Engaging Youth Voices To Create Supportive School Environments For Healthy Eating And Physical Activity

Background: The Students As LifeStyle Activists (SALSA) Program is an effective Australian peer-led leadership program offered to high schools. SALSA Youth Voices (SYV) is a novel extension of the SALSA program, providing SALSA Peer Leaders with an opportunity to further develop leadership skills, and to design and implement an intervention to promote healthy eating and physical activity within their school. The objectives of this study were to 1) measure the acceptability of the SYV program, 2) determine skills gained by peer leaders from participating in SYV, and 3) determine whether peer leaders successfully implemented a student-designed healthy eating/physical activity intervention. Methods: Schools which participated in the SALSA program in 2019 were invited to a Leadership Day workshop (Term 3) where SALSA Peer Leaders identified and planned an activity to promote healthy eating and/or physical activity at their school, and an Action Day (Term 4) where peer leaders presented their interventions to 100 health and education professionals. Peer leaders completed two brief online surveys at the end of the Leadership Day and upon registration at the Action Day. Results: Eighty-four peer leaders (aged 14–15 years) from seven high schools in western Sydney (mean Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (ICSEA) = 951) participated in SYV. Peer leaders reported their involvement with the SYV program as positive, with 68% rating it as “very valuable”. Skills gained by the peer leaders included teamwork (90%), communication (85%), leadership (77%) and confidence (65%). Peer leaders planned and devised interventions included installing water refill stations, improving school gyms, redesigning girls’ sports shorts, and other strategies to engage girls in physical activity. Most peer leaders reported their intervention was successfully implemented and sustainable in their school. Conclusions: SYV provides a unique leadership opportunity for students from socio-economically disadvantaged areas to be effective agents of change to create opportunities for students to participate in physical activity and improve healthy food options at school.

The Challenges of Inclusive Education in Developing Countries in South East Asia

This conceptual chapter presents an overview of the current developments in special education, specifically in inclusive education, and focuses only on the barriers experienced by the different stakeholders in developing countries in South East Asia. To support inclusion and equity in education, governments need to influence public opinion, implement legislation and policy regulations, and provide financial resources. The three key stakeholders are the government, educational professionals, and families. There are also others including instructors and other education professionals, teacher trainers and researchers, national, local, and school-level administrators and managers, policy-makers and service providers in other sectors, civic groups in the community, and members of minority groups who are at risk of exclusion. Awareness of the value of inclusive education should be raised amongst all stakeholders to develop a network of support for all learners.

Using Gamification Strategies to Cultivate and Measure Professional Educator Dispositions

One of the most important outcomes of pre-service teacher education is the transition from assignment-oriented students to service-oriented education professionals. Faculty can assist in this process by cultivating professional educator dispositions within their courses. Gamification strategies can be an effective way to provide students with timely feedback regarding their progress toward professional educator dispositions. This study investigated the effectiveness of points, timely feedback, and leaderboards on cultivating and measuring specific professional educator dispositions among pre-service teachers. Data was collected in four domains - personal responsibility, intellectual engagement, professional ethics and stewardship, and supportive interactions- where gamification strategies were additively implemented over five semesters. Results from this study indicate gamification strategies, when bundled together to leverage motivating factors such as competition and personalization led to increased gains in the four domains of professional educator dispositions.

ICT and Media competencies of teachers. Convergence towards an integrated MIL-ICT model

This paper describes teachers' perceptions of their ICT and media competencies, and the importance they assign to these competencies in teacher training. A questionnaire was used as a data collection instrument based on UNESCO's proposals on ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) and MIL (Media and Information Literacy). A total of 402 teachers and pre-service teachers took part in the questionnaire. This is an exploratory cross-sectional study where quantitative descriptive and correlational methodology is used. Findings reveal that the self-perceived competence of teachers is low and that the self-perceived level is always lower than the importance given to the corresponding competence. Greater importance is assigned to MIL competencies than to ICT competencies of teachers; this questions the tendency to prioritize technological and didactic training over media education training. It concludes with the need for a paradigm shift towards convergence in teacher training policies for the digital age, and a global model of teacher competencies in media and ICT (COMPROMETIC) is proposed that integrates MIL competencies with those of ICT teachers. The model is based on a double convergence: that of different literacies, and that of the resulting multi-literacy with the specific training of education professionals in ICT and media. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar las percepciones de los docentes sobre sus competencias mediáticas y el uso de las TIC, así como la importancia que asignan a dichas competencias en la formación del profesorado. Se ha elaborado un cuestionario a partir de las propuestas de la UNESCO en TIC (Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicación) y AMI (Alfabetización Mediática e Informacional) que ha sido respondido por 402 docentes y futuros docentes. El diseño del estudio es transversal de alcance exploratorio, que usa metodología cuantitativa de tipo descriptivo y correlacional. Los resultados demuestran que el nivel competencial autopercibido de los docentes es bajo y siempre inferior a la importancia que se otorga a la correspondiente competencia. Los docentes asignan mayor importancia a las competencias AMI que a las competencias en TIC, lo que cuestiona la tendencia de priorizar la formación tecnológica y didáctica sobre la mediática. Se concluye con la necesidad de un cambio de paradigma hacia la convergencia en las políticas de formación del profesorado para la era digital, y se propone un modelo global de competencias del profesorado en medios y TIC (COMPROMETIC) que integra las competencias en AMI con las de los docentes en TIC. Un modelo basado en una doble convergencia: la de diferentes alfabetizaciones, y la de la multialfabetización resultante con la capacitación específica de los profesionales de la educación en TIC y medios.

