed federal policies for implementation raise serious concerns about the extent to which national standards and assessments alone will help improve the quality of public education for all or whether it will serve to deepen the already severe educational and economic cleavages that exist in this nation, especially along racial/ethnic lines. We examine the implications of this policy for equity and diversity in terms of antecedent instructional conditions, the proposed test, the testing context, and the diversity of learners to be assessed. Without a strong and serious commitment to opportunity to learn, this policy serves as a symbolic and political fiction rather than an instrumental one in improving schooling outcomes, particularly for disadvantaged urban and racial/ethnic minority students.
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Book•
01 Jan 1991
TL;DR: In this article, the authors reviewed the literature and conduct ethical studies in social research and the politics of social research in the context of qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis, and concluded that the need for qualitative and quantitative data is critical for social science research.
Abstract: IN THIS SECTION: 1.) BRIEF 2.) COMPREHENSIVE BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS Part I Foundations Chapter 1 Why Do Research? Chapter 2 What Are the Major Types of Social Research? Chapter 3 Theory and Research Chapter 4 The Meanings of Methodology Chapter 5 How to Review the Literature and Conduct Ethical Studies Part II Planning and Preparation Chapter 6 Strategies of Research Design Chapter 7 Qualitative and Quantitative Measurement Chapter 8 Qualitative and Quantitative Sampling Part III Quantitative Data Collection and Analysis Chapter 9 Experimental Research Chapter 10 Survey Research Chapter 11 Nonreactive Research and Secondary Analysis Chapter 12 Analysis of Quantitative Data Part IV Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis Chapter 13 Field Research and Focus Group Research Chapter 14 Historical-Comparative Research Chapter 15 Analysis of Qualitative Data Part V Communicating with Others Chapter 16 Writing the Research Report and the Politics of Social Research COMPREHENSIVE TABLE OF CONTENTS Part I Foundations Chapter 1 Why Do Research? Alternatives to Social Science Research What Research Involves: A Scientific Approach Varieties of Social Research Steps in the Research Process Why Learn How to Conduct Social Research Chapter 2 What Are the Major Types of Social Research? Use and Audience of Research Purpose of Research Within or Across Case Single or Multiple Points in Time Data Collection Techniques Chapter 3 Theory and Research What Is Theory? Social Theory versus Ideology The Parts of Theory Chapter 4 The Meanings of Methodology Philosophical Foundations The Three Approaches Positivist Social Science Interpretative Social Science Critical Social Science Feminist and Postmodern Research Chapter 5 How to Review the Literature and Conduct Ethical Studies The Literature Review Ethics in Social Research Part II Planning and Preparation Chapter 6 Strategies of Research Design Triangulation Qualitative and Quantitative Orientations Toward Research Qualitative Design Issues Quantitative Design Issues Chapter 7 Qualitative and Quantitative Measurement The Need for Measurement Quanitative and Qualtitative Measurement The Measurement Process Reliability and Validity A Guide to Quantitative Measurement Scales and Indexes Chapter 8 Qualitative and Quantitative Sampling Reasons for Sampling Sampling Strategies Part III Quantitative Data Collection and Analysis Chapter 9 Experimental Research Appropriate Technique A Short History of the Experiment Random Assignment Experimental Design Logic Internal and External Validity Practical Considerations Results of Experimental Research: Making Comparisons A Word on Ethics Chapter 10 Survey Research A History of Survey Research The Logic of Survey Research Construction of the Questionnaire Types of Surveys: Advantages and Disadvantages Survey Interviewing The Ethical Survey Chapter 11 Nonreactive Research and Secondary Analysis Nonreactive Measurement Content Analysis Existing Statistics/Documents and Secondary Analysis Secondary Analysis of Survey Data Issues of Inference and Theory Testing Ethical Concerns Chapter 12 Analysis of Quantitative Data Dealing with Data Results with One Variable Results with Two Variables More than Two Variables Inferential Statistics Part IV Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis Chapter 13 Field Research and Focus Group Research Understanding Field Research The Field Research Interview Data Quality Ethical Dilemmas of Field Research Focus Group Research Chapter 14 Historical-Comparative Research A Short History of Historical-Comparative Research Research Questions Appropriate for Historical-Comparative Research The Logic of Historical-Comparative Research Steps in Conducting a Historical-Comparative Research Project Data and Evidence in Historical Context Comparative Research Equivalence in Historical-Comparative Research Ethics Chapter 15 Analysis of Qualitative Data Comparison of Methods of Data Analysis Coding and Concept Formation Analytic Strategies for Qualitative Data Other Techniques Part V Communicating with Others Chapter 16 Writing the Research Report and the Politics of Social Research The Research Report The Politics of Social Research Objectivity and Value Freedom Appendix: Table of Randomly Selected Five Digit Numbers Bibliography Name Index Subject Index
18,682 citations
"Capacity building for teaching and ..." refers methods in this paper
...It involved the examination of data collected through qualitative data collection methods (Neuman 2000)....
