Compassion: the legacy of the pandemic in rural schools and communities

2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kara Lasater ◽  
Meghan Scales ◽  
Kelley Sells ◽  
Meleah Hoskins ◽  
Jordan Dickey
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Rural Schools ◽  
Classroom Teacher ◽  
School Psychologist ◽  
Assistant Professor ◽  
Compassionate Care ◽  
Transformative Power ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Special Services ◽  
Building Level

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how rural schools and communities responded to the COVID-19 pandemic through compassionate care. Design/methodology/approach This paper provides “compassion narratives” (Frost et al., 2006, p. 851) from five educators (i.e. the authors) working and/or living in rural communities. Each narrative describes how compassion was witnessed and experienced from various professional positions (which include classroom teacher; building-level leader; district-level leader; special services director and school psychologist; and assistant professor of educational leadership). Findings The compassion narratives described in this paper demonstrate how various organizations and communities responded to COVID-19 through compassionate care. They also provide a lens for considering how rural schools and communities might sustain compassion in a post-pandemic world. Originality/value This paper extends disciplinary knowledge by considering the healing, transformative power of compassion within rural schools and communities – not just in response to COVID-19 but in response to all future adversities.

A paradox of place: civic education in the rural south

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-121
Author(s):  
Eric Moffa
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Civic Education ◽  
Rural Schools ◽  
Comparison Method ◽  
Major Theme ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
Post Secondary ◽  
Theoretical Perspectives ◽  
12Th Grade

Purpose Due to the complexities of place and the limited knowledge of citizenship education in rural contexts, the purpose of this paper is to examine civics teachers’ perceptions of place in rural schools and its influence on their decision making about the curriculum. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative case study design was utilized. Four 12th grade civics teachers were sampled across three rural schools in a southern state. Data came from interviews, classroom observations and teaching artifacts. A constant comparison method of data analysis led to the emergence of a major theme: the paradoxical treatment of place in civic education in rural schools. Findings Participants implemented place-based pedagogies while simultaneously promoting the narrative that students leave their home communities after graduation due to limited post-secondary opportunities (i.e. place-based learning for future (dis)placements). Participants reconciled leaving narratives and the displaced futures of students by emphasizing “the basics” devoid of place. Originality/value The paradoxical treatment of place, as influenced by teachers’ perceptions and civic sensibilities, contrasted with theoretical perspectives on place-based education that emphasize inhabiting and attending to place. Findings suggest the need to prepare rural civics teachers for place-conscious civic pedagogies to challenge paradoxical treatments of place and engender democratic investments in rural communities.

scholarly journals Community participation in rural Ecuador’s school feeding programme

2017 ◽  
Vol 117 (2) ◽  
pp. 176-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene Torres ◽  
Venka Simovska
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Community Participation ◽  
Rural Schools ◽  
Local Conditions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
School Feeding ◽  
Education And Health ◽  
Meaningful Participation ◽  
Small Rural Schools

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the debate concerning community participation in school-based health education and health promotion, with regard to food and nutrition. Design/methodology/approach Based on empirical data generated over the course of one year of fieldwork in three rural communities and schools in Ecuador, the study examines community participation related to the implementation of the school feeding programme (SFP) in rural schools in Ecuador. The conceptual framework for the study is shaped by the concepts of student and community participation within the health promoting school (HPS) paradigm. Findings The findings help identify and portray different forms of community participation, ranging from a total absence of meaningful participation, though very limited, to consequential participation determined as community influence on the SFP practices to meet the community needs, priorities and systems of meanings. Research limitations/implications The study shows that the meaningful participation of the parents and community members in small rural schools in a low- to middle-income country such as Ecuador can be linked to an empowered stance towards the SFP so that it is better tuned to local conditions, priorities and systems of meaning. School leadership, geographical characteristics and internal community organization seem to influence how participation is valued and enacted. Challenges remain in the interpretations of community participation, including counter- and non-participation of members. Originality/value The study contributes to an understanding of policy implementation and the implications of a HPS approach to health education and health promotion in small rural schools.

involvED: Applying a Scientific Approach to Education Technology Innovation for Promoting Family Engagement in the Schools