Age of Majority in Special Education and the Compliance-Driven Denial of Student Dignity and Autonomy

Ethical imperatives, the importance of self-determination, and evidence-based practices in transition direct special education professionals to ensure students with disabilities receive support that prepares them to exercise their rights as they approach adulthood. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) includes mandates that address the process of transferring educational decision-making authority to students as they approach the age of majority. There is evidence, however, that indicates there are challenges with implementing such mandates as the use of surrogate decision-making mechanisms, such as guardianship, continue to be favored over less restrictive alternatives. This chapter outlines information for professionals seeking to support students as they approach the age of majority and encourages the use of strengths-based approaches, rather than approaches that center student deficits and IDEA compliance. This chapter emphasizes the importance of utilizing less restrictive alternatives to guardianship that promote student autonomy and self-determination.

Inclusão de Crianças com Paralisia Cerebral nos Anos Iniciais do Ensino Fundamental / Inclusion of Children with Cerebral Palsy in the Early Years of Elementary School

Resumo: Esse trabalho irá mencionar assuntos bastante relevante, e que faz parte do nosso dia a dia em quando profissional da educação, como também formadores de cidadãos, falar de inclusão não é fácil, e principalmente colocá-la em prática. Mas é de suma importância, pois a educação é um direito de todos, e dever do Estado assegurar esse direito as crianças, jovens e adolescentes. Incluir ou inserir crianças diagnosticadas com Paralisia Cerebral no ambiente educacional é uma tarefa, um pouco complicada, pois requer um olhar diferenciado. Com isso, a escola precisa da ajuda da família nesse processo, como também da contribuição da comunidade em geral, pra trazer essas crianças pra esse ambiente, e assim desperta o conhecimento e as habilidades delas em questão cognitivo, emocional e afetivo, como também, o social. A visão que esse trabalho trará em seus pontos fundamentais e essenciais, na construção do saber e do fazer, uma educação inclusiva e acessiva de todos para todos; cabe os órgãos garantir formações específicas aos profissionais de educação, como os de apoios de sala de aula, sendo que, essas formações têm que abordar temas ligados a realidade do aluno que foram diagnosticados com tal deficiência.Palavras-Chave: Inclusão, Habilidades, Família, Direitos Deficiência Paralisia Cerebral. Abstract: This work will mention very relevant issues, which are part of our daily lives as education professionals, as well as citizen educators, talking about inclusion is not easy, and especially putting it into practice. But it is of paramount importance, as education is a right for all, and the State’s duty to ensure this right for children, young people and adolescents. Including or inserting children diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy in the educational environment is a task, a little complicated, as it requires a different look. With this, the school needs the help of the family in this process, as well as the contribution of the community in general, to bring these children to this environment, and thus awaken their knowledge and skills in cognitive, emotional and affective matters, as well as, the social. The vision that this work will bring in its fundamental and essential points, in the construction of knowledge and action, na inclusive and accessible education from all to all; it is up to the bodies to guarantee specific training for education professionals, such as classroom support, and these trainings have to address issues related to the reality of the student who has been diagnosed with such a disability.Keywords: Inclusion, Skills, Family, Rights Disability Cerebral Palsy.