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors reviewed the literature and conduct ethical studies in social research and the politics of social research in the context of qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis, and concluded that the need for qualitative and quantitative data is critical for social science research.
Abstract: IN THIS SECTION: 1.) BRIEF 2.) COMPREHENSIVE BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS Part I Foundations Chapter 1 Why Do Research? Chapter 2 What Are the Major Types of Social Research? Chapter 3 Theory and Research Chapter 4 The Meanings of Methodology Chapter 5 How to Review the Literature and Conduct Ethical Studies Part II Planning and Preparation Chapter 6 Strategies of Research Design Chapter 7 Qualitative and Quantitative Measurement Chapter 8 Qualitative and Quantitative Sampling Part III Quantitative Data Collection and Analysis Chapter 9 Experimental Research Chapter 10 Survey Research Chapter 11 Nonreactive Research and Secondary Analysis Chapter 12 Analysis of Quantitative Data Part IV Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis Chapter 13 Field Research and Focus Group Research Chapter 14 Historical-Comparative Research Chapter 15 Analysis of Qualitative Data Part V Communicating with Others Chapter 16 Writing the Research Report and the Politics of Social Research COMPREHENSIVE TABLE OF CONTENTS Part I Foundations Chapter 1 Why Do Research? Alternatives to Social Science Research What Research Involves: A Scientific Approach Varieties of Social Research Steps in the Research Process Why Learn How to Conduct Social Research Chapter 2 What Are the Major Types of Social Research? Use and Audience of Research Purpose of Research Within or Across Case Single or Multiple Points in Time Data Collection Techniques Chapter 3 Theory and Research What Is Theory? Social Theory versus Ideology The Parts of Theory Chapter 4 The Meanings of Methodology Philosophical Foundations The Three Approaches Positivist Social Science Interpretative Social Science Critical Social Science Feminist and Postmodern Research Chapter 5 How to Review the Literature and Conduct Ethical Studies The Literature Review Ethics in Social Research Part II Planning and Preparation Chapter 6 Strategies of Research Design Triangulation Qualitative and Quantitative Orientations Toward Research Qualitative Design Issues Quantitative Design Issues Chapter 7 Qualitative and Quantitative Measurement The Need for Measurement Quanitative and Qualtitative Measurement The Measurement Process Reliability and Validity A Guide to Quantitative Measurement Scales and Indexes Chapter 8 Qualitative and Quantitative Sampling Reasons for Sampling Sampling Strategies Part III Quantitative Data Collection and Analysis Chapter 9 Experimental Research Appropriate Technique A Short History of the Experiment Random Assignment Experimental Design Logic Internal and External Validity Practical Considerations Results of Experimental Research: Making Comparisons A Word on Ethics Chapter 10 Survey Research A History of Survey Research The Logic of Survey Research Construction of the Questionnaire Types of Surveys: Advantages and Disadvantages Survey Interviewing The Ethical Survey Chapter 11 Nonreactive Research and Secondary Analysis Nonreactive Measurement Content Analysis Existing Statistics/Documents and Secondary Analysis Secondary Analysis of Survey Data Issues of Inference and Theory Testing Ethical Concerns Chapter 12 Analysis of Quantitative Data Dealing with Data Results with One Variable Results with Two Variables More than Two Variables Inferential Statistics Part IV Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis Chapter 13 Field Research and Focus Group Research Understanding Field Research The Field Research Interview Data Quality Ethical Dilemmas of Field Research Focus Group Research Chapter 14 Historical-Comparative Research A Short History of Historical-Comparative Research Research Questions Appropriate for Historical-Comparative Research The Logic of Historical-Comparative Research Steps in Conducting a Historical-Comparative Research Project Data and Evidence in Historical Context Comparative Research Equivalence in Historical-Comparative Research Ethics Chapter 15 Analysis of Qualitative Data Comparison of Methods of Data Analysis Coding and Concept Formation Analytic Strategies for Qualitative Data Other Techniques Part V Communicating with Others Chapter 16 Writing the Research Report and the Politics of Social Research The Research Report The Politics of Social Research Objectivity and Value Freedom Appendix: Table of Randomly Selected Five Digit Numbers Bibliography Name Index Subject Index
