Building learning communities to support beginning teachers use of technology

This paper reports on the early stages of a three year study that is investigating the impact of a technology-enriched teacher education program on beginning teachers' integration of computers, graphics calculators, and the internet into secondary school mathematics classrooms. Whereas much of the existing research on the role of technology in mathematics learning has been concerned with effects on curriculum content or student learning, less attention has been given to the relationship between technology use and issues of pedagogy, in particular the impact on teachers' professional learning in the context of specific classroom and school environments. Our research applies sociocultural theories of learning to consider how beginning teachers are initiated into a collaborative professional community featuring both web-based and face to face interaction, and how participation in such a community shapes their pedagogical beliefs and practices. The aim of this paper is to analyse processes through which the emerging community was established and sustained during the first year of the study. We examine features of this community in terms of identity formation, shifts in values and beliefs, and interaction patterns revealed in bulletin board discussion between students and lecturers.

AS DIFICULDADES SUPERADAS POR PEQUENOS EMPREENDEDORES NOS SETORES DE PRODUTOS E SERVIÇOS NA REGIÃO OESTE E NORTE DA CAPITAL DE SÃO PAULO

No Brasil, os microempreendimentos representam de 5,6 a 6 milhões de empresas segundo pesquisas do SEBRAE (2010). Cumprem um papel importante para o PIB (Produto Interno Bruto) Nacional. As pesquisas de mortalidade desses negócios mostram que, cerca de 75% não conseguem permanecer no mercado além dos seis meses iniciais. A abertura desses pequenos negócios decorre, em muitos casos, da necessidade oriunda do desemprego. O empreendedor, anteriormente registrado pode usar de sua indenização e do Fundo de Garantia do Tempo de Serviço para iniciar um novo empreendimento. Geralmente, de acordo com as pesquisas, tais negócios não têm um suporte adequado nem constituem um plano de negócios, diferente de outros países como Estados Unidos e Canadá, onde um isso é condição básica para o início de um empreendimento. As pesquisas mostram que o cenário para os microempreendedores é de dificuldades. Por outro lado, contrariando as pesquisas de mortalidade, (SEBRAE, 2010), existem pequenos negócios que sobrevivem ao longo do tempo, passando à margem de toda a oscilação do mercado, tanto interno quanto externo. O presente trabalho analisará seis empresas das regiões norte e oeste de São Paulo, capital, com pequenos negócios que estão estabilizados no mercado. Além disso, mostrará quais as dificuldades transpostas por esses empreendedores para dar longevidade a seu negócio

The Beginning of the End of the Road? Britain and the European Council Meeting, 8-9 December 2011

What will the outcome of last week’s EU summit mean for the future of the UK’s position within the Union? According to Dr. Simon Green, Professor of Politics at Aston University, UK, it could spell disaster for Britain in the single market of the EU. In his essay entitled The Beginning of the End of the Road? Britain and the European Council meeting, 8/9 December 2011, originally published in Aston University’s Aston Centre for Europe blog, Dr. Green explains that Prime Minster David Cameron’s decision to exclude the UK from the EU’s new intergovernmental pact will alienate the UK from the Union more than ever before.

