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The purpose of the research reported here was to determine the impact learning the engineering design process (EDP) would have on the critical thinking skills of high school physics students. An EDP unit was conducted with 5 classes of high school physics students in grades 10-12 over 1 month. The EDP unit's curriculum allowed for the gradual release of responsibility as students became more familiar with the EDP and more consistent in using it. The six steps used in this EDP unit were Ask, Imagine, Plan, Create, Test, and Improve. The Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal was given as a pre- and post-test to measure the growth in critical thinking skills. By measured standards, qualitative analysis and observation, students showed an increase in critical thinking skills and in confidence to use them.

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This report presents the first intellectual output (IO1) of the Open School Doors project. IO1 has been jointly produced by the whole project consortium. It summarizes the national policies and initiatives among the partnership concerning the parental engagement / involvement of migrant / refugee parents toward school life. To this end literature resources have been collected and then analysed, with the following aims: a) Profile the target group per country, i.e. outline what is the main audience, its specific cultural characteristics (if any), what has to be taken into consideration for the design of a Training Framework that will match both their learning and cultural needs, etc. b) Elaborate on certain cases of successful parental engagement / involvement, i.e. mainly EU, nationally or locally funded projects. The rationale behind the intensive search of such cases was to identify practices that really work but not to ‘reinvent the wheel’, and have a valid starting point for Open Schools Doors (OSD) Training Framework ‐ no doubt that the amplitude and variety of such programs are good indicators of each country policy and posture towards social inclusion and provision of equal opportunities to education. c) Identify the gaps in the current situation among the participant countries and design a Training Framework that will actively facilitate parents’ engagement / involvement to school life in a tangible and long‐term manner. Methodically authors started with desk research and apart from that empirical data was collected from focus groups which were organized with the view to validating what was theoretically concluded from literature resources by asking the main target audience of the project about the Training Framework specifications and features. To this end the last section summarizes findings of both theoretical research and focus groups, providing thus an overview of what is needed and on which directions OSD didactic approach should focus.:Abstract 6 Introduction and scope 7 1 Conceptualising Home School Interaction 9 1.1 Models of Parental Engagement 9 1.2 ‘Hard to reach’ parents or Hard to Reach Schools? 11 1.2.1 Intersectionality 13 1.2.2 Social Class and home ‐ school interaction 13 1.2.3 Ethnicity and home ‐ school interaction 15 1.2.4 Colonialism / Post‐colonialism 16 1.3 Home school interaction and technology 17 1.4 Infusing home ‐ school interaction with Literacies 20 1.4.1 Home ‐ school interaction as literacy work 20 1.5 Refugee Adults and Digital Literacy 22 1.6 Looking forward: Third Spaces and Multi‐Directional Parental Engagement 24 1.6.1 Multi‐directionality 25 1.6.2 Family Learning 26 1.6.3 Family learning and ‘Digital success stories’ ‐ ideas for future engagement? 27 2 The European dimension 29 2.1 European policies on parental involvement 29 2.2 Facts and figures 30 2.3 European and international experiences: interesting cases of parental involvement projects / practices beyond the consortium partner countries 33 2.3.1 Empowerment of Roma: An interesting practice followed in Croatia 33 2.3.2 Toddler: Towards Opportunities for Disadvantaged and Diverse Learners on Early Childhood‐Road ‐ an EU project 34 2.3.3 ASPIRA Parents for Educational Excellence Program (APEX): An ongoing parental involvement project 37 2.3.4 Involve Parents – Improve School – COMENIUS Multilateral Project 38 2.3.5 Language courses for people of a migrant background: An interesting practice from Sweden 41 2.3.6 More chances with parents: An interesting practice from the Netherlands 42 3 National Experiences 46 3.1 Austria 46 3.1.1 National initiatives, projects and articles in the area of parental engagement/involvement of migrant/ refugee parents 48 3.1.2 Recent initiatives and programmes to further language development 49 3.1.3 Political support for initiatives to engage immigrant parents 50 3.1.4 Lessons learnt 52 3.2 Germany 58 3.2.1 Parental involvement among migrants in German education research 58 3.2.2 Projects on parental involvement 59 3.2.3 Research results on (intercultural) parental work 63 3.2.4 Summary 65 3.3 Greece 67 3.3.1 Good practices and research about migrants’ parental engagement 67 3.3.2 Interventions and projects with migrants’ parents in Greece 72 3.3.3 Summarizing Comments 78 3.4 UK 78 3.4.1 Home school interaction and migrant parents 78 3.4.2 Home School Interaction and Roma families 80 3.4.3 Good practice – cultural acknowledgement 82 3.4.4 ‘Good practice at the grassroots’ 84 4 Focus Groups 85 4.1 Organization and scope 85 4.2 Overview about methodical aspects 86 4.3 Trans European focus group 87 4.4 Focus groups in Austria 90 4.5 Focus groups Germany 93 4.5.1 Focus groups Germany 93 4.5.2 Focus Group “German Parental Association” 93 4.5.3 Focus Group “Teacher Training Programme TU Dresden” 95 4.6 Focus groups Greece 99 4.6.1 Organization 99 4.6.2 Analysis and main findings 102 4.7 Focus groups UK 107 4.7.1 Issues and Themes Emerging from Focus Group Discussions 107 5 Conclusions and recommendations for the design of Open Schools Doors training framework 135 5.1 Leadership 135 5.2 Underpinning principles 136 5.3 Priorities for Teacher development: 139 Bibliography 142 Publications recommended for further reading 151 Appendix 152 A.1 Interview Guide 152 A.2 Feedback Template 154 A.3 Attendance List Template 155