2021 ◽  
pp. 004723952110551
Author(s):  
Lindsay B. Eck ◽  
Samuel F. Whitley
Keyword(s):  
Family Involvement ◽  
Classroom Teacher ◽  
School Psychologist ◽  
Family Systems Theory ◽  
Social Emotional ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Scientific Approach ◽  
Consistent Manner ◽  
School Events ◽  
Technology Tool

Parent involvement is a reverently studied, crucial concept that impacts overall student achievement. An educational technology tool, involvED, was developed by a School Psychologist and Licensed Clinical Social Worker using principles of behavioral change research and grounded in family systems theory. Incorporating a scientific approach for targeted, meaningful intervention in regards to family involvement allows for addressment of equity gaps by educating underprivileged families on vital skills, including academic readiness, social emotional learning and trauma informed practices and responses, all while providing incentives for various levels of engagement. The researchers hypothesized that by educating families in an efficient, convenient and consistent manner, as well as providing user- selected incentives for engagement, it would not only increase parent attendance at school events, but also increase the academic, social and emotional skills of the child. Positive statistically significant effects were found amongst users of the tool on both dependent variables, event attendance and the academic, social and emotional ratings of the targeted students by the classroom teacher via the SAEBRS. By addressing potential parental skill deficits and incentivizing prosocial behaviors, student outcomes are positively affected, influencing a breadth of stakeholders.

Transforming higher education in Ghana in times of disruption: flexible learning in rural communities with high latency internet connectivity

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Harry Barton Essel ◽  
Dimitrios Vlachopoulos ◽  
Dickson Adom ◽  
Akosua Tachie-Menson
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Online Teaching ◽  
Cell Phone ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Internet Connectivity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Postgraduate Students ◽  
Video Teleconferencing ◽  
A Cell

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore the characteristics and potential effects of teaching and learning through audio teleconferencing (dial-in) with a cell phone. In addition, the study aims to identify the associations between the audio teleconferencing and video teleconferencing in a 12-week postgraduate course. Design/methodology/approach The study is a cross-sectional survey conducted at the Department of Educational Innovations at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology from March to June 2020. The purposive sampling technique was used to sample 100 postgraduate students who registered for a course in the department. The data for the study were collected using the System Usability Scale (SUS) and 17-item self-administered eQuestionnaire. Multiple Linear Regression analysis, ANOVA, Independent sample T-test and Mann–Whitney U-test were used to estimate the differences in course achievements of students who experienced education through audio teleconferencing and those who experienced education through video teleconferencing. Findings In total, 59% of the participating postgraduate students chose to attend the synchronous online lectures via audio teleconferencing (dial-in). The participants gave a high SUS score (SUS > 80.3; Grade A; Excellent) for audio conferencing service. Among the students in the audio teleconferencing cohort, the results evidenced a strong positive linear correlation, (r (57) = 0.79, p < 0.05), between the individual adjective ratings and the SUS scores. There was marginal significance among demography of students in the audio teleconference (AT) cohort with regards to their perception about the dial-in lecture. There was no statistically significant difference, (t (98) = 1.88, p = 0.063), in the achievement test for AT students and video teleconference (VT) students. The instructors and the students were satisfied with the AT. Practical implications Based on the students’ preference, AT offers equal benefit as VT with regards to system satisfaction and perceived quality of online teaching. AT, as teaching modality, should be an option for students who reside in communities with high latency internet connectivity. It is recommended that instructors are trained on how to engage and motivate students via AT. Originality/value Higher education institutions in Ghana are facing decisions about how to continue learning and teaching through flexible pedagogy, while keeping their faculty members and students protected from the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of these institutions have canceled the brick-and-mortar education and other conventional learning practices and have instructed faculty to adopt online teaching through synchronous video teleconferencing platforms. However, the learning experience is not the same for students who reside in remote or rural communities with low bandwidth. There is very little research in this topic, especially in developing countries like Ghana, and the present study aims to bridge the gap in the literature by exploring the characteristics and potential effects of teaching and learning through audio teleconferencing (dial-in) with a cell phone, in the context of a 12-week postgraduate course.

scholarly journals Online multidisciplinary integrated rural healthcare education programs during the COVID-19 pandemic for students from different universities: experiences and guidelines

