Are Teaching Practices Suitable for Classes of Six-Year-Old Children?

Author(s):  
Gisela Wajskop

The present study is the result of an investigation carried out for eight months, from March to October 2006, comprises Grade 1 classes at the São Paulo Public Education System, Brazil. Forty teacher students performing literacy activities during their pre-service activities simultaneously conducted this action research in 40 Grade 1. Six-year-old children were moved from preschool education to elementary schools since 2006 in order to respect the legal determinations defined by the Lei de Diretrizes e Bases da Educação Nacional (Brasil, 1996), which expanded basic education from 8 to 9 years. Such democratic governmental action, however, has raised issues concerning the way very young children are taught in a typically school-like context. From this perspective, our study enables us to raise sociocultural problems regarding the non-inclusive pedagogical practices in use. Results show non-inclusive pedagogical practices, as well some paths to change this educational setting.

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (esp.) ◽  
pp. 106
Author(s):  
Alessandra Rodrigues De Almeida ◽  
Maria Auxiliadora Bueno Andrade Megid

 Este artigo apresenta uma investigação a respeito de práticas pedagógicas desenvolvidas, por professores da Educação Infantil e dos Anos Iniciais do Ensino Fundamental em formação continuada, num grupo de estudos com características colaborativas que discute o ensino e a aprendizagem da Matemática. Com o objetivo de discutir as reverberações das aprendizagens dos estudos em colaboração nas práticas docentes a respeito do tema Grandezas e Medidas, o texto foca, especificamente, as práticas de dois dos participantes em relação à medida das grandezas comprimento e tempo. Os dados foram produzidos a partir de videogravações de encontros do grupo e de narrativas escritas pelos professores. A pesquisa se desenvolveu numa perspectiva qualitativa, valorizando a descrição dos encontros, da participação dos professores e das interações ocorridas no contexto do grupo e das instituições educacionais onde os professores atuam. O enquadramento metodológico e os procedimentos de análise adotados estão de acordo com a pesquisa narrativa, como um modo de compreender a experiência vivenciada no grupo e com ele. A participação no grupo de estudos possibilitou aos docentes aprendizagens conceituais sobre as Grandezas e Medidas, e sobre seu ensino e aprendizagem nos anos iniciais da educação básica. Tais aprendizagens reverberaram nas práticas dos participantes, tornando-as mais exploratórias e problematizadoras, por meio da inserção do tema e/ou de alterações graduais nas maneiras de abordá-lo com crianças.Palavras-chave: Educação matemática. Grandezas e medidas. Práticas docentes. Grupos colaborativos.REPERCUSSIONS OF LEARNING ABOUT MEASURES INTO THE PRACTICE OF TEACHERS WHO TEACH MATHEMATICS Abstract: This article presents an investigation regarding pedagogical practices developed, by kindergarten and early Elementary School teachers in continuous education, in a study group with collaborative characteristics that discusses teaching and learning Mathematics. Aiming to discuss the repercussions of the learning from collaborative studies in teaching practices regarding the subject of Measurements and Quantities, the text focuses, specifically, on the practices of two of the participants in relation to the measurement of the quantities time and length. The data was produced from video recordings of the group meetings and narratives written by the teachers of the group. The research was developed in a qualitative perspective, valuing the description of the meetings, participation of the teachers and interactions that occurred in the context of the group and educational institutions where the teachers work. The methodological framework and adopted analysis procedures are in accordance with narrative research as a way of understanding the experience lived in and with the group. The participation in the study group allowed teachers’ conceptual learning about Measurements and Quantities, as well as about their teaching and learning in the early years of basic education. Such learning reverberated into the practices of the participants, making them more exploratory and problematizing, through the insertion of the theme and / or gradual changes in the ways of approaching it with children.Keywords: Mathematics education; Measurements and quantities; Teaching practices; Collaborative groups. REPERCUSIONES DE APRENDIZAJE ACERCA DE LAS MEDIDAS EN LA PRÁCTICA DE LOS PROFESORES QUE ENSEÑAN MATEMÁTICASResumen: Este artículo presenta una investigación acerca de las prácticas pedagógicas desarrolladas por maestros de educación infantil y escuela primaria en educación continua en el estudio del grupo de investigación con características colaborativas que debaten la enseñanza y aprendizaje de las matemáticas. El texto se centra específicamente en las prácticas desarrolladas por dos de los participantes en relación con la medida de longitud y tiempo. El objetivo es discutir las repercusiones del aprendizaje de los estudios de colaboración en la enseñanza de las prácticas en relación con el tema de las medidas y cantidades. Los datos se produjeron de videos grabados de las reuniones y narraciones escritas por los profesores del grupo. La investigación se desarrolló en la perspectiva cualitativa, valorando la descripción de las reuniones, la participación de los docentes y las interacciones que pasaran en el contexto del grupo y de las instituciones educativas donde trabajan los maestros. Los procedimientos de análisis y metodología adoptados están de acuerdo con la investigación narrativa como una forma de entender que la experiencia vivida en el grupo y con él . El análisis del proceso de formación indica que la participación en el grupo de estudio ha permitido a los docentes el conceptual aprendizaje sobre las medidas y cantidades, así como sobre su enseñanza y el aprendizaje en los primeros años de educación básica. Este aprendizaje ha repercutido en las prácticas de los participantes, haciéndolas más exploratorias y problematizadas, a través de la inserción de los cambios de tema y/o alteraciones graduales de las formas de lo abordar con niños.Palabras clave: Educación matemática; Medidas y cantidades; Prácticas de enseñanza; Grupos