Canadian province-building : the state as educator and entrepreneur in Alberta

This study provides an account and analysis of the development of systems of educational provision In capitalist democracies, especially in connection with the social origin and relative autonony of those systems. Using the case study of Athabasca University, a Canadian distance-education institution in the province of Alberta, the study is a critical work of historical sociology, in which the shifting social role of a system of educational provision during two transitions of a regional political economy is analyzed. Comparative observations are made in reference to other systems of educational provision and organizations, in particular the training department of a large Company based In the same region as the Unversity. The study explores the social origin and relative autonomy of systems of educational provision In relation to educational ideologies, which are themselves associated with social ideologies. Pierre Bourdieu's theoretical construction of "fields of power'' allows for a consideration of power as a relational phenomenon in the study. In other words, power is understood as being exercised in a way that simultaneously takes account of the power of other actors and groups. Fields of power also allow for an analysis of power as it is exercised at various levels of organizations and within society. The study is organized in two phases. First, an account is developed of the historical period in which the Unlversity and the Company were created, but especially the period of establishment for the Unlversity, 1970 - 75. Conclusions are offered concerning the causal associations between the historical antecedents that gave rise to the two organlzations. It is argued that both the University and the Company were established In part to enact the AIberta government's efforts to enhance Its powers within the Canadian federation (a process called province-building), The second phase is concerned with a more recent period of three years, 1993 - 95. By this time, province-building was not as significant a concern for policy-makers, and the organizational responses of the University and the Company reflected this shift. A divergence of practice is observed at the University and the Company, with actors at the Company encouraging the development of collectivist values for employees, while at the University no such overt strategy was followed, The study concludes that a consumerist model of education developed by the University in 1970 - 75 and expanded In 1993 - 95 contributed significantly to the institution's social origin and relative autonomy. The model was used as an Ideology in the earlier period and as a strategy In the later one, serving to forestall the institution's closure during both periods of crisis, though Ieading to ambiguous social outcomes. A consumerist model may on the one hand be progressive in that expanded access to educational opportunities is made possible. On the other hand, the consumerist model will tend increasingly to provide educational services to those social segments that already have access to educational opportunities.

Technical entrepreneurship in the UK:an examination of the relationship between the previous occupational background of the technical entrepreneur and the management of the small technology-based venture

With the growing appreciation of the contribution of small technology-based ventures to a healthy economy, an analysis of the individual who initiates and manages such ventures - the technical entrepreneur - is highly desirable, predominantly because of the influence of such an individual on the management and future strategy of the venture. An examination of recent research has indicated that a study of the previous experience and expertise of the entrepreneur, gained in previous occupations, may be highly relevant in determining the possible success of a new venture. This is particularly true where the specific expertise of the entrepreneur forms the main strategic advantage of the business, as in the case of small technology-based firms. Despite this, there has been very little research which has attempted to examine the relationship between the previous occupational background of the technical entrepreneur, and the management of the small technology-based firm. This thesis will examine this relationship, as well as providing an original contribution to the study of technical entrepreneurship in the UK. Consequently, the exploratory nature of the research prompted an inductive qualitative approach being adopted for the thesis. Through a two stage, multiple-site research approach, an examination was made of technical entrepreneurs heading award-winning technology-based small firms in the UK. The main research questions focused on management within the firm, the novelty and origin of the technology adopted, and the personal characteristics of the entrepreneur under study. The results of this study led to the creation of a specific typology for technical entrepreneurs, based on the individual's role in the development of technology within his previous occupation.

The Beginning of a Partnership in the Process of Studying Mathematics

In this paper we present the beginning of a partnership between the students in the upper classes and those in the beginner classes in 21st Secondary School “Hristo Botev”, Sofia. We examine deeply two of the used types of cooperative activity. The work shows the main steps in the organization of the project. We have included the motives for work both of the teachers and the students. The present work shows the concrete advantages for the different age groups and the reflection on the parents, as well.

Can psychometric testing be used to explain, predict and measure behavioural competences and the funding resource orchestration of the entrepreneur?

Financing is a critical entrepreneurial activity (Shane et al. 2003) and within the study of entrepreneurship, behaviour has been identified as an area requiring further exploration (Bird et al. 2012). Since 2008 supply side conditions for SMEs have been severe and increasingly entrepreneurs have to bundle or ‘orchestrate’ funding from a variety of sources in order to successfully finance the firm (Wright and Stigliani 2013: p.15). This longitudinal study uses psychometric testing to measure the behavioural competences of a panel of sixty entrepreneurs in the Creative Industries sector. Interviews were conducted over a 3 year period to identify finance finding behaviour. The research takes a pragmatic realism perspective to examine process and the different behavioural competences of entrepreneurs. The predictive qualities of this behaviour are explored in a funding context. The research confirmed a strong behavioural characteristic as validated through interviews and psychometric testing, was an orientation towards engagement and working with other organisations. In a funding context, this manifested itself in entrepreneurs using networks, seeking advice and sharing equity to fund growth. These co-operative, collaborative characteristics are different to the classic image of the entrepreneur as a risk-taker or extrovert. Leadership and achievement orientation were amongst the lowest scores. Three distinctive groups were identified and also shown by subsequent analysis to be a positive contribution to how entrepreneurial behavioural competences can be considered. Belonging to one of these three clusters is a strong predictive indicator of entrepreneurial behaviour – in this context, how entrepreneurs access finance. These Clusters were also proven to have different characteristics in relation to funding outcomes. The study seeks to make a contribution through the development of a methodology for entrepreneurs, policy makers and financial institutions to identify competencies in finding finance and overcome problems in information asymmetry.

