Education and self-regulation of learning for gifted pupils: Systemic design and development.

Gifted pupils differ from their age-mates with respect to development potential, actual competencies, self-regulatory capabilities, and learning styles in one or more domains of competence. The question is how to design and develop education that fits and further supports such characteristics and competencies of gifted pupils. Analysis of various types of educational interventions for gifted pupils reflects positive cognitive or intellectual effects and differentiated social comparison or group-related effects on these pupils. Systemic preventive combination of such interventions could make these more effective and sustainable. The systemic design is characterised by three conditional dimensions: differentiation of learning materials and procedures, integration by and use of ICT support, and strategies to improve development and learning. The relationships to diagnostic, instructional, managerial, and systemic learning aspects are expressed in guidelines to develop or transform education. The guidelines imply the facilitation of learning arrangements that provide flexible self-regulation for gifted pupils. A three-year pilot in Dutch nursery and primary school is conducted to develop and implement the design in collaboration with teachers. The results constitute prototypes of structured competence domains and supportive software. These support the screening of entry characteristics of all four-year old pupils and assignment of adequate play and learning processes and activities throughout the school career. Gifted and other pupils are supported to work at their actual achievement or competency levels since their start in nursery school, in self-regulated learning arrangements either in or out of class. Each pupil can choose other pupils to collaborate with in small groups, at self-chosen tasks or activities, while being coached by the teacher. Formative evaluation of the school development process shows that the systemic prevention guidelines seem to improve learning and social progress of gifted pupils, including their self-regulation. Further development and implementation steps are discussed.

Teaching drawing: an interdisciplinary pedagogical experience in a graphic design course

Various authors have written about the importance of drawing in design methodology. Their general conclusion points drawing as an essential tool for design research, as it allows investigation of several alternative solutions in design process (Cross, 2007). The recent profound changes in design nature (Norman, 2011), justify a discussion on the purpose of drawing in design courses. As a consequence of this new reality, the educational institutions face the challenge of the definition of their curricular structures and teaching methodologies. Among others, concepts such as collaboration and multidisciplinary design approaches have been discussed as strategies for design education (Heller and Talarico, 2011, pp. 82-85). In this context, and using our teaching activity experience in Drawing and Design areas, the authors discuss:  how can drawing methods be included in the current design teaching?  can drawing be considered as an interdisciplinary approach?  what contributions can these methodologies provide to the educational/learning process? Based on these concerns, we developed an interdisciplinary project in the Graphic Design Course with two curricular units: Drawing 1 and Aesthetic and Design Theory 1. In this article the authors present the aims and process developed, and discuss the outcomes of this pedagogical experience.

Learning Activities with Semantic. Hypermedia in Higher Education

The increasing use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in diverse professional and personal contexts calls for new knowledge, and a set of abilities, competences and attitudes, for an active and participative citizenship. In this context it is acknowledged that universities have an important role innovating in the educational use of digital media to promote an inclusive digital literacy. The educational potential of digital technologies and resources has been recognized by both researchers and practitioners. Multiple pedagogical models and research approaches have already contributed to put in evidence the importance of adapting instructional and learning practices and processes to concrete contexts and educational goals. Still, academic and scientific communities believe further investments in ICT research is needed in higher education. This study focuses on educational models that may contribute to support digital technology uses, where these can have cognitive and educational relevance when compared to analogical technologies. A teaching and learning model, centered in the active role of the students in the exploration, production, presentation and discussion of interactive multimedia materials, was developed and applied using the internet and exploring emergent semantic hypermedia formats. The research approach focused on the definition of design principles for developing class activities that were applied in three different iterations in undergraduate courses from two institutions, namely the University of Texas at Austin, USA and the University of Lisbon, Portugal. The analysis of this study made possible to evaluate the potential and efficacy of the model proposed and the authoring tool chosen in the support of metacognitive skills and attitudes related to information structuring and management, storytelling and communication, using computers and the internet.

