Harnessing Youth Activism with/in Undergraduate Education: A Case Study of Change Lab

Author(s):  
Audrey Desjardins ◽  
Sabrina Hauser ◽  
Jennifer A. McRae ◽  
Carlos G. A. Ormond ◽  
Deanna Rogers ◽  
...  
2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather Kanuka ◽  
Summer Cowley

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to gain insights into how academics understand undergraduate graduand attributes. The findings reveal some alignment in views about student attributes, including that they are engaged citizens, are self-directed, have imagination, are questioning, are flexible, display leadership, are problem solvers, and possess character. This consistency, however, does not include the spectrum of views on how these attributes are conceived and developed. The findings reveal a range of interpretations regarding the kinds and levels of understandings of how graduand student attributes are developed throughout an undergraduate program of study. The findings indicate that (i) a shared understanding does not exist on how academics construe student attributes, (ii) academics do not share common meanings about the core achievements of a higher education, or how these are developed through students’ undergraduate programs, and (iii) student attributes tend not to be perceived as developing from the usual process of an undergraduate education.  


2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 345-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Swerts

In recent years, undocumented youth have come out of the shadows to claim their rights in the United States. By sharing their stories, these youth gained a voice in the public debate. This article integrates insights from the literature on narratives and emotions to study how story-telling is employed within the undocumented youth movement in Chicago. I argue that undocumented youth strategically use storytelling for diverging purposes depending on the context, type of interaction, and audience involved. Based on ethnographic research, I show that storytelling allows them to incorporate new members, mobilize constituencies, and legitimize grievances. In each of these contexts, emotions play a key role in structuring the social transaction between storyteller and audience. Storytelling is thus a community-building, mobilizing, and claims-making practice in social movements. At a broader level, this case study demonstrates the power of storytelling as a political tool for marginalized populations.


Author(s):  
Christina Janise McIntyre ◽  
Angela M. Cartwright ◽  
Stacia C. Miller

The purpose of this case study was to determine if the common practice of Impact on Student Learning (ISL) projects, such as those found in the edTPA and TK20 systems, is adequately preparing preservice teachers to engage in the kinds of action research that are necessary for continuously improving classroom practice. In these projects, teacher candidates administer pre- and post-tests, then determine the efficacy of the lessons between by comparing the scores. While ISL projects provide exposure to assessment for planning, it leaves preservice teachers underprepared for the types of action research that are required for continuously improving classroom practice. Preservice teachers would benefit from additional experiences with research during their undergraduate education programs in order to increase their efficacy, and interest, in classroom research practices.


2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 148-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lihong Zhou ◽  
Yuerong Hu ◽  
Jie Xu

This research study aimed to investigate the lack of student engagement in Chinese library science (LS) undergraduate education. Specifically, this study aimed to identify and understand the causes of the lack of student engagement and to articulate effective and pragmatic resolving strategies. This study adopted an inductive approach and a single case study design. The LS program at Wuhan University was employed as the case study, in which 29 full-time students were interviewed using a semi-structured question script. A thematic analysis of the interview transcripts pointed to 11 causes of the lack of student engagement. The conceptualisation of the research findings suggested revising the existing LS curricula and maintaining dynamic and interactive relationships among three main determinants of student engagement: curricular design, students’ individual interests, and career prospects. This study provides a perspective on the development and survival of LS education in China and shares important lessons and experiences for LS educators and policy makers across international borders.


2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-112
Author(s):  
Radoslav Hlúšek

Abstract The study deals with the activism of young Slovak people on the field of ecology and conservation of Slovak nature. As an example of this kind of activism Wolf - Forest Protection Movement was selected because it is the most active and most successful environmental organization in Slovakia. The main objective of this case study is to describe and analyse organisational structure and activities of Wolf on the background of wider general and theoretical framework what enables to classify this organisation in wide spectrum of youth activism, especially youth environmental activism in Slovakia. Apart from theoretical approach, organisational structure and broad range of activities of Wolf the study presents also political and civic attitudes of its young members, financing of the organisation and attractiveness of Wolf to young people in Slovakia.


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