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Frances Barraclough ◽  
Sabrina Pit
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Rural Health ◽  
Health Workforce ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Critical Mass ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Teaching Program ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Rural Health Workforce

PurposeThe COVID-19 pandemic has led to “forced innovation” in the health education industry. High-quality training of the future rural health workforce is crucial to ensure a pipeline of rural health practitioners to meet the needs of rural communities. This paper describes the implementation of an online multidisciplinary teaching program focusing on integrated care and the needs of rural communities.Design/methodology/approachA multidisciplinary teaching program was adapted to allow students from various disciplines and universities to learn together during the COVID-19 pandemic. Contemporary issues such as the National Aged Care Advocacy Program for Residential Aged Care COVID-19 Project were explored during the program.FindingsThis case study describes how the program was adopted, how learning needs were met, practical examples (e.g. the Hand Hygiene Advocacy within a Rural School Setting Project), the challenges faced and solutions developed to address these challenges. Guidelines are proposed for remote multidisciplinary learning among health professional students, including those in medical, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, and allied health disciplines.Originality/valueThe originality of this program centers around students from multiple universities and disciplines and various year levels learning together in a rural area over an extended period of time. Collaboration among universities assists educators in rural areas to achieve critical mass to teach students. In addition it provides experiences and guidance for the work integrated learning sector, rural health workforce practitioners, rural clinical schools, universities, policy makers, and educators who wish to expand rural online multidisciplinary learning.

Tribe and village in African organizations and business

2016 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Ulrik Kragh
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Sociological Theory ◽  
Cultural Patterns ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Organizational Behaviour ◽  
Analytical Perspective ◽  
Anthropological Literature ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to show that organizational behaviour and business relations in African countries reflect preindustrial social norms typical of kinship based, rural communities such as in-group/out-group differentiation, reliance on kinship and the use of gift-exchange to create and strengthen social bonds. Design/methodology/approach – Two books on African management are interpreted using anthropological and sociological theory as the analytical perspective. Findings – The analysis of the two works suggests that the preindustrial patterns described in the anthropological literature play a central role in African management and business. Practical implications – The paper concludes that manager should recognize the negative effects that may follow from a rejection of these socio-cultural patterns of behaviour. Originality/value – It introduces Marshall Sahlins’ theory of social distance and reciprocity showing how this theory explains behaviours in and between African organizations.

Protected areas and environmental conservation in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: on HEIs, livelihoods and sustainable development

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Inocent Moyo ◽  
Hlengiwe Marvelous Sweetness Cele
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Environmental Conservation ◽  
Developmental Needs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research And Innovation ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Micro Level

Purpose The paper aims to advocate for innovative approaches in terms of the involvement of higher education institutions (HEIs) in the conservation of the environment, which fully considers and includes the developmental needs of indigenous communities while at the same time protecting the environment. Design/methodology/approach Using a qualitative study of indigenous communities and protected area (PA) authorities in Okhahlamba-Drakensberg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, this paper explores the potential of the engagement of HEIs in capacitating indigenous communities to unleash their development potential towards reducing poverty and, thus accelerating the implementation of sustainable development goal one (SDG 1). Findings The paper shows that the enforcement of stringently protectionist policies in environmental conservation in PAs does very little to address issues of poverty because it leads to the marginalisation of indigenous communities and thereby their exclusion from using resources, which should benefit them. This undermines sustainable development, particularly the attainment of SDGs such as Goal 1, which targets ending poverty in all its forms everywhere. Originality/value Using the case of environmental management and governance of a PA in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, this paper highlights the fact that the attainment of SDG 1 can start at a micro-level and HEIs have a role to play in terms of collaborating with and understanding the needs of the rural communities so that research and innovation are geared towards meeting such needs. In this way, the paper advances the case of how the HEI-rural community-SDG 1 nexus can be established.

