Adaptive teaching for GCSE and A level classical literature

The new ITT Common Core Framework (CCF) for teachers expects trainee and early-career teachers to adapt their teaching to support all students in class (Department for Education, 2021). What used to be called ‘differentiation’ is now referred to as ‘adaptive teaching’ and full details of what it consists of, as far as the Department for Education in England is concerned, can be found on pages 19–20 of the CCF document. Much of the advice of that document is about supporting students with special educational needs and disabilities, about teachers’ need to recognise that different students have different levels of prior attainment and may have barriers to learning, and how different types of student grouping may affect learning in different ways. It dismisses as a ‘common misconception’ that students have different learning styles and warns against teachers creating ‘distinct tasks for different groups of pupils’ or ‘setting lower expectations for particular pupils’.

Towards an Ideal Framework of Education Support Services for Learners With Special Education Needs at Basic Education Level in Lesotho

This chapter explores a suitable model within which an efficient education support can be developed to promote inclusive education in Lesotho. It highlights the gaps and challenges in the policy framework of the Ministry of Education and Training which have bearing on education support. In 2009 the Ministry developed the Curriculum and Assessment Policy. In order to realize the ideals of the curriculum which include the need for learners to work efficiently, independently, use technology, and communicate efficiently, the Ministry develops work plans that operationalize the ideals. In this regard, the current policy and practice contexts must be evaluated for the extent to which they enhance or impede education support of learners facing barriers to learning and development.

Supporting the Welsh Lifelong Learning System

To assist the Welsh Government in balancing the productivity-related objectives with the societal objectives of lifelong learning, the Wales Centre for Public Policy was asked to conduct an evidence review into lifelong learning. This review aims to inform policy discussions and support the implementation of the Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Bill published on 1st November 2021 which renews the emphasis on lifelong learning in Wales through the establishment of the Commission for Tertiary Education and Research (CTER). The report is structured around key areas of lifelong learning: the context in which it takes place; lifelong learning in visions and strategies; rights and entitlements to lifelong learning; the need to strike the balance between targeting and universal provision; barriers to learning; balancing the economic and social objectives; the roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders and lifelong learning governance structures; effective forms of support for learning institutions; and comparing lifelong learning in Wales with other parts of the UK. The report concludes with a set of consolidated recommendations to the Welsh Government.

Analyzing Learning Obstacle with Didactical Design Research on Three Dimensional Distance Material

he purpose of this study was to analyze the barriers to learning three-dimensional distance material using Didactical Design Research (DDR). The subjects of this study were two groups of class 12. The instruments used in this study were pretest (initial test) and post test (final test) which consisted of a test of the respondent’s ability, interview sheets, and observation notes. The data obtained were analyzed using three DDR steps: (1) didactic situation analysis by recontextualizing, repersonalizing, and developing didactic designs which include PDA (Pedagogical Didactic Anticipation); (2) metapedadidactic analysis by applying PDA; and (3) retrospective analysis linking didactic and metapedadidactic situations. The results showed that the identified learning obstacles can be anticipated by using PDA. The application of the didactic learning design shows that this design can be an alternative to third-dimensional distance learning in grade 12 because it can minimize student learning barriers that have been identified previously.

Prisoners’ Experiences of Foundation Skills – an Intensive Adult Literacy and Numeracy Programme Delivered in New Zealand Prisons

<p>This transcendental phenomenological study addresses a gap in the current literature by exploring prisoners’ experiences of Foundation Skills, an intensive Adult Literacy and Numeracy (ALN) programme delivered in New Zealand prisons. Research with prisoners may help to improve the effectiveness of existing programmes and policies and thus contribute towards rehabilitation aims. In this study, ten male prisoners were interviewed about their experiences of Foundation Skills. The data was analysed using Creswell’s (2007) simplified version of the Stevick-Colaizzi-Keen method outlined by Moustakas (1994) to arrive at a description of the essence of the participants’ experiences. The study found that the essence of the participants’ experiences was an increased interest and enjoyment in learning and education. The men all valued the programme as well as the opportunity to learn collaboratively. The participants’ aspirations for a better life and a better future for themselves and their whānau had a significant influence on their decision to learn and participate in education. Benefits of the programme, as well as factors that support or create barriers to learning were identified. The study outlines the implications of the findings for policy and practice and provides suggestions for future research.</p>

Prisoners’ Experiences of Foundation Skills – an Intensive Adult Literacy and Numeracy Programme Delivered in New Zealand Prisons

<p>This transcendental phenomenological study addresses a gap in the current literature by exploring prisoners’ experiences of Foundation Skills, an intensive Adult Literacy and Numeracy (ALN) programme delivered in New Zealand prisons. Research with prisoners may help to improve the effectiveness of existing programmes and policies and thus contribute towards rehabilitation aims. In this study, ten male prisoners were interviewed about their experiences of Foundation Skills. The data was analysed using Creswell’s (2007) simplified version of the Stevick-Colaizzi-Keen method outlined by Moustakas (1994) to arrive at a description of the essence of the participants’ experiences. The study found that the essence of the participants’ experiences was an increased interest and enjoyment in learning and education. The men all valued the programme as well as the opportunity to learn collaboratively. The participants’ aspirations for a better life and a better future for themselves and their whānau had a significant influence on their decision to learn and participate in education. Benefits of the programme, as well as factors that support or create barriers to learning were identified. The study outlines the implications of the findings for policy and practice and provides suggestions for future research.</p>

Through Thick and Thin: Lower Secondary School Students’ Barriers to Learning under Covid-19 Conditions

At the global level, the Covid-19 pandemic has affected the whole education system, ranging from pre-school to higher education. Without any prior preparation, the teaching process has undergone a massive transition from face-to-face to distance learning. This transition has posed many challenges. This article aims to reveal what barriers to learning lower secondary school students face and how schools can minimise these barriers. A systematic review of the academic literature from two well-known databases, EBSCO and ScienceDirect, was performed to identify and determine the prevailing consistencies and gaps. The empirical study follows a qualitative research design: an explanatory case study. The data were collected through observations of online lessons, interviews with teachers and the school principal, and students’ reflections. In addition, an inductive thematic analysis was employed. The empirical results help to identify secondary school students’ barriers to learning in terms of learning accessibility and technological literacy; planning and reflections on learning; self-regulated learning and active involvement; and emotional and psychological well-being. Furthermore, the study highlights how a school can minimise these barriers.

Parent Perspectives on Educational Needs of Students with Sex Chromosome Aneuploidies

Students with sex chromosome aneuploidies (SCAs) are at increased risk for learning disabilities and often require individualized supports in the school setting. This international survey study used qualitative methods and a bioecological systems framework to inductively capture parent perspectives on the challenges that occur in students with SCAs leading to the need for educational supports, how schools serve children with SCAs, and the types of educational supports that are most helpful. Analysis of parent responses emphasized that challenges with reading, executive function, reduced stamina, social skills deficits, and emotional dysregulation act as barriers to learning, and are frequently triggered by busy or noisy classroom environments led by educators unfamiliar with needs of students with SCAs. Further, skills hovering in the borderline range are common to the SCA phenotype, and are not often well served special education systems challenged by limited resources and strict cut-offs for qualification. Parents report the need to strongly advocate for their child to receive adequate school support services. We recommend developing robust family-school partnerships, increased collaboration between the school and the child’s medical team, and acknowledgement of the significant role the genetic condition plays in the educational experiences of students with SCAs. Specific suggestions for school support plans for students with SCAs are provided.