The U.S. Marshallese population is one of the fastest growing Pacific Islander populations in the United States. The purpose of this study was to identify how U.S. Marshallese students could be empowered and engaged in their learning through clearly identified indicators that educators could apply within their classrooms and schools. The indicators have been established on a historical, cultural, and linked perceptions of student learning as identified by U.S. Marshallese students and teachers. Pacific Islanders consisted of a variety of populations with varying cultures and ethnic diversity. This study has been conducted using a postpositivism worldview, Marshallese migration is not a limited phenomenon of displacement, but a migratory change that must be embraced by communities and educators. Educators must understand how to empower and engage U.S. Marshallese students in their learning. This study was designed utilizing an interpretative descriptive naturalistic ethnography qualitative research design with middle school students and teachers to gather qualitative data from U.S. Marshallese students that will lead to a contextual understanding of empowering and engaging U.S. Marshallese students in their learning. The findings of this qualitative research study can be applied by educators to empower and engage U.S. Marshallese students in their learning on a daily basis in schools and classrooms. Culture understanding, positive relationship building, and the design of culturally connected intrinsically student motivated learning activities is the foundation and critical component of empowering and engaging U.S. Marshallese students in school and classrooms for improved student learning.

Nel corso dell’Ottocento, in Francia, il principio di formazione, attraverso gli studi classici, delle élite destinate a ricoprire le più alte funzioni professionali assunse una connotazione sempre più anacronistica e il sistema scolastico fu al centro di una serie di accesi dibattiti e tentativi più o meno riusciti di riforma dei metodi di insegnamento e dei contenuti degli studi, che si acuirono soprattutto in seguito alla battaglia di Sedan. Il permanere di una cultura e di un sistema di istruzione immobile e legato alla tradizione umanistica si scontrò violentemente a fine secolo con la democratizzazione della società, il progresso scientifico e lo sviluppo economico e con la corsa alla modernizzazione della cultura. Questo elaborato si propone di ripercorrere i principali aspetti culturali, storici ed economici che scandirono la storia della pedagogia francese, analizzando il lungo ed altalenante percorso di cambiamento delle humanités classiques durante la costituzione dell’istituzione più conservatrice della Francia del XIX secolo: l’enseignement secondaire. / During the nineteenth century in France, the education through classical studies of the elite meant to play the highest professional roles became increasingly anachronistic and the school system was the main target of many debates and reforming processes. These attempts of changing teaching methods and subjects increased even further after the battle of Sedan. At the end of the century, the persistence of a stationary culture and of an educational system linked to the humanistic tradition clashed with the democratisation of the society, the scientific progress and the economic development and also with the rush to modernise this culture. The aim of this research is to trace the main cultural, historical and economic factors that distinguished the history of French education, while analysing the long and various changes of classical humanities during the establishment of French secondary school, which was the more conservative institution of the nineteenth century.

