This qualitative study included four female first year teachers who shared a common study abroad experience prior to initial certification. Participants studied abroad in Italy for ten days investigating various educational settings and cultural sites and were involved in a research study to determine perceptions related to cultural and…

In this commentary on Professor Joan Freeman's "A Quality of Giftedness," (Gifted and Talented International" v27 n2 p 13-71 2012), Rhoda Myra Garces-Bacsal applauds Professor Freeman's capacity to translate what is commonly a pedantic and boring academic treatise to a vibrant and timely article that demonstrates how "ivory…

In this article, the author talks about canoeing and shares his experience canoeing with a group of trippers in Canada. He also discusses how he developed an understanding of where canoeing in Canada has come from. He contends that the way individuals canoe sends a deep, unconscious message to the brain, and it defines the canoeing experience for…

A handful of prominent charter school networks that have won praise for their academic performance and unorthodox models are expanding to new parts of the country, in some cases after receiving recruiting pitches from state and local officials determined to bring proven operators into their communities. Until now, organizations such as Aspire…

Recognising assessment as a driver for learning and a key part of the student learning experience, this case study considers the impact of opening the assessment process to active student engagement as well as placing inclusivity at the heart of the assessment task at point-of-design. This case study presents an approach to assessment that both…

Learning about "nature" has particular significance for education because the idea of nature is an important source of inspiring meaning-rich experience and creation. In order to have meaningful experiences in learning and living, this paper argues for a personal subject-related lifeworld approach to the learning of "nature".…

Much research supports the benefits that quality professional development plays in impacting teacher quality. Experiences in professional development can affect a teacher's growth, the application of varied instructional techniques, and increase student learning. When professional development is well-planned, it can provide purpose, collaboration,…

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to argue that evaluations of enterprise education need to develop beyond the economist viewpoint of business start-up and business growth and promote the notion that evaluations of enterprise education should encompass prime pedagogical objectives of enterprise education, enabling students to grow and develop…

A number of different models have been developed to integrate both Vocational Education and Training (VET) and university study with a view to producing work-ready graduates. This paper describes one joint initiative which allows students to integrate their theoretical study and work-integrated learning (WIL) experience by supporting a sequential,…

Education in the twenty-first century is characterized by narratives of global connectivity. Opportunities offered by digital technologies, connectivity through mobile platforms, and social media, reinforced by changing expectations of students and parents, have put pressure on universities to reimagine global learning and flexible delivery…

Online-supported teaching and learning is a technological innovation in education that integrates face-to-face teaching in plenary lectures, with an online component using a learning management system. This extends opportunities to students to interact with one another via online chats in the process of transacting their learning. There is a need…

Because of the current emphasis on accountability at the elementary, secondary, and postsecondary levels across all content areas, accreditation agencies, administrators, program designers, course developers, faculty, and students have increasingly focused on stating and measuring student learning outcomes and documenting the relationship between…

Chinese students are the largest international student cohort in the higher education institutions of English-speaking developed countries. The paper explores strategies to enhance the Chinese students' learning efficacy in overseas institutions. This research differs from other research focusing on international students already in…

We present an analysis of students' reflective writing (diaries) of two cohorts of Grade 8 students, one undergoing inquiry and the other traditional science teaching. Students' writing included a summary of what students had learned in class on that day and their opinions and feelings about the class. The entries were analysed qualitatively and…

Culturally specific language practices related to vernacular uses of taboo language such as swearing represent a socially communicative minefield for learners of English. The role of classroom learning experiences to prepare learners for negotiation of taboo language use in social interactions is correspondingly complicated and ignored in much of…