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gurjeet Dhillon

There has been widespread interest amongst scholars and activists in researching the concept of inclusion of young children with special needs in early childhood settings and public education. This qualitative research study provides insight into the lives of Canadian parents who have children with special needs in public education. Two interviews were conducted with three parents, all of whom have children with special needs in kindergarten and grade one. Key findings were interpreted from a social justice perspective which indicated that children with special needs are excluded in the public education system in a variety of ways. They do not have opportunities for inclusion with their typically developing peers. Parents become advocates as a result and struggle with accessing appropriate services for their children with special needs. Recommendations are made for implementing change within the education system and areas for future research are identified.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Sola Freeman

<p><b>Research has acknowledged the limited range of scientific opportunities for young children in New Zealand early childhood education (ECE) services. The identified reasons include a lack of confidence by ECE teachers, their narrow understanding of science, and their pedagogical approaches to teaching. A complex and non-prescriptive curriculum and dominance of developmental theories in ECE has resulted in science learning via osmosis through a process of a hands-off play-based philosophy of practice. Many have argued for pedagogical approaches that can accommodate scientific learning within a play-based sociocultural-historical setting (e.g., Broström, 2015; Fleer & Pramling, 2015; Kumar & Whyte, 2018). This study investigated the things that influence the occurrence of scientific experiences in ECE. It explored how participating in collaborative action research (CAR) and the involvement of a critical friend influences scientific experiences in centres.</b></p> <p>This study involved two phases: a national survey and CAR with teaching teams in six centres. The researcher took on the role of a critical friend through the CAR process, guiding teachers to critically examine their practice and their centre programme. Action plans were achieved collaboratively within each teaching team. Data was collected over 12 weeks in each centre through focus groups, reflective journals, observations, field notes, and through two research hui with participating teachers from all centres.</p> <p>The findings highlighted the importance of the teachers recognising and fostering children’s scientific experiences. It found that science was enabled in a variety of ECE settings by a shift in teachers’ pedagogical practices, adjustments to centre environments, and recognising and responding to children’s interests. Teachers enabled rich, authentic, and meaningful scientific interactions with children by their active participation in supporting and extending children’s science interests with intentional teaching practices and provocations.</p> <p>This thesis argues for the value of CAR and the role of a critical friend to facilitate teachers’ motivation, engagement, learning and reflection on practice. Seeking a change in practice through professional learning and CAR, brought about ownership of their goals and action plans, and the eventual shifts in teachers’ pedagogy of practice.</p> <p>The shift towards intentional teaching practices, provocations, and opening doors to knowledge, validated and forefronted the importance of the teachers’ role and emphasised their value in noticing, recognising, and responding to children’s scientific interests in authentic and meaningful ways.</p>