"Ignorance was bliss, now I'm ignorant and that is far more difficult":transdisciplinary learning and reflexivity in responsible management education

Purpose – The collapse of world economic systems brought the interconnectedness between business and global events sharply into focus. As Starkey points out: “leading business schools need to overcome their fascination with a particular form of finance and economics […] to broaden their intellectual horizons […] (and to) look at the lessons of history and other disciplines”. The purpose of this paper is to provide evidence from three years of research on the Aston MBA suggesting that an emphasis on developing capabilities within a far broader, connected and reflexive business curriculum is what business students and practitioners now recognise as an essential way forward for responsible management education. Design/methodology/approach – This research paper examines the reflective accounts of 300 MBA students undertaking a transdisciplinary Business Ethics, Responsibility and Sustainability core module. Findings – As Klein argues, transdisciplinarity is simultaneously an attitude and a form of action. The student reflections provide powerful discourses of individual learning and report a range of outcomes from finding “the vocabulary or the confidence” to raise issues to acting as “change agents” in the workplace. Originality/value – As responsibility and sustainability requires learners, researchers and educators to engage with real world complexity, uncertainty and risk, conventional disciplinary study, especially within business, often proves inadequate and partial. This paper demonstrates that creative and exploratory frames need to be developed to facilitate the development of more connected knowledge – informed by multiple stakeholders, able to contribute heterogeneous skills, perspectives and expertise.

Design Without Borders: A Multi-Everything Masters

Design is increasingly a global activity: addressing issues that challenge and affect people and populations other than our own, involving stakeholders from many cultures, realized through borderless networks of knowledge, services, materials, manufacturing and distribution. There is an appetite among graduates, especially in design and engineering, to broaden horizons and raise ambitions, to tackle big issues through innovation to bring about life-changing or world-changing impact. Employers demand such thinkers and doers: culturally attuned, multidisciplinary and T-shaped, unafraid to shake things up. In 2013, twelve postgraduates embarked on a new joint Masters course in London; students from eight different nations, studying together in three capital cities over two years. This programme is a collaboration between four centres of academic excellence in UK, USA and Japan; these students soon become its first graduating cohort, having experienced differing teaching styles, perspectives and specialisms around design, technology and innovation from four world-class institutions; immersion in three very different cultures; collaboration with students and faculty from many diverse disciplines and cultures; forming friendships and networks spanning the globe. This paper outlines the rationale and philosophy of the course, the challenges in its realisation and development so far, and its likely future evolution.

Interação entre a Escola Básica e a Pós-graduação: uma rede de Pequenos Grupos de Pesquisa (PGP)

Given the objective of the Educational Observatory Program of putting in conjunction the efforts of graduation and basic school in order to improve the quality of the latter, are sought possibilities offered by such an arrangement for teacher education. The assumed action research methodology is designed as a collective rethinking about the social practice in which participants were immersed. It is identified strong correlation among the school/graduation interaction and the nature of the underlying teacher education design. The constitution of research questions accomplished inside the school and the centrality of Small Research Groups in a broad network of interactions were determinants.

Tareas matemáticas en la formación de maestros: caracterizando perspectivas

El diseño de tareas en los programas de formación de maestros se vincula al desarrollo del conocimiento necesario para realizar diferentes tareas profesionales- organizar el contenido matemático, interpretar el aprendizaje, gestionar la enseñanza. Se ejemplifica esta perspectiva en el caso del diseño de tareas matemáticas considerando la tarea profesional del maestro de analizar libros de texto.

Images of pharmacy as a career: a survey among groups of year 12 students at school

To explore the images and perceptions of pharmacy with potential applicants to undergraduate pharmacy education. There is currently considerable interest in the UK in studying aspects of the pharmacy profession because of the changing pharmacy agenda and the need to understand the workforce and its motivations. Aim: To explore the images and perceptions of pharmacy with potential applicants to undergraduate pharmacy education. Design: Four interactive focus groups involving 40 volunteer year 12 students (age 17). The focus group theme plan was designed after a review of relevant literature. A novel approach was employed using photographic images of pharmacists and doctors in varied settings. Subjects and setting: The research was carried out in six schools in the West Midlands, UK. Results: The students presented a rather negative image of pharmacy as a boring occupation in a laboratory or the back of a shop. Most had little idea of what pharmacists actually do. Unlike nursing, they were unaware of positive role models in the media. The small number who did have a realistic idea of pharmacy based it on their previous work experience in pharmacy. Conclusions: The focus group technique is useful for exploring hitherto untapped perceptions of the profession. Undertaking research with year 12 students provided some useful insights into the ways in which pharmacy as a profession is perceived. Although no claims to generalisability are made here, the results were fed into the design of quantitative surveys. The somewhat negative image presented suggests that the profession has more work to do in marketing itself to young people as a potential career choice.

