International multi-perspective analyses of classroom activity

This editorial captures the essence of each of the papers in this journal and synthesises the findings to highlight the complexity of developing practices that enable students to develop mathematical understandings. Papers described and discussed come from sources internal and external to Australasia. They include new perspectives on analysis of classroom practices, analyses of mathematical registers and mathematical language in classroom activity, action research of a teacher developing new pedagogical understandings, and various analyses associated with teacher education (pre-service teacher programs, interactions between pre-service teachers and their mentors, and how limited content knowledge can affect teacher interpretation of classroom activity. The editorial captures many of the complexities highlighted in the papers and points to the enormity of the expertise required to optimise the teaching of mathematics..

International comparisons of mathematics classrooms and curricula: the validity-comparability compromise

The pursuit of commensurability in international comparative research by imposing general classificatory frameworks can misrepresent valued performances, school knowledge and classroom practice as these are actually conceived by each community and sacrifice validity in the interest of comparability. The “validity-comparability compromise” is proposed as a theoretical concern with significant implications for international cross-cultural research. We draw on current international research to illustrate a variety of aspects of the issue and its consequences for the manner in which international research is conducted and its results interpreted. The effects extend to data generation and analysis and constitute essential contingencies on the interpretation and application of international comparative research.

The Vulture Club: international newsgathering via Facebook

Facebook is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2014. Like its social media cousin, Twitter, Facebook has transformed how journalists gather and disseminate international news. On Facebook, freelance journalists work together in open and closed communities to share information about news production in the latest crisis news datelines. One such community is the Vulture Club. This 'secret' site is being used to garner resources that previously were available only to mainstream staff correspondents. The majority of the posts on this site seek advice on good fixers, visas, safety gear, hotels and contacts. This article uses content analysis to examine posts on the VC site. It concentrates in particular on requests by freelance journalists for help with finding fixers in different countries. The study compares this model to a previous research study on staff correspondents and fixers. The findings are theorised by employing the work of Pierre Bourdieu on the acquisition of social and cultural capital.