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Sola Freeman

<p><b>Research has acknowledged the limited range of scientific opportunities for young children in New Zealand early childhood education (ECE) services. The identified reasons include a lack of confidence by ECE teachers, their narrow understanding of science, and their pedagogical approaches to teaching. A complex and non-prescriptive curriculum and dominance of developmental theories in ECE has resulted in science learning via osmosis through a process of a hands-off play-based philosophy of practice. Many have argued for pedagogical approaches that can accommodate scientific learning within a play-based sociocultural-historical setting (e.g., Broström, 2015; Fleer & Pramling, 2015; Kumar & Whyte, 2018). This study investigated the things that influence the occurrence of scientific experiences in ECE. It explored how participating in collaborative action research (CAR) and the involvement of a critical friend influences scientific experiences in centres.</b></p> <p>This study involved two phases: a national survey and CAR with teaching teams in six centres. The researcher took on the role of a critical friend through the CAR process, guiding teachers to critically examine their practice and their centre programme. Action plans were achieved collaboratively within each teaching team. Data was collected over 12 weeks in each centre through focus groups, reflective journals, observations, field notes, and through two research hui with participating teachers from all centres.</p> <p>The findings highlighted the importance of the teachers recognising and fostering children’s scientific experiences. It found that science was enabled in a variety of ECE settings by a shift in teachers’ pedagogical practices, adjustments to centre environments, and recognising and responding to children’s interests. Teachers enabled rich, authentic, and meaningful scientific interactions with children by their active participation in supporting and extending children’s science interests with intentional teaching practices and provocations.</p> <p>This thesis argues for the value of CAR and the role of a critical friend to facilitate teachers’ motivation, engagement, learning and reflection on practice. Seeking a change in practice through professional learning and CAR, brought about ownership of their goals and action plans, and the eventual shifts in teachers’ pedagogy of practice.</p> <p>The shift towards intentional teaching practices, provocations, and opening doors to knowledge, validated and forefronted the importance of the teachers’ role and emphasised their value in noticing, recognising, and responding to children’s scientific interests in authentic and meaningful ways.</p>


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gurjeet Dhillon

There has been widespread interest amongst scholars and activists in researching the concept of inclusion of young children with special needs in early childhood settings and public education. This qualitative research study provides insight into the lives of Canadian parents who have children with special needs in public education. Two interviews were conducted with three parents, all of whom have children with special needs in kindergarten and grade one. Key findings were interpreted from a social justice perspective which indicated that children with special needs are excluded in the public education system in a variety of ways. They do not have opportunities for inclusion with their typically developing peers. Parents become advocates as a result and struggle with accessing appropriate services for their children with special needs. Recommendations are made for implementing change within the education system and areas for future research are identified.


2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 995-1010
Author(s):  
Nicholas Rowe ◽  
Xi Xiong ◽  
Heyang Tuomeiciren

This article investigates the challenges that tertiary educators face when seeking to implement education-policy reforms in China. Our qualitative study presents the narratives of tertiary dance educators from eight universities who have actively sought to shift their pedagogical practices as acts of transgression. Their stories reveal the ways that teachers experience pressure to perpetuate authoritarian teaching practices, from their students, from other teachers, and from their institutional leaders. Viewing this learning culture through a Foucauldian lens, we critically question how an authoritarian discourse pervades the tertiary dance education system. Through this, we identify how surveillance and a continual sense of comparison (between students, teachers and institutions), sustains authoritarian pedagogies and inhibits individual teachers’ approaches to educational reform.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (12-2) ◽  
pp. 175-184
Author(s):  
Jeenbek Alymbaev ◽  
Ainura Mamatova ◽  
Saltanat Tashbolotova

