Gender Segregation in Vocational Education: Introduction

This introductory chapter develops the overall research focus and the aim of the present special issue ‘Gender segregation in vocational education’. Against the backdrop of strong horizontal gender segregation in vocational education and training (VET), we ask how institutional arrangements affect gendered (self-)selection into VET, and to what extent the patterns of the latter vary by context and over time. In order to expand our knowledge about the impact of educational offers and policies on gendered educational pathways and gender segregation in the labour market, we have gathered comparative quantitative studies that analyse the relationship between national variations in the organization of VET and cross-national differences in educational and occupational gender segregation from an institutional perspective. Following a review of the core literature within the field of gender segregation in VET, this introduction presents a discussion of education system classifications and institutional level mechanisms based on the contributions made in this volume. We then discuss gendered educational choices at the individual level, with particular emphasis on variation across the life course. Finally, we conclude our introductory chapter by commenting on the main contributions of the volume as a whole, as well as addressing suggestions for further research.

Multigrade teaching in primary education as a promising pedagogy for teacher education in Austria and Finland

This chapter focuses on teaching practices used in multigrade classes and the importance of them being incorporated in teacher education as promising pedagogies for future use. Multigrade classes - defined as classes in which two or more grades are taught together - are common worldwide. Hence, there is a need for teacher candidates to become familiar with how to teach in split grade classrooms. However, research on multigrade teaching as well as its development in teacher education studies has been neglected, even though multigrade teachers need special skills to organize instruction in their heterogeneous classrooms. We argue that in successful multigrade teaching practices, the heterogeneity of students is taken into account and cultivated. Based on content analysis of teacher interviews conducted in Austrian and Finnish primary schools, we recommend teaching practices such as spiral curricula, working plans, and peer learning as promising teacher education pedagogies for future multigrade class teaching. We also suggest that the professional skills required in high-quality teaching practices in multigrade teaching should be further studied by researchers and educators.

Young medical educators' workshop: Finding the right mentor in Medical Education

Background: Finding the right mentor in medical education is challenging, especially if you are relatively new to the field. However, a mentor that is fit for purpose offers great potential. The workshop will explore strategies and pitfalls for successfully finding the best available mentor. Intended Outcomes: At the end of the workshop participants will be able to: (1) identify practical strategies for successfully finding the right mentor in medical education; (2) give feedback on a proposed idea of a platform for matching mentees and mentors within AMEE; (3) establish an electronic network for continued dialogue and support within the online platform of AMEE (MedEdWorld). Structure: After an introduction to mentorship in medical education and characteristics of effective mentors, participants will have the opportunity to develop their own concepts and questions and discuss them with other participants and facilitators. Senior mentors will give advice from their experience. Furthermore, a proposal of an online platform to help young medical educators find a mentor will be presented and discussed. Who Should Attend: Young medical educators interested in finding the right mentor and in exchanging ideas with colleagues in a similar situation. Level: Introductory