Processo de Inclusão do Estudante Surdo no Ensino Fundamental na Rede Municipal de Salgueiro / Process of Inclusion of Deaf Students in Elementary Education in the Municipality of Salgueiro

Resumo: A inclusão é uma conquista do movimento das pessoas com deficiência para terem direito de acesso à escola assim como as demais pessoas. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo principal analisar o processo de inclusão do estudante surdo no ensino fundamental na rede municipal de Salgueiro- PE. Assim, buscando entender qual o verdadeiro processo de inclusão do aluno surdo no ensino fundamental no município de Salgueiro- PE? Como isso visou-se identificar a inclusão do estudante Surdo do Ensino Regular, compreender o processo de inclusão a partir da legislação, identificar o processo de inclusão tendo como referência a educação como principal meio de favorecimento a uma convivência humana saudável, pautada no respeito pela diversidade que constitui a sociedade e ainda refletir a luz da importância da Libras/interprete para facilitação da aprendizagem do surdo na sala de aula numa experiência de escola regular na cidade de Salgueiro- PE. A presente pesquisa foi de base qualitativa, sendo parte reflexiva aos diálogos de autores citados no mesmo e de uma pesquisa semiestruturada com a secretaria de educação da rede municipal de Salgueiro- PE. Onde verificou-se que através desses questionamentos existe uma barreira desafiante que precisa ser urgente resolvida no processo de inclusão do aluno surdo nas escolas da rede. Faz-se necessário o reconhecimento da língua de sinais como importante para os alunos surdos, formação continuada e especifica para os profissionais da educação na perspectiva de qualifica-los, entendendo que a formação constitui elemento fundamental para se atingir os objetivos visados pela educação. Palavras chave: Aluno surdo. Educação. Inclusão. Libras. Professor. Abstract: Inclusion is an achievement of the movement of people with disabilities to have the right to access school just like other people. The main objective of this study was to analyze the process of inclusion of deaf students in elementary education in the municipal network of Salgueiro-PE. So, trying to understand what is the real process of inclusion of deaf students in elementary school in the city of Salgueiro-PE? As such, the aim was to identify the inclusion of Deaf students in Regular Education, understand the inclusion process from the legislation, identify the inclusion process with reference to education as the main means of favoring a healthy human coexistence, based on respect for diversity that constitutes society and still reflect the light of the importance of Libras/interpreter to facilitate the learning of the deaf in the classroom in a regular school experience in the city of Salgueiro-PE. The present research was qualitatively based, being a reflexive part of the dialogues of authors mentioned in the same and of a semi-structured research with the education department of the municipal network of Salgueiro-PE. Where it was found that through these questions there is a challenging barrier that needs to be urgently resolved in the process of inclusion of deaf students in schools in the network. It is necessary to recognize sign language as important for deaf students, continuing and specific training for education professionals with a view to qualifying them, understanding that training is a fundamental element to achieve the goals pursued by education. Keywords: Deaf student. Education. Inclusion. LIBRAS. Teacher.

Approximations and possibilities about Struggles content into school environment: an integrative review

School Physical Education works with a range of contents that aim to contemplate Movement Corporal Culture, among these are Struggles. Using literature in order to understand how research deals with this topic is essential for understanding its strengths and limitations. Following the integrative review method, this study’s purpose was to identify possible contributions of Struggles over integral human formation of students, into Educational Sports context. A preliminary literature search identified 192 articles published between 2015 and 2020. Studies were evaluated within three categories: Struggles into school environment, teacher formation and Educational Sport aspects. Review resulted to 6 articles according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Despite limitations around studies on area, results indicate Struggles content is recognized both in educational legislation and by researchers of this field; Physical education professionals have various difficulties for applying Struggles in their classes, mainly alleging problems in their teacher formation; and Educational Sports aspects appear in a non-convincing way, without empirical deepening, nor research applied to this specific theme. It is concluded that Struggles use is possible at school, but it requires confrontations, and Struggles contextualization inside Educational Sport principles is still vaguely explored, making it a field of possibilities for future researches.

Prevenire i comportamenti antisociali e la radicalizzazione dei giovani attraverso Internet. L’esperienza del Progetto europeo “DIVE IN”

The paper reflects on the importance of preventing antisocial behavior and radicalization in young people, understanding the signs of extremism and how to interpret them in an attempt to determine how to counter these phenomena spread through the Internet and social media. In this perspective, as recommended in some documents issued by the European Institutions, we highlight the need to strengthen the specific skills of education professionals needed to be able to detect potentially dangerous behavior in young people and prevent and combat radicalization. In this context, the European project “DIVE IN – Preventing violent radicalisation among young individuals in Europe by innovative training approaches” 2019-2021, is presented, aimed at the prevention of violent radicalisation in young people through the implementation of a blended learning training course addressed to teachers, educators, social workers.