3,952 citations
Book•
18 Mar 2004
TL;DR: Action Research Association and Causation Attitude Scales Auto/Biography and Life Histories Bias Case Study Coding Qualitative Data Community Profiles Community Studies Content Analysis Contingency Tables Documentary Methods Ethical Practice Ethnography Ethnomethodology and Conversational Analysis Evaluation Studies Experiments Feminist Research Fieldwork Grounded Theory Group Discussions/Focus Groups Hawthorne Effect Hypothesis Indicators and Operationalisations Internet and Other Searches Internet Polling Interviewing Key Informants Levels of Measurement Longitudinal and Cross-Sectional Studies Methods and Methodologies Object
Abstract: Action Research Association and Causation Attitude Scales Auto/Biography and Life Histories Bias Case Study Coding Qualitative Data Community Profiles Community Studies Content Analysis Contingency Tables Documentary Methods Ethical Practice Ethnography Ethnomethodology and Conversational Analysis Evaluation Studies Experiments Feminist Research Fieldwork Grounded Theory Group Discussions/Focus Groups Hawthorne Effect Hypothesis Indicators and Operationalisations Internet and Other Searches Internet Polling Interviewing Key Informants Levels of Measurement Longitudinal and Cross-Sectional Studies Methods and Methodologies Objectivity Observation Official Statistics Participant Observation Positivism and Realism Qualitative Methods Quantitative Methods Questionnaires Reflexivity Reliability Sampling Estimates and Size Sampling Questions of Size Sampling Types Secondary Analysis Social Surveys Telephone and Computer-Assisted Polling Unobstrusive Methods and Triangulation Validity Visual Methods
1,023 citations
28 Apr 2011
TL;DR: The 7th edition of the long-running bestseller Research Methods in Education (RME) as mentioned in this paper is the most comprehensive survey of educational research at all stages, covering the whole range of methods currently employed by educational research.
Abstract: This rewritten, expanded and updated 7th edition of the long-running bestseller Research Methods in Education encompasses the whole range of methods currently employed by educational research at all stages. It offers plentiful and rich practical advice, underpinned by clear theoretical foundations, research evidence and up-to-date references
693 citations
TL;DR: This paper investigated the relationship between students' opportunity to learn (OIL) and their science achievement and found that OTL variables were significant predictors of both written and hands-on test scores even after students' general ability level, ethnicity, and gender were controlled.
Abstract: This study investigated the relationship between students’ opportunity to learn (OIL) and their science achievement. The data are of 623 8th-graders enrolled in five public schools in Los Angeles, California. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to analyze OTL variables at two levels of instructional processes: the classroom level and the student level. Students’ science test scores are based on a written test and a hands-on test. OTL effects on these two test scores were studied to see whether the effects differ depending on how science achievement is measured. It was found that OTL variables were significant predictors of both written and hands-on test scores even after students’ general ability level, ethnicity, and gender were controlled. The OTL effects varied by test format (written test and hands-on test). Content exposure was the most significant predictor of students’ written test scores, and quality of instructional delivery was the most significant predictor of the hands-on test scores. In con...
173 citations
"Capacity building for teaching and ..." refers background in this paper
...…to include issues relating to the curriculum offering (Baratz-Snowden 1993), content exposure variables (Stevens 1993) or “time on task” (Rousseau & Powell 2005), quality instructional delivery (Stevens 1993), and teachers’ effectiveness in the presentation of the lesson (Wang 1998), inter alia....
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