Responding to Changing Student Demographics in Finland: A Study of Teachers’ Developing Cultural Competence

The aim of this dissertation was to examine the skills and knowledge that pre-service teachers and teachers have and need about working with multilingual and multicultural students from immigrant backgrounds. The specific goals were to identify pre-service teachers’ and practising teachers’ current knowledge and awareness of culturally and linguistically responsive teaching, identify a profile of their strengths and needs, and devise appropriate professional development support and ways to prepare teachers to become equitable culturally responsive practitioners. To investigate these issues, the dissertation reports on six original empirical studies within two groups of teachers: international pre-service teacher education students from over 25 different countries as well as pre-service and practising Finnish teachers. The international pre-service teacher sample consisted of (n = 38, study I; and n = 45, studies II-IV) and the pre-service and practising Finnish teachers sample encompassed (n = 89, study V; and n = 380, study VI). The data used were multi-source including both qualitative (students’ written work from the course including journals, final reflections, pre- and post-definition of key terms, as well as course evaluation and focus group transcripts) and quantitative (multi-item questionnaires with open-ended options), which enhanced the credibility of the findings resulting in the triangulation of data. Cluster analytic procedures, multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), and qualitative analyses mostly Constant Comparative Approach were used to understand pre-service teachers’ and practising teachers’ developing cultural understandings. The results revealed that the mainly white / mainstream teacher candidates in teacher education programmes bring limited background experiences, prior socialisation, and skills about diversity. Taking a multicultural education course where identity development was a focus, positively influenced teacher candidates’ knowledge and attitudes toward diversity. The results revealed approaches and strategies that matter most in preparing teachers for culturally responsive teaching, including but not exclusively, small group activities and discussions, critical reflection, and field immersion. This suggests that there are already some tools to address the need for the support needed to teach successfully a diversity of pupils and provide in-service training for those already practising the teaching profession. The results provide insight into aspects of teachers’ knowledge about both the linguistic and cultural needs of their students, as well as what constitutes a repertoire of approaches and strategies to assure students’ academic success. Teachers’ knowledge of diversity can be categorised into sound awareness, average awareness, and low awareness. Knowledge of diversity was important in teachers’ abilities to use students’ language and culture to enhance acquisition of academic content, work effectively with multilingual learners’ parents/guardians, learn about the cultural backgrounds of multilingual learners, link multilingual learners’ prior knowledge and experience to instruction, and modify classroom instruction for multilingual learners. These findings support the development of a competency based model and can be used to frame the studies of pre-service teachers, as well as the professional development of practising teachers in increasingly diverse contexts. The present set of studies take on new significance in the current context of increasing waves of migration to Europe in general and Finland in particular. They suggest that teacher education programmes can equip teachers with the necessary attitudes, skills, and knowledge to enable them work effectively with students from different ethnic and language backgrounds as they enter the teaching profession. The findings also help to refine the tools and approaches to measuring the competencies of teachers teaching in mainstream classrooms and candidates in preparation.Väitöskirjan tavoitteena oli selvittää niitä taitoja ja tietoja, joita opettajilla ja opettajaksi opiskelevilla tulisi olla heidän työskennellessään monikielisten ja -kulttuuristen maahanmuuttajataustaisten oppilaiden kanssa. Erityisenä tavoitteena oli selvittää opettajaksi opiskelevien ja jo opettajan ammatissa toimivien tämänhetkistä tietoisuutta ja tietoa kulttuurillisesti ja kielellisesti vastuullisesta opetuksesta. Tarkoituksena oli tunnistaa vahvuuksia ja heikkouksia sekä suunnitella tarkoituksenmukaisia täydennyskoulutuksen malleja ja