This study focused on the use of Assistive Technology (AT) in enhancing the educational support of all learners in a mainstream school. The theoretical frameworks used in this study were Wellness Theory and Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT). The main aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of Assistive Technology in promoting the educational support of all learners in a mainstream school. This use of AT thus benefiting inclusion and inclusive practices and enhancing learning and support for all students in a mainstream school. The study was embedded in an interpretivist paradigm and used a qualitative research approach. Sampling was purposive and participants were selected based on the researcher’s pre-defined purpose for the study. Ethical approval was sought from the University of South Africa and prior to conducting research consent forms were signed by all participants. Data were collected using questionnaires with open-ended questions, face to face interviews and document analysis. Data analysis was done through thematic coding (noting recurring patterns of information) and the development of major themes based on qualitative data collected. Findings revealed the need for more technology in the research site (such as iPads and laptops), as well as the need for staff training in order to effectively use the technology. Furthermore, having more educational assistants to support students with more complex needs was also highlighted. Findings from face-to-face interviews indicated themes articulating with the above mentioned. This included the need for time to plan for the use of Assistive Technology in the classroom, along with time to familiarize oneself with the various forms of technology available. Training to effectively implement and support the technology was highlighted, as was time to engage with other colleagues and develop a collegial enquiry for the effective use of Assistive Technology to support all learners in the mainstream class. Findings from documents reviewed showed significant focus on the need for diagnosis to be able to select intervention strategies for the classroom and instruction. When staff were aware of a child’s medical, cognitive or mental health diagnosis, appropriate supports could be explored. The school support documents reviewed indicated a clear requirement for updated testing and setting of goals for students, to be supported by the strategies. Recommendations made for the effective use of AT included the promotion of professional development in staff and the establishment of professional learning communities which value the sharing and exchange of information regarding knowledge and skills. Furthermore, a framework is proposed which may be used by schools using assistive technology in supporting learners in mainstream schools so that learning may be enhanced. A further longitudinal study was recommended for the future to determine the impact of the use of AT to support inclusion when relevant staff training is available, applicable and ongoing. / Inclusive Education / D. Ed. (Inclusive Education)

The Framework Education Programme for Preschool Education is a legislative curriculum document which establishes the basic requirements for the state preschool education. The educational objectives and requirements are binding for the teachers. However, the way in which those objectives and requirements are met, is fully in the hands of each nursery school. This diploma thesis illustrates one of the possible ways of educating preschool children, namely the dramatic education. The dramatic education is presented here not only as an educational method but also as a style of pedagogical work. This particular style respects individuality and originality of each child with the intention of developing his/her potentials and with the effort to equip the child with necessary social skills. The practical part of the diploma thesis offers insight into the authentic dramatic and educational process which explores topics of human life. During this process, each child goes through a full-fledged personal and social development by means of dramatic activities, which are based on topics of literary text

This dissertation deals with the issue of reading skills of pre-school aged children, their abilities to understand the text being read out to them and answer the questions related to the text meaningfully, but also to ask individual questions. It addresses a possible usage of some methods of critical thinking for this age group in the field of nursery schools. The dissertation is based on the fact that the role of the pre-school education is irreplaceable in this respect. The theoretical part concentrates on the problems related to answering the questions and asking them, on the development of cognitive processes and speech, growth of self- confidence and self-assurance as an important precondition for a pre-school child's expressing and the creation of a positive pedagogical communication in the class. It offers opportunities to use some methods of the programme called " By Reading and Writing to Critical Thinking " (RWCT) at nursery schools. The practical part of this dissertation introduces a programme based on working with the texts of different genres intended for the pre-school age. In individual lessons it is verified whether the chosen methods from the RWCT programme are suitable and if the questions asked, and the request for asking them, correspond to the abilities of pre-school aged...