Az európai vállalkozó karaktere (The characters of the European entrepreneur and the European manager)

Miben különböznek motivációjukat, értékeit, habitusukat tekintve a vállalkozók, illetve a menedzserek a társadalom többi tagjától és egymástól? Egy 29 európai országra kiterjedő reprezentatív lakossági kérdőíves felmérés (European Social Survey) alapján keresik a szerzők a választ e kérdésre. A Schwartz-értéktesztet használják, amelynek segítségével meghatározhatók az általános célok, elvek, amelyek követését egy személy fontosnak tartja az életében. Így felrajzolható a személy karaktere. Hozzájárulásuk az irodalomhoz kettős. Bár készültek európai szinten elemzések a vállalkozók által vallott sajátos értékekről, a Schwartz-teszt átfogóbb, árnyaltabb és megbízhatóbb elemzést tesz lehetővé. Továbbá, az említett elemzések csak az önfoglalkoztatókat vizsgálták, amely kategória magában foglalja ugyan a vállalkozókat, ám tágabb annál. Az alkalmazott menedzserekről pedig tudomásuk szerint egyáltalán nem készült hasonló elemzés. / === / What distinguishes entrepreneurs and managers from the rest of society and from each other in terms of motivation and values? The authors attempt to answer these questions by analysing data from the European Social Survey covering the populations of 29 countries. They use the Schwartz value-test to identify the general goals and principles people choose to follow in their lives. The test enables them to paint the typical personal characters of entrepreneurs and managers. Their contribution to the literature is threefold. First, although the values held by European entrepreneurs have been investigated before, the Schwartz test provides for a more comprehensive and nuanced analysis. Second, prior statistical analyses have focussed on self-employed, which is a much broader category than entrepreneurs. Third, the distinguishing values of employed managers have not been analysed so far in a similar way.

A kutatási és fejlesztési tevékenység lehetőségei és korlátai a kkv szektorban A vezető szerepe az innovációban és az innováció értelmezése a kkv szektorban = Opportunities and constrains in the r&d activities of the SMEs: The role of the entrepreneur in the innovation processes and how it is manifasted in their everyday activities

Jelen tanulmány arra keresi a választ, hogy a vállalkozónak milyen szerepe van az innovációban, és az innovációnak milyen különböző értelmezési lehetőségei fedezhetőek fel kis- és középvállalkozási szektorban. Kiindulási pontja a vállalkozó vezető személye és innovatív magatartása, mellyel folyamatosan keresi a fejlődés új lehetőségeit. A vállalkozó az erőforrások kreatív felhasználása és vállalkozói magatartása révén a vállalkozás motorjának tekinthető. A tanulmány alapját kvalitatív mélyinterjúkon alapuló, 14 interjúból álló kutatás képezi, melyek mélyreható elemzése alátámasztotta, hogy az innovációs hajlandóság erősen összefügg a vállalkozói magatartással, és mindkét tényező szorosan köthető a vállalkozás vezetőjéhez. / === / This paper focuses on the entrepreneur’s role in the innovation process and on the way the entrepreneurs interpret the phenomena of innovation and they perceive their role in this process. The paper begins with the presentation of different entrepreneurial models, focusing especially on entrepreneurial management and its linkages to variable forms of innovation. Based on the deep examination of 14 interviews made with Hungarian entrepreneurs, the paper identifies the entrepreneur’s decisive role in the innovation process, furthermore the article confirms the importance of entrepreneurial and risk-taking behavior in innovative organizations.

