Elevers formande av arbetsplatsförlagt lärande i svensk gymnasial lärlingsutbildning

The article examines how students in Swedish upper secondary apprenticeship education contribute to the shaping of their education through their choices and actions in relation to work-based learning. Activity theory and the notion of interacting activity systems was used to emphasise the students’ perspective as active subjects. Data was collected through observations and interviews with 15 students in their second year of an apprenticeship. An initial qualitative content analysis revealed a pattern of actions that related to both school and work. The result of this analysis was further elaborated with activity theoretical concepts. Thereby dominating rules/norms and tools they made use of, contributed to identifying three potential objects for students’ actions: grades in vocational subjects, development of vocational skills, and inclusion in the workplace community. Depending on what objects the students held as superior and subordinate different outcomes could be achieved – an upper secondary vocational degree, development of vocational skills, and/or being employed while studying. One object did not necessarily exclude the others. It is concluded that the multiple expectations from students, school, and workplaces that coexist in relation to work-based learning need to be continuously communicated among all participants to strengthen the students’ possibility to achieve their desired educational outcome.

Family background and classroom belonging among adolescent students in Finland

We study whether a family’s economic situation and parental educational level are associated with classroom belonging among students in comprehensive secondary, upper secondary general and upper secondary vocational education in Finland. We also study whether there are educational-level differences in this possible association. We use survey data from the Finnish School Health Promotion study from 2017 (N = 114,528). We conduct random effect linear probability models with schools as the second-level grouping variable. The results show that family’s low economic situation predicts a higher probability of lack of sense of classroom belonging in Finland, despite the country having one of the world’s most equal educational systems and comparably low economic inequality. Neither mother’s nor father’s educational level has any association. A family’s low economic situation seems to predict the lack of a sense of belonging most strongly in comprehensive secondary education and most weakly in upper secondary vocational education. Our results slightly support the proposed significance of context-specific hierarchies in determining the association between economic resources and sense of belonging. A family having a poor economic situation is not reflected in the sense of classroom belonging as strongly in schools where students have a low average economic situation compared to those where students have a high average economic situation. We suggest measures, in addition to alleviating economic inequalities, to support the sense of school belonging, especially for low-income students.

Learning the Disciplines Through Linguistic Feedback: Contribution to the Development of a Discipline-Specific, Formative Evaluation of Students’ Assignments

Students write to learn. Besides, enculturation to the disciplinary discourse happens during writing. Feedback on the assignments from the students scaffolds students’ writing development and learning paths. However, knowledge about the relationship between language, including argumentation in the discipline, on one hand, and the content of the discipline, on the other, is needed. This article is based on a socio-cultural approach to writing in the disciplines, and theory on feedback, and focuses on the relationship between the meso-level of texts (sentences, clauses, word choice) and the content of the discipline. We discuss how insight into the meso-level of texts may be used to improve and to develop feedback and formative evaluation. Cases from an intervention project in a Danish upper secondary school are included, and indicate that teachers and students assign a lower priority to feedback on the meso-level. This article claims that providing feedback on the meso-level strengthens writing development and students’ learning processes. To illustrate how this may be accomplished two texts are analyzed: one from a history class and one from a biology class.

The positioning of dual qualification studies in Finnish upper secondary education and government policy since the 1980s

This article explores the positioning of dual qualifications (DQs) in the Finnish education policy and the education system since the late 1980s. The analysis is carried out in the context of academic-vocational divide. At the end of the 1980s, Finland questioned the functionality of the strict academic-vocational divide in post-compulsory education, and a unified upper secondary education was initiated. DQ was the result of two contradictory political discourses: the aim to make education system more equal and the 1990s’ market oriented education policy. In the 2000s, although segregation at the upper secondary level was strengthened, the DQ simultaneously became an established study route. However, in 2007 due to changes in political power, the DQ was repositioned on the periphery of education policy and academic-vocational divide became stronger. The main focus as regards the functions of DQs until the end of the 2010s was on efforts to enhance the use of educational resources and improve the possibilities for individual and flexible education choices. The aim of the current government, elected in 2019, is to strengthen cooperation at upper secondary level, which is also expected to include DQs. However, the actualisation might be mitigated by the educational reforms of the previous government.

