Windows on practice : investigating equity in technology based mathematics classrooms

The strengths and weaknesses of using ethnographic research to investigate equity in a study of a grade 9 class that used a dynamic geometry program with laptop computers will be presented. It will be argued that research approaches that involve “windows on practice” provide understanding of not only who is advantaged and disadvantaged in technology-mediated classrooms but how this occurs. The way that other paradigms such as reflexive methods may enhance qualitative research will be proposed. Studies that involve “windows on equitable practice” will provide mathematics educators with models for advancing equity in mathematics learning when teaching with technology.

Equity and technology : a case study

I am researching equitable and socially just teaching practices when using technology for the mathematical learning of disadvantaged and marginalised students in junior secondary school. Using data gathered from teacher interviews and a meeting of teachers, I present a case study of one teachers’ practice. The case suggests that there are some equity considerations for the use of an integrated project approach to teaching mathematics and that whole class problem solving with technology can provide access to mathematical ideas when students have limited access or skills with technology.

Technology for mathematics education : equity, access and agency

In this chapter, issues of equity – including gender, access, and agency – with respect to the learning of mathematics with technology are examined. Research findings are not equivocal. Compared to late developing countries, where issues of access to technology can be complicated by educational and cultural values and beliefs, there seems to be greater access to technology to be used for the learning of mathematics in developed nations. There also appears to be some disparity in findings on the relationship between technology use and gender differences in mathematics achievement; in some countries the gender gap favoring males may be closing, while in other countries, where there have been little or no gender differences in the past, the gap may be widening. Areas in which more research is needed have been identified.

NSW health and equity statement - In all fairness - increasing equity in health across NSW

In All Fairness is a point of reference for the NSW Health system to gauge current strategic directions, policies and programs in terms of reducing health inequalities.

Designing a health system for equity

The key discussions about the relationship between health and equity have understandably concerned the causal relationship between various social, economic, cultural and environmental determinants of health and the health status of populations by socioeconomic status, class or other divisions that may be used to illustrate health inequalities. (Acheson (1998); "Bringing Britain together" (1998); Kawachi et al (1997); Canada (1997); Dixon (1999); Marmot (1998); Wilkinson (1996); RACP (1999); WHO (1998), Cochrane/Campbell (2000))

Similarly, there has been key discussion about the nature of organizations and their ability to affect and/or respond to change. We know quite a deal about organizations and their structures. And we now have (as we be shown below) an understanding from both practice and theory of the changes needed for organizations to evolve successfully.

General practice : contribution to health and equity

The evidence that a primary health approach enhances health outcomes, increases system effectiveness and is cost effective gives a new impetus for general practice within the continuum of health services. At the same time, in Australia the establishment of the Divisions of General Practice and their continued support has led to a new found confidence in general practice.

Best practice for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease through an equity lens : a review

Background Despite declining rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in developed countries, lower socioeconomic groups continue to experience a greater burden of the disease. There are now many evidence-based treatments and prevention strategies for the management of CVD and it is essential that their impact on the more disadvantaged group is understood if socioeconomic inequalities in CVD are to be reduced.

Aims To determine whether key interventions for CVD prevention and treatment are effective among lower socioeconomic groups, to describe barriers to their effectiveness and the potential or actual impact of these interventions on the socioeconomic gradient in CVD.

Methods Interventions were selected from four stages of the CVD continuum. These included smoking reduction strategies, absolute risk assessment, cardiac rehabilitation, secondary prevention medications, and heart failure self-management programmes. Electronic searches were conducted using terms for each intervention combined with terms for socioeconomic status (SES).

Results Only limited evidence was found for the effectiveness of the selected interventions among lower SES groups and there was little exploration of socioeconomic-related barriers to their uptake. Some broad themes and key messages were identified. In the majority of findings examined, it was clear that the underlying material, social and environmental factors associated with disadvantage are a significant barrier to the effectiveness of interventions.

Conclusion Opportunities to reduce socioeconomic inequalities occur at all stages of the CVD continuum. Despite this, current treatment and prevention strategies may be contributing to the widening socioeconomic-CVD gradient. Further research into the impact of best-practice interventions for CVD upon lower SES groups is required.