For Canada to compete effectively in the digital world, beginning teachers need to play an important role in integrating computer technology into the curriculum. Equipment and connectivity do not guarantee successful or productive use of computers in the classroom, but the combination of the teaching style and technology use has the potential to change education. In this research, the computer self-efficacy beliefs of 210 preservice teachers after their first practice teaching placements were examined. First, the quantitative component of the study involved the use of Computer User Self-Efficacy (CUSE) scale where students’ previous undergraduate degree, licensure area, experience and familiarity with software packages were found to have statistically significant effects on computer self-efficacy. Second, the qualitative data indicated that society and school were the most positive factors that influenced preservice teachers’ attitudes towards computers, while the family had the highest percentage of negative influence. Findings reveal that although preservice teachers had completed only two months of the program, those with higher CUSE scores were more ready to integrate computers into their lessons than those with lower scores. Résumé: Pour que le Canada puisse entrer en compétition dans le monde numérique, les nouveaux enseignants devront jouer un rôle important d’intégration des technologies informatiques dans le curriculum. Les équipements et la connectivité ne garantissent pas une utilisation gagnante ou productive de l’ordinateur en salle de classe, mais la combinaison de styles d’enseignement et d’usages de la technologie a le potentiel de changer l’éducation. Dans cette étude, les croyances d’auto-efficacité à l’ordinateur de 210 futurs enseignants après leur première affectation ont été examinées. Premièrement, la partie quantitative de l’étude impliquait l’utilisation de l’échelle du Computer User Self-efficacy (CUSE) qui a montré un effet statistiquement significatif des études de premier cycle des étudiants, du domaine dans lequel ils sont certifiés pour pratiquer, de l’expérience et de la familiarité avec des logiciels sur l’auto-efficacité avec les ordinateurs. Deuxièmement, les données qualitatives indiquent que la société et l’école sont les facteurs les plus positifs qui influencent l’attitude des futurs enseignants par rapport aux ordinateurs, alors que la famille a l’influence négative la plus forte. Les résultats ont montré que malgré le fait que les futurs enseignants n’avaient complété que deux mois de leur programme, ceux qui présentaient un score CUSE élevé étaient plus enclins à intégrer les ordinateurs dans leurs leçons que ceux qui avaient obtenu un score plus faible.
This study empirically assessed the relationship between school size and academic achievement of elementary school students in Ontario, Canada. Utilizing data from the Ontario provincial standardized test, the Educational Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO), the results of 541 schools from ten school boards, were studied. A One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) indicated that overall, there was no statistically significant correlation between school size and student achievement. However, there were significant correlations with respect to levels of performance in both Grades three and six in some curricular areas. Also, further analysis at each independent achievement level revealed that the mean percentage of students achieving at stipulated provincial standards in Grade three writing and in Grade six reading, writing and mathematics were highest in large-sized schools (schools with more than 420 students). Results further indicated that the mean percentage of students performing above provincial standards in Grade six reading and writing was also highest in large schools. Students in medium-sized schools (between 246 and 420 students) also had the highest mean percentage of students performing above provincial standards in Grade three writing and in Grade six mathematics. The limitations and implications of the results are discussed, and relevant suggestions made.
In this study, the researchers go beyond the back-and-forth debates on the East-West educational paradigms that often arise from comparative studies, and take a reciprocal learning approach to explore in-depth the commonalities and differences in mathematics education between two Canadian and Chinese elementary schools. Research data were collected through direct and indirect interactions between the pair of research schools, including Skype meetings; formal and informal conversations with teachers and administrators; and the sharing/exchange of documents, texts, teaching materials, and resources. Results show that there is a common emphasis on some thematic issues in the teaching and learning of mathematics including the use of manipulatives, multiple solutions to mathematical problems, and parental involvement, but also some differences between the two schools in teachers’ strategies for teaching problem solving, students’ learning tendencies and schools’ supports for Special Needs students. The researchers conclude that the dichotomies of the East-West educational paradigms need to be further, and more deeply re-examined.
In all societies and civilizations, schools are set up primarily to offer and promote socially valued knowledge, experiences, skills, and attitudes geared toward the sustenance and further enrichment of societal norms and goals. Since schools are charged with this weighty responsibility, harnessed and purposeful school development is essential for the achievement of cherished societal goals. Several intertwining factors such as culture, equity, diversity and multiculturalism, etc., contribute to meaningful school development in every society. In the order of hierarchical importance amongst these factors, culture ranks topmost in the list because it (culture) plays a deep and pervasive role in school learning, and by extension, in societal development and harmony. But what is culture? Hollins (1996, p. 18) succinctly defines culture as “the body of learned beliefs, traditions, and guides for behaviour that are shared among members of any human society”. In the realm of mathematics education, the learner’s culture has been identified as one of the factors that strongly influence and shape learning and performance. In pursuit of one of the set goals (cultural perspectives) of the Mathematics Research Team of the Canada-China Reciprocal Learning Project, this paper delves into the interactions of culture, the environment, and development/implementation of the mathematics curriculum in the East-West learning environments.
This paper examines the status of technology education in developing countries generally, and Sri Lanka in particular. A review of current literature reveals that science and technology are critically important for every country's socio-economic development. The conceptual framework and major features of technology education that should be emphasised in developing countries are discussed. The paper also highlights some severe barriers and limitations that inhibit technology education in developing countries. It is concluded that the Sri Lankan economy requires an effective implementation of appropriate technology education, and that this implementation must begin with scientific and technological literacy at the school level. This holds true for other developing countries currently battling the myriad problems arising from technological deprivation and backwardness. The paper contends that technological education could play the role of enhancing the right kind of technological development and advancement that could over time transform the economic fortunes of, and living conditions in developing countries. Cet article examine la situation de l'enseignement de la technologie dans les pays en voie de développement en général et en Sri Lanka en particulier. Un compte-rendu de la littérature contemporaine révèle que les sciences et la technologie ont une importance indispensable pour le développement socio-économique de tout pays. On y discute le cadre conceptuel et les principales caractéristiques de l'enseignement de la technologie sur lesquels devront insister les pays en voie de développement. L'article met également en relief les barrières et les limitations qui entrave l'enseignement de la technologie dans ces pays. De là, l'article conclut que l'économie du Sri Lanka exige l'exécution efficace d'une formation technologique appropriée et que cet exécution devra commencer par une connaissance scientifique et technologique au niveau scolaire. Cela est aussi vrai pour les autres pays en voie de développement qui sont en train de lutter contre une myriade de problèmes qui proviennent de la privation et du retard technologiques. L'article soutient que la formation technologique pourrait jouer le rôle d'améliorer la forme correcte du développement et du progrès technologiques, qui pourrait dans un certain temps, transformer les fortunes économiques et les conditions de vie dans ces pays en voie de développement.
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