Naar verantwoorde zelfregulatie in opvoeding, onderwijs en diagnostiek.

De beoordeling van vorderingen en inzet van (extra) diagnostiek ('indicatiestelling') in het onderwijs kunnen de kans op het ontstaan van problemen bij een kind vergroten. Tijdige herkenning en preventieve ondervanging van de problemen vragen veranderingen in de inhoudelijke, evaluatieve, didactisch-organisatorische en diagnostische systematieken in en rond scholen. Daarom wordt gewerkt aan de opbouw van een inhoudelijk integrerende, pedagogisch-didactische kernstructuur (PDKS). Deze helpt de dialoog en samenwerking tussen opvoedeling(en) of leerling(en), opvoeder(s), leerkracht(en) en andere professionals eenduidig in te richten en te optimaliseren. Didactisch-organisatorische steun wordt verleend door passende software in de vorm van 'Diagnostische, Instructie en Management Systemen' (DIMS). De beoogde veranderingen worden samen met leerkrachten en schoolleidingen ontwikkeld en proefondervindelijk gerealiseerd in enkele scholen voor primair onderwijs. De schoolontwikkeling biedt de contextuele condities ter realisatie van 'verantwoorde zelfregulatie' van elk kind of elke leerling. Dit wordt toegelicht in verschillende praktijkvoorbeelden. Ook worden volgende ontwikkelingen geschetst.

Relatório da prática de ensino supervisionada realizado no agrupamento de escolas nº e de Évora na escola básica integrada André de Resende e na escola Secundária Gabriel Pereira

O presente relatório elaborado no âmbito da disciplina da Prática de Ensino Supervisionada, do Mestrado em Ensino de Artes Visuais no 3° Ciclo do Ensino Básico e Secundário, é referente à Prática de Ensino Supervisionada no primeiro e segundos semestres do ano lectivo 2009/201O. Prática que se desenvolveu na Escola Básica Integrada André de Resende com a orientadora cooperante Professora Maria João Machado, e na Escola Secundária Gabriel Pereira com a orientadora cooperante professora Luísa Gancho. Ambas as acções foram supervisionadas sob a orientação do Professor Doutor Leonardo Charréu. Para além dos Professores Orientadores, o presente núcleo n°2 constituiu-se pelos mestrandos, Eliezer Correia e Cátia Casquinha. O relatório da disciplina da Prática de Ensino Supervisionada divide-se em duas secções. A primeira secção que resulta da reflexão do que foi executado no primeiro semestre na Escola Básica Integrada André de Resende, e a segunda secção que corresponde ao segundo semestre na Escola Secundária Gabriel Pereira, ambas localizadas na cidade de Évora. ABSTRACT: The present report was realized to cover the activities developed in the curricular unit Supervised Teaching Practice ("Prática de Ensino Supervisionada"), of the Master in Visual Arts Teaching, in the 3rd Cycle of Basic and Secondary Education. lt is relative to the “Prática de Ensino Supervisionada” developed in the two semesters of the academic year 2009/201O held at the "Escola Básica Integrada André de Resende", cooperating with the advisor local teacher Maria João Machado, and at the "Escola Secundária Gabriel Pereira", with the advisor local teacher Luísa Gancho. 8oth actions were supervised under the guidance and scientific supervision of Professor Leonardo Charréu. Beyond these advisor teachers, the group N°2 was formed by the master students, Eliezer Correia and Cátia Casquinha. The report of the discipline of "Prática de Ensino Supervisionada" is divided into two sections. The first section that results from the reflection of the activity executed in the first semester at the "Escola Básica Integrada André de Resende", and the second section correspond to the second semester at the "Escola Secundária Gabriel Pereira”, both located in the city of Évora.