This book reports on the use of behavioural support -- an evidence-based approach developed in the USA to meet students' special educational needs -- in Australia and selected thriving Asian countries. It brings together key issues and insights into how educational policy and practices in different societies and cultures influence the uptake of…

This book critiques dominant discourses and debates pertaining to cultural identity, set against the current backdrop of growing social stratification and unequal access to quality education. It addresses current discourses concerning globalisation, ideologies and the state, as well as approaches to constructing national, ethnic and religious…

While much of the e-learning development at universities in the past 15 years has been on institutionally supported Learning Management Systems (LMSs), alternative educational technologies are being taken up following the rapid growth in emerging technologies, including social networking sites (SNSs). While teachers may choose educational…

"Gender, Masculinities and Lifelong Learning" reflects on current debates and discourses around gender and education, in which some academics, practitioners and policy-makers have referred to a crisis of masculinity. This book explores questions such as: Are men under-represented in education? Are women outstripping men in terms of…

In the drive toward "democratization of education," the twin goals of diversity and uniformity (like equality and excellence) are considered desirable even though they often conflict with one another. This paper reviews the history of curriculum design, including bilingual and cultural pluralism influences and concludes that both…

Media headlines often announce that U.S. students do not shine in international comparisons in mathematics and science, but seldom does any one focus on the specifics of how instruction differs among countries and how U.S. educators can alter their practices to improve student achievement. Examining key findings from the Third International…

Based on interviews with five Islamic respondents, this paper investigates stricter Islamic parents' difficulties with certain assumptions and practices of Australian education, particularly health and physical education. Concerns about modesty and separation of sexes conflict with central aims based on equal educational opportunities and equality…

Background: This study seeks to examine a multidimensional model of student motivation and engagement using within- and between-network construct validation approaches. Aims: The study tests the first- and higher-order factor structure of the motivation and engagement wheel and its corresponding measurement tool, the Motivation and Engagement…

Compares the performance of boys and girls on the 1983 Australian Mathematics Competition, exploring two factors related to the success of boys: (1) although guessing is discouraged, girls omit more questions than boys; and (2) the success of boys is not spread evenly across all questions. (JN)

Examines the musical compositions of Australian children ages seven and nine years to discover the nature of their melodic and rhythmic representations. Finds that older children created more compositions of higher stages of complexity. Reports that girls produced a greater percentage of compositions assigned to the highest stages. (CFR)

Described are the difficulties encountered in a bicultural educational context by Australian Aboriginals. Theoretical perspectives, the social context for mathematics communication, and the use of educational software are discussed. Suggestions for overcoming social difficulties in mathematics are provided. (CW)

Discusses 15 years of experiences and lessons learned teaching in multicultural settings in the United States, Puerto Rico, and 2 foreign nations. Argues that schooling should be based on a diversity model of education. Asserts that it is difference that engages student minds. (CFR)

This document outlines a policy for the art education of and about Aboriginal people. Teachers in art education should have an understanding of Aboriginal education issues, and developers of art programs should consult with Aboriginal people before beginning work on a program and continuously throughout development. Teachers should take into…

This paper is the result of collaboration among early childhood education researchers from different cultures on opposite sides of the globe. The project sought to identify what practitioners in both preschool and primary school settings in Iceland and Australia regarded as successful transition to school practices. Independently developed surveys…

On the Australian Mathematics Competition, boys responded correctly to more questions than did girls, but this difference came largely from a handful of questions. Responses to questions where sex differences occurred are discussed. (MNS)