Based on archival materials obtained from the Central State Archive of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the article analyzes the state of public education in modern Kyrgyzstan during the period under review as part of the Turkestan Governor General in the Semirechensk, Syr-Dariya and Ferghana Regions. It is noted that since the 1870s civil and church elementary schools began to work for children of the Russian-speaking population. The article also draws attention to the emergence of new-method schools, the features of which consisted in the abandonment of the old education system. These schools draw attention to methods, training periods and subjects of teaching. One of the features of public education of the period under review was the functioning of Muslim educational institutions, madrasa.


2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heba El-Deghaidy

Abstract This study reports on Egyptian science teachers’ experiences in collective action research projects with a focus on education for sustainable development (ESD). Science teachers were enrolled in a study course “Teaching Strategies” that had been revised with a focus on sustainability. The course was introduced in the spring semester of the academic year 2011/2012. Throughout the course, 29 teachers worked in groups to develop projects that promote sustainable development through classroom teaching practices that encourage involvement with local communities around school premises. The framework that guided the study was based on experiential, constructivist and transformative learning theories known collectively as ‘ExConTra’. A mixed methods methodology was used where teachers’ responses to three open-ended reflective questions produced qualitative data that were analysed by identifying themes and patterns. The author developed two quantitative instruments: a Concept Mapping Rubric and a Sustainable Development Questionnaire. The former was to probe the cognitive organisation participants had in relation to the concept of sustainable development before and after developing the action research projects. The latter instrument was used to identify participants’ attitudes towards teaching for ESD and their knowledge of classroom pedagogical practices. Statistical data analysis using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences indicates that teachers in their post-tests had developed: better cognitive organisation for the concept of sustainable development; positive attitudes towards teaching for sustainable development and ESD classroom teaching practices. Involvement in the action research projects where teachers were experiencing, reflecting, conceptualising, constructing, acting and transforming within the context of ESD may be responsible for these results where there are promises to help achieve successful implementation to include ESD in science education.


2019 ◽  
pp. 6-11
Author(s):  
Ariana Cano-Corona ◽  
Melina Cano-Corona ◽  
Sadi Flores-Farias ◽  
Federico Jorge Cisneros-Flores

This paper deals with a partial study that is being carried out on teaching strategies that are used in the teaching practice of some institutions of higher education, which work under the competence approach. Likewise, an analysis is made of the basic competences that teachers must possess to work on any subject of the curricular maps established at a higher level under this same approach. Through this study and analysis the reality of teaching practices is exposed once educational reforms focused on the professionalization of teachers have been approved, showing the challenges, advances and areas of opportunity in the short term. Evidencing that although the educational approach by competences is currently being worked on at all levels, from basic education to higher education, there are still many gaps between the links that make up the education system chain


Author(s):  
Chiedza Simbo

Despite the recent enactment of the Zimbabwean Constitution which provides for the right to basic education, complaints, reminiscent of a failed basic education system, have marred the education system in Zimbabwe. Notwithstanding glaring violations of the right to basic education by the government, no person has taken the government to court for failure to comply with its section 75(1)(a) constitutional obligations, and neither has the government conceded any failures or wrongdoings. Two ultimate questions arise: Does the state know what compliance with section 75(1)(a) entails? And do the citizens know the scope and content of their rights as provided for by section 75(1)(a) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe? Whilst it is progressive that the Education Act of Zimbabwe as amended in 2020 has addressed some aspects relating to section 75(1)(a) of the Constitution, it has still not provided an international law compliant scope and content of the right to basic education neither have any clarifications been provided by the courts. Using an international law approach, this article suggests what the scope and content of section 75(1)(a) might be.


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