Welfare Reform on the Web (July 2005): Education - Overseas
Children, education and health: international perspectives on law and policy
N. Harris and P. Meredith (editors)
Aldershot: Ashgate, 2005
It is widely accepted that effective education underpins good health and that individuals have a right to be educated so that they understand the risks and health consequences of lifestyle choices. However, the area of children's health and education is a complex one and the issues involved are often controversial. This volume examines the relationship between children's education and health from an international perspective and explores some of the more problematic legal and policy issues. The authors look at a broad range of issues such as sex, HIV, drugs, bullying, mental health, etc within both a national and international context. The discussion also raises broader questions concerning religious/moral rights within pluralistic societies and the relationship between authorities, teachers and families.
Consumerism in education: a comparison between Canada and the United Kingdom
I. Freeman & M. Thomas
International Journal of Education Management Vol. 19, 2005, p 153 - 177
Unlike Canada, UK tertiary education has become a commercial product in an international playing field. Framed by issues of education accepted as the foundation of economic growth, the knowledge economy, the globalization of business and international trade agreements, this viewpoint paper examines education policies and their implementation in Canada and the U.K, looking at the international reputation of qualifications, the balance between consumerism and academic integrity, and whether education's economic value can be measured in terms of the results for students and society rather than just in numbers of students enrolled.
The expansion of college education in the United States: is there evidence of declining cohort quality?
C. Juhn, Dae Il Kim and F. Vella
Economic Inquiry, vol.43, 2005, p.303-315
Article asks whether the increase in the number of college graduates in the USA between 1940 and 1990 led to a decline in their average ability. Using 1940-1990 Census data, research explored whether college graduates from the more educated cohorts receive a smaller college premium, even controlling for the relative supply effect. Changes in ability were not observed directly, but inferred through changes in relative wages. Some weak evidence was found that college graduate men from highly educated cohorts earn a relatively smaller wage premium. Results suggest that changes in cohort quality played a minimal role in recent years, with relative supply and demand shocks accounting for most of the variation in wages.
Fees? Nein, danke
M. Becker
Education Guardian, June 21st 2005, p. 22
Report on German students' attempts to keep university tuition free.
The future of adult education in the urban African-American church
E.P. Isaac
Education and Urban Society, vol.37, 2005, p.276-291
Urban communities in the USA face challenges of high crime rates, high unemployment, persistent poverty and falling populations as the more affluent move out to the suburbs. The African American church is one of the most stable of the institutions remaining in the inner city. In this context it's historic role as a provider of informal adult education is likely to grow.
Higher education in a box
S. Poch
International Journal of Education Management Vol. 19, 2005, p 246 - 258
This paper looks at the experience of transfer students in a US university that is reacting to new state-mandated graduation efficiency goals through the lens of Brofenbrenner's ecological theory. It also seeks to understand how higher education institutions react when confronted with new accountability measures. Beyond these aims, the paper also seeks to develop a grounded theory that helps all players understand the tensions that exist between the state, the universities and transfer students. The paper concludes that transfer students' perceptions of their university experiences were heavily influenced by interactions between the systems, and that this experience in turn influenced university's policies.
The impact of cultural biases on African American students’ education: a review of research literature regarding race based schooling
P.B. Baker
Education and Urban Society, vol.37, 2005, p.243-256
Schools in the USA are set up to transmit the dominant White culture and ignore African-American culture and history. This sabotages the learning of African-American students. Author calls for different cultural perspectives to be presented in education.
The opportunity costs of admission preferences at elite universities
T.J. Espenshade and C.Y. Chung
Social Science Quarterly, vol.86, 2005, p.293-305
Selective private research universities in the USA discriminate in favour of African-American applicants, student athletes, Hispanic Americans and children of alumni. Authors use micro-simulations based on data from three highly selective institutions to illustrate the effects of withdrawing preferential treatment for different student groups. Results show that eliminating affirmative action would substantially reduce the percentage of African Americans and Hispanics among admitted students. However, preferential treatment for athletes and children of alumni only mildly displace members of minority groups. Elimination of affirmative action would benefit Asian American applicants more than Whites.
The power of eLearning in South Africa
J. Bredenkamp
International Journal on School Disaffection, vol.3, no.1, 2005, p.50-51
Presents a case study of how IT is supporting educational inclusiveness in South Africa. Shows how the PLATO Learning system was used in a further education college to identify fundamental gaps in students' learning and prescribe a personal curriculum to enable them to catch up.
Strengthening African universities’ strategic role in knowledge and technology development: policies and practice from Sudan
A. Ahmed and D.J. Newton
International Journal of Learning and Intellectual Capital, vol.2, 2005, p.66-80
Universities in Sub-Saharan Africa are under increasing pressure to contribute to national economic growth and development through knowledge and technology transfer. Article presents a case study of how results of agricultural research at Gezira University are diffused in Sudan.
Teachers, local knowledge and policy implementation: a qualitative policy-practice inquiry
B. Smit
Education and Urban Society, vol.37, 2005, p.292-306
In post-Apartheid South Africa, a new school curriculum was designed by "outside specialists" and introduced into schools without necessary support and training for classroom teachers. Research explored, from an interpretive and/or constructivist perspective, how a group of teachers understood and implemented the new policies at local level.
Technology, e-learning and distance education. 2nd ed.
A.W. Bates
Abingdon: Routledge, 2005
This volume is a guide for anyone wanting advice on how to choose the right technology at the right cost for a course or programme. The underlying principle of this new second edition is no different from the first - that technology is not inherently good or bad for teaching - it's the way that teachers and administrators use it that matters. Fully updated to include all the latest technologies, this volume explores the spectrum of media available, including print, radio, online learning and synchronous conferencing. Exploring the strengths and weaknesses of each medium, the book considers issues such as cost, pedagogy and usability.