Knowledge Economy Model for the State of Hidalgo

This article aims to create a knowledge economy model to be applied in the state of Hidalgo, conducting an exhaustive investigation on the formation of a knowledge economy, as well as a comparative analysis between the state of Hidalgo and nine states more than the Mexican Republic with a certain criterion, in relation to the factors that delimit said economy. These factors are a series of variables taken from 2015: literacy, upper secondary and higher education, researchers, Innovation Stimuli Program (PEI), Mixed Fund associated with the state government (FOMIX), telephony, internet, computers, television, patents, industrial designs and utility models. To later use a method created by the World Bank, which is called Knowledge Assessment Methodology (KAM).

Exploratory Considerations in Chemistry Education—Didactic Modelling for Complexity in Students’ Discussions

Research has shown the importance of dealing with real-life issues and of enabling student encounters with complexity in chemistry education in order to increase student participation. Therefore, this study aims to analyse how complexity evolves in students’ discussions and how this complexity relates to aspects of tentativeness in chemistry. In the study, we analyse how a previously developed didactic model can be refined from the students’ considerations evolving from the present context. The study was conducted as an in situ study in one upper-secondary school. Students’ discussions were recorded on video. The recordings were transcribed and analysed using deliberative educational questions. Two different kinds of considerations emerged in the students’ discussions: factual and exploratory considerations. While factual considerations are an important element of chemistry education, students also need to encounter exploratory considerations. The study proposes a didactic model useful for teachers in didactic analysis and design of activities aiming to support students to unfold complexity through exploratory considerations. One implication is to base activities on real-life issues in order to invite the unpredictability needed for experiencing complexity and the exploratory nature of chemistry. These issues enable students to experience aspects of tentativeness in chemistry and thereby increase their understanding of NOS and chemistry as a knowledge building practice. Furthermore, this might also increase student participation in chemistry education.

Pedagogical Competency of Dance Instructors in The Training of Malay Court Dance Skills Among Upper Secondary Students at Johor National Art School

Dance pedagogy is a complex and dynamic field of competency that involves various skills and self-appearance. Therefore, dance instructors must widen the scope of their competency to strengthen and improve their level. This research aimed to identify the competency of dance instructors teaching the practical subject of Malay Court Dance based on factors including the components of pedagogy, curriculum, assessment, and professionalism. The data was collected from interviews with the instructors and was analyzed through thematic analysis. The findings indicated that the instructors’ competency level development could be mapped into three dimensions, namely orientation, agent, and competency content. It was concluded that art schools in Malaysia need to develop dance instructors’ competency in terms of (1) 21st-century learning needs, (2) vertical and horizontal knowledge sharing, (3) workshop, study tour, and competition, and (4) standardization of technological development relevant for curriculum, across knowledge, practical, and feeling domains.

Exploring Strategies to Strengthen Re-Engagement Through Second Chance Education for Early School Leavers

This survey is a qualitative analysis of written interviews of teachers (n= 367) working in Second Chance Schools, an educational institution consisting of structures operating inside and outside detention facilities in Greece. In particular, it examines teachers' proposals for reforms that will increase the socio-economic integration prospects of second-chance learners, who make up a population of former early school leaver and prisoners. This research provides a focused assessment of the inclusive teaching and learning offered by school second education. The results highlight the need for reforms in the structure and operation of second-chance structures that operate inside and outside detention centers, enhancing the training-labor market connection and creating a competitive working profile, and also the need of establishing equivalent to second-chance structures at all levels of education from primary to upper secondary to ensure a seamless educational path to entry into higher and vocational education institutions.

Implementation of the 2012 upper secondary school curriculum in Mexico: a 21st-century framework enquiry

Objective. This study aims to analyze how the new upper secondary school curriculum in Mexico captures 21st-century skills and teachers’ perceptions of success. Method. The design of the study complies a comparison analysis between the Mexican upper secondary school curriculum and a 21st-century skills framework. Additionally, qualitative data on teachers’ perceptions of success is collected through eight focus groups with 72 participants in 4 States of Mexico. Results. The findings show that the curriculum is short in strategies for the development of 21st-century skills. Moreover, although teachers welcome them, they perceive a lack of support and doubt about students’ learning capabilities. Conclusions. Although Mexico has progressed in providing a 21st-century skills learning environment through the new curriculum, the educational system remains with the opportunity to offer a more suitable and adequate framework as well as support and training for teachers.