Extending Educational Opportunities in Rural Areas

2010 ◽  
pp. 276-294
Author(s):  
Wallace Hannum ◽  
Matthew Irvin ◽  
Claire de la Varre
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Distance Education ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Rural Schools ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
The United States ◽  
Further Education ◽  
Educational Opportunities ◽  
Qualified Teachers ◽  
Declining Populations

Rural schools in many countries face problems in providing educational opportunities to children and youth for a variety of reasons. There has been the tendency in many countries to migrate to urban areas, often in search of better economic opportunities. The resulting shift from rural areas to urban/suburban areas has placed increased pressures on schools in rural communities. Schools often form the hub of social and civic activity in rural communities. Although they are an important component to rural communities, many rural schools are struggling under the weight of declining populations, declining budgets, staffing difficulties, and increased pressures to better prepare students for the workforce or further education. Rural schools face particular difficulties in attracting and retaining qualified teachers. Faced with problems of providing a comprehensive curriculum and qualified teachers, many rural schools in the United States have turned to distance education. This case explores the use of distance education in the United States through a national survey of distance education use, analysis of barriers to distance education and an experimental study of enhancing distance education through more appropriate training of local facilitators to support students.

Morality and the Ethic of Care: Peaceable Rural Schools, Caring Rural Communities

1998 ◽  
Vol 17 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 71-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda P. Thurston ◽  
Terry R. Berkeley
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Rural Schools ◽  
Ethic Of Care ◽  
Support Staff ◽  
Suburban Schools ◽  
Personal Safety ◽  
Ethic Of Caring ◽  
Peaceable Schools ◽  
American Schools ◽  
The Impact

There is violence and a loss of personal safety in rural schools as there is in urban and suburban schools. The impact is felt by children, teachers, support staff, administrators, and citizens in the communities in which those schools are located. These tensions are as widespread as are the great differences and increased diversity of America's rural communities. In this article, these concerns are discussed. Solutions are presented with violence and the loss of personal safety being highlighted as resolvable problems via a consideration of all members of the community moving to an ethic of caring, living in communities characterized as caring, thus, attending peaceable schools. Morality and the Ethic of Care: Peaceable Rural Schools, Caring Rural Communities “To educate a person in mind but not in morals is a menace to society.” T. Roosevelt “A question a'int really a question if you know the answer too.” J. Prine “The best thing for disturbances of the spirit…is to learn.” T.H. White Recently on National Public Radio's “Morning Edition” it was reported in Butte, Montana, the Superintendent of Schools now has the principals in the district hold regular safety drills for her students, teachers, aides, and other staff in light of the recent spate of publicized attacks of violence taking place in American schools, especially those taking place in Rural Schools.

Analysis of the factors affecting probable failure of local entrepreneurs

2020 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-115
Author(s):  
Hamdollah Sojasi Qeidari ◽  
Mahdi Salehi ◽  
Hamid Shayan ◽  
Seyed Reza Hosseini Kahnooj ◽  
Tahereh Sadeghloo
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Stepwise Regression ◽  
Computer Software ◽  
Computer Application ◽  
Statistical Population ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Social Barriers ◽  
Managerial Skills ◽  
Probable Failure

Purpose This study aims to investigate and analyze the factors affecting the probable failure of rural entrepreneurs so that the most important factors responsible for failure in the business of small and local entrepreneurs are identified. Design/methodology/approach The present survey was conducted through the descriptive-analytical method by using a researcher-made questionnaire. The statistical population of the study included 1,641 greenhouse owner entrepreneurs in five rural communities. To clarify the key criteria affecting probable failure of greenhouse businesses, LISREL 8.8 computer software was used and the effects of selected indices on the process of probable failure of entrepreneurs were assessed using stepwise regression in the SPSS computer application environment. Findings According to the results, individual and managerial skills factors, deterrent financial and legal issues, social barriers and infrastructural issues investigated in this study were of the first to the fourth priorities in clarifying factors affecting probable failure of greenhouse businesses. Considering the intragroup relations in these factors, it could be said that individual and managerial skills factors and infrastructural issues had the highest correlation coefficient which could be attributed to individual and management weaknesses of entrepreneurs in understanding infrastructural issues as the most important parameters to be considered in starting businesses. Originality/value So far, few studies analyzed the failure of rural entrepreneurs and evaluated the probable factors affecting it. Thus, the present study is among the earliest instances in the field and its results could be of great benefit to domestic entrepreneurs and similar cases in other countries.

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