980 research outputs found
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Concordance among physical educators’, teachers’, and parents’ perceptions of attention problems in children
No full textObjective: The study examined the concordance among rating sources on attention problems of elementary school–aged children. Method: A randomly selected sample (N = 841) of children was rated by the physical educators, the teachers,and the parents, using the Attention Scales of the Motor Behavior Checklist (MBC), the Teacher Report Form, the Child Behavior Checklist, and the ADHD–Rating Scale–IV (ADHD-RS-IV ).
Results: Convergent validity of the Lack of Attention
Scale of the MBC with the corresponding subscales was supported. Correlations were higher between teachers’ ratings and between physical educators’ and teachers’ ratings than between physical educators’ and parents’ ratings or between teachers’ and parents’ ratings. Conclusion: Findings underscore the importance of taking the child’s settings and observer influences into account and suggest that MBC is a new promising instrument for screening attention problems in school settings
First footing inter-faith dialogue
No full textThis article examines an action research project on inter-faith dialogue within the sensitive context of Catholic pupils being taught Catholic religious education in state-funded secondary schools. Twenty pupils in S3 and S4 (Year 10 and Year 11) participated in a series of three paired conversations that focused primarily on science and religion, values and historical evidence. Their conversations were analysed quantitatively and qualitatively with regard to the dialogic skills of cumulative talk and exploratory talk, and deep learning in religious education. The pupils displayed high levels of engagement with both cumulative and exploratory talk; and statistical analysis through a chi-square test indicated a significant amount of deep learning occurring. This article concludes that inter-faith dialogue can promote the development of both cumulative talk and exploratory talk amongst secondary school pupils. Such dialogue also provides opportunities for peer teaching, critical reflection and deep learning
Approaches in the early years: issues and reflections
No full textThe chapter explores key aspects of early years pedagogy and the research that informs it. Early years provision in England is undergoing significant change through the introduction of the government's Early Years Foundation Stage framework (DfE, 2012) and its accompanying EYFS profile. These aspects are considered in this chapter, which opens with a discussion of research that has impacted on views of child development and possible approaches when devising educational provision for young children
South East Asian migrant experiences in regional Victoria: Exploring well-being
No full textThis article outlines a recent pilot project in Bendigo that collected baseline data in order to develop a preliminary understanding of regional migration experiences. The literature indicated that migrant experiences in Australian regional communities are under-researched. Sixty participants from South East Asia, who have migrated to Bendigo, Victoria within the last five years, completed a mixed-methods survey. The key findings reported upon are socio-structural factors, social connectedness and psychosocial well-being. Crucial factors such as culture, spirituality and non-English-language, link to the more complex issues of personal, social and cultural identity. These findings are significant in adding to the limited data and discussion about newly arrived migrants in rural and regional communities. There are sociological implications from this preliminary data concerning social capital and psychosocial well-being. There are also implications for policy development and professional practice for migration to rural and regional communities
From alpha to omega: a practical solution to the pervasive problem of internal consistency estimation
No full textCoefficient alpha is the most popular measure of reliability (and certainly of internal consistency reliability) reported in psychological research. This is noteworthy given the numerous deficiencies of coefficient alpha documented in the psychometric literature. This mismatch between theory and practice appears to arise partly because users of psychological scales are unfamiliar with the psychometric literature on coefficient alpha and partly because alternatives to alpha are not widely known. We present a brief review of the psychometric literature on coefficient alpha, followed by a practical alternative in the form of coefficient omega. To facilitate the shift from alpha to omega, we also present a brief guide to the calculation of point and interval estimates of omega using a free, open source software environment
Why relationships matter: parent and early childhood teacher perspectives about the provisions afforded by young children's relationships
No full textThis study investigated the perspectives of early childhood teachers and parents regarding the importance of provisions afforded by child–teacher and peer relationships in early childhood centres. Participants were 200 parents and 71 teachers of children aged 0–5 years who responded to an online survey containing a series of relationship function statements that were rated according to their perceived importance. Results demonstrate that most functions were rated as more important in the context of child–teacher relationships than peer relationships, although statements reflecting the provision of friendship were regarded as more important in the domain of peer relationships. Ratings for particular provisions of infant relationships were significantly lower than those for older children; a result generated largely by variation in the ratings of teachers in comparison to those of parents. Findings are discussed in relation to differences between parent and teacher perspectives and implications for the development of inclusive, relationship-based pedagogies
Aspects of terrorism and martyrdom: dying for good, dying for God
No full textThe first collection of its kind to provide a comprehensive investigation of terrorism, suicide terrorism and martyrdom in an empirical study that spans continents and cultures from Northern Ireland to Tokyo, Japan, the Middle East, the UK, America, Israel and elsewhere throughout the world. This is a collection of empirical and theoretical studies dealing with terrorism, peace-making, peace keeping and post-traumatic treatment of those injured by violence through acts of terrorism and martyrdom. The research is world-wide in scope and multidisciplinary in content and focus. It illustrates that the combination of religion, politics and terrorism is not a new phenomenon and it is not confined to the Muslim world. The book goes to the heart of these issues, in particular focusing on the religious aspect of these questions, which is epitomized in the woeful lack of understanding in western society regarding Islam and the Islamic world
Economics of households in pacific island countries: A case study of Vanuatu and Tuvalu
No full textThe source of livelihood varies amongst the Pacific Island Countries and also within a country; between urban and rural areas. Most Pacific Island Countries (PICs) and their households rely on subsistence activities and agriculture for their livelihood. This research was based on surveys conducted in Piliura and Tassiriki villages in Vanuatu and Vaiaku, Senala and Tumaseu villages in Tuvalu, which involved developing a methodology for household surveys to elucidate issues linked to livelihood. The analysis revealed that the major source of household income in Vanuatu study sites was from the sale of products, while in Funafuti (Tuvalu) households earned the majority of their income from wages/salaries. However, in Tumaseu village (Tuvalu) the households generated their source of income from both wages and sale of products. In all the study sites, food was the major household expense. This study was aimed at allowing researchers and decision makers a better understanding of the economic realities for households in PICs
Is something better than nothing? An evaluation of early childhood programs in Cambodia
No full textThis study evaluated the relative effectiveness of home-based, community-based, and state-run early child-
hood programs across Cambodia. A total of 880 five-year-olds (55% girls) from 6 rural provinces in Cambodia attending State Preschools, Community Preschools, Home-Based Programs, or no programs were assessed
twice using the Cambodian Developmental Assessment Test. Controlling for baseline differences, children who participated in any early childhood programs performed significantly better in posttest than those of children who did not participate in any programs. Children in State Preschools scored significantly higher than those in either Community Preschools or Home-Based Programs; scores did not differ as a function of attending Community Preschools or Home-Based Programs. The results indicate that some preschool experience is better than none at all
Case Studies
No full textCase studies are used to illustrate step-by-step methods for calculating biomass resources and uses in modern applications, based on fieldwork experiences, or to illustrate perceptions of potential major changes or trends in a particular area, for example the increasing use of bioenergy in modern applications. There are five case studies, individually authored, as detailed below