Maguk urai – a magyar vállalkozó lelkialkata (A magyarországi kisvállalkozók értékvilágának néhány jellemzője) Their own bosses – The character of the Hungarian entrepreneur (Some aspects of the value system of small entrepreneurs in Hungary)

The study uses the value test developed by Shalom Schwartz to examine the value system of Hungarian entrepreneurs. First, the dataset of the last wave of the European Social Survey is used to define those value orientations which generally distinguish entrepreneurs from the rest of society in Europe. Second, the prevalence of these ‘entrepreneurial values’ in the general populations of various countries, and Hungary in particular, is explored. Third, using compatible data from a survey of 300 Hungarian small entrepreneurs, the value orientations that distinguish them from other European entrepreneurs and Hungarian non-entrepreneurs are examined. Multivariate regression analyses allow us to draw a nuanced value-portrait of the typical Hungarian entrepreneur. The main conclusion is that although Hungarian small entrepreneurs share the ’core values’ of entrepreneurs in Europe, they are less adventurous and less materialist, but held personal freedom and human relations especially dear.

Rainforests at the beginning of the 21st century

Rainforests are situated at low latitude where forests enjoy steady and strong radiation. Biodiversity in rainforests has been very high, for historical and climatic reasons. The number of species is very high and tends to increase with precipitation and decrease with seasonality. Disturbance, soil fertility and forest stature also influence the species richness and high turnover of species contribute to diversity. Field observation and studies revealed that large scale deforestation could alter the regional and global climate significantly. Deforestation alters the surface albedo which leads to climate change. Regional land use contributes to climate change through surface-energy budget, as well as the carbon cycle. Forest fragmentation, logging, overhunting, fire and the expanding agriculture threaten the biodiversity. Rainforest covered area has significantly shrunk in the last decades. It is hard to protect the forests because of the growing demand for agricultural area and forest-derived products. Most measures proved ineffective to slow down the destruction. Hence, more forest will be lost in the future. Conservationists should take into consideration the secondary forests because biodiversity can be high enough and it is worth protecting them.

Vállalkozó hallgatók-Valóban reális jövőkép a vállalkozóvá válás? (Entrepreneurial students – Really realistic vision of becoming an entrepreneur?)

A tanulmány az egyetemi hallgatók, mint a jövő potenciális tudásintenzív vállalkozóinak sajátosságát hivatott vizsgálni, empirikus úton. A kutatás feltáró jellegű, hiszen igen keveset tudni általában az egyetemi hallgatók, és különösen a Szegedi Tudományegyetem egyetemi hallgatóinak vállalatalapítási motivációról, aktivitásáról és az egyetem ezzel kapcsolatos szerepéről. A vizsgálatok két fő cél köré összpontosulnak: a Szegedi Tudományegyetem nappali tagozatos hallgatóinak vállalatalapítási aktivitását feltárni, valamint a vállalatindításhoz szükséges ismereteket feltérképezni. A tanulmány első részében a szerzők a kérdőíves megkérdezés eredményeit ismertetik, mely keretében 840 főt kérdeztek meg a hallgatói vállalkozásalapítási aktivitás feltárása érdekében. Ezt követően húsz, már hallgató korában vállalkozást alapító személlyel történő mélyinterjúk eredményeit mutatják be, különös tekintettel arra, milyen specialitásokkal bírnak azon vállalkozók, akik már hallgatóként belevágtak egy vállalkozás elindításába. _______ Present paper provides an empirical analysis of the characteristics of university students as potential knowledgeintensive entrepreneurs of the future. The authors’ research is explorative since the knowledge of university students and especially of the students of the University of Szeged is scarce with regard to their entrepreneurial motivations, activities and the influence of the university. The authors set two fundamental objectives: first, to explore the entrepreneurial activities of the full-time students of the University of Szeged; and second, to map the knowledge necessary for starting a business. In the first part of the paper they demonstrate the results of an empirical survey based on 840 questionnaires that aimed at the exploration of students’ entrepreneurial activities.