sellaisia tuen muotoja, joiden avulla opettajat voisivat kehittyä oikeudenmukaisiksi ja kulttuurisesti vastuullisiksi ammattilaisiksi. Näitä kysymyksiä tarkasteltiin väitöskirjan kuudessa empiirisessä alkuperäistutkimuksessa, jotka kohdistuivat kahteen eri ryhmään: 25 eri maata edustanee-seen kansainvälisten opettajaopiskelijoiden ryhmään (n = 38 osatutkimuksessa I; n = 45 osatutkimuksissa II–V) sekä suomalaisiin opettajaksi opiskeleviin ja opettajan ammatissa toimiviin (n = 89 osatutkimuksessa V; n = 380 osatutkimuksessa VI). Tutkimusaineisto koostui erityyppisistä lähteistä sisältäen laadullisia aineistoja (opiskelijoiden kirjoitelmat, kuten oppimispäiväkirjat, kurssin loppupohdinnat, keskeisten käsitteiden määrittelyt alku- ja loppumittauksissa, kurssiarvioinnit sekä valikoidun osajoukon keskustelut) sekä määrällisiä aineistoja (monista kysymyksistä koostuneet kyselylomakkeet, joissa oli myös avoimia kysymyksiä). Monimetodinen lähestymistapa ja eri aineistojen vertailu lisäsivät tutkimuksen löydösten luotettavuutta. Opettajaopiskelijoiden ja opettajien kulttuurisen ymmärryksen tutkimiseksi aineistoa analysoitiin klusterianalyysillä ja monimuuttujaisella varianssianalyysillä sekä laadullisilla menetelmillä (esim. Constant Comparative Approach). Tulokset osoittivat, että opettajakoulutuksen pääosin kantasuomalaisella opettaja-opiskelijajoukolla on vain vähän kokemusta, aikaisempaa osallistumistaustaa tai tietotaitoa kulttuurisesta monimuotoisuudesta. Monikulttuurisuutta ja identiteettiä painottavaan opintojaksoon osallistuminen vaikutti positiivisesti koulutukseen osallistuneiden tietämykseen ja asenteisiin, jotka liittyivät kulttuuriseen moninaisuuteen ja erilaisuuteen. Tuloksissa tuodaan esiin sellaisia näkökulmia ja strategioita, joilla on merkitystä valmennettaessa opiskelijoita kulttuurisesti vastuulliseen opettajuuteen. Tällaisia menetelmiä ovat mm. pienryhmäharjoitukset ja -keskustelut, kriittiset pohdinnat ja syvempi tutustuminen opetuskentän tilanteeseen. Näitä menetelmiä ja työkaluja, joiden avulla voidaan vastata kulttuurisesta monimuotoisuudesta kumpuavaan tarpeeseen, olisi siis saatavilla myös jo opettajan ammatissa toimivien käyttöön. Tulokset lisäävät ymmärrystä siitä, millaista tietoa opettajilla on oppilaiden erilasista kielellisistä ja kulttuurisista tarpeista sekä niistä lähestymistavoista ja strategioista, joita oppilaat tarvitsevat menestyäkseen koulussa. Opettajien tietämys kulttuurisesta moninaisuudesta voidaan jakaa kolmeen luokkaan: hyvä tietämys, keskinkertainen tietämys ja heikko tietämys. Tämä tietämys vaikuttaa merkittävästi opettajien valmiuteen hyödyntää oppilaiden kieltä ja kulttuuria akateemisten taitojen rakentamisen apuna sekä siihen, miten he pystyvät työskentelemään tehokkaasti maahanmuuttajataustaisten vanhempien ja huoltajien kanssa. Lisäksi se vaikuttaa opettajien valmiuksiin oppia tuntemaan maahanmuuttajataustaisten oppilaiden kulttuurisia taustoja, yhdistää opetus oppijan aikaisempaan osaamiseen ja kokemuksiin sekä muuntaa opetusta vastaamaan monikielisten oppijoiden tarpeita. Tutkimustulokset vahvistavat käsitystä osaamiseen perustuvista malleista, ja niitä voidaan hyödyntää opettaankoulutuksen apuna sekä erilaisissa ympäristöissä toimivien opettajien kehityksen tukena. Nämä osatutkimukset saavat uuden merkityksen nykyisessä tilanteessa, jossa muuttoliike Eurooppaan yleensä ja Suomeen erityisesti on lisääntynyt. Tulokset antavat viitteitä siitä, että opettajankoulutus voi tarjota opettajaksi opiskeleville sellaisia suhtautumistapoja, taitoja ja tietämystä, jotka auttavat heitä tulevassa opettajan ammatissaan työskentelemään tehokkaasti erilaisista kieli- ja kulttuuritaustoista tulevien oppilaiden kanssa. Tulokset auttavat myös kehittämään sellaisia työkaluja ja menettelytapoja, joiden avulla voidaan mitata sekä pääosin kantasuomalaisista oppilaista koostuvien luokkien opettajien että vasta opettajaksi opiskelevien osaamista.Siirretty Doriast

Choral Singing and Wellbeing: Findings from a Survey of the Mixed-Chorus Experience from Music Students of the University of Education Winneba, Ghana

Choral singing, termed ‘mixed chorus’, is an integral part of the academic activities of the Department of Music Education, University of Education, Winneba. However, the impact of the singing on the wellbeing of the students and lecturers is largely unexplored. With 350 participants, this study contributes to filling that gap. Using questionnaire and interviews, the article examines the health benefits of singing in terms of emotional, psychological, social and physical wellbeing. It concludes that the mixed chorus has a great impact on the total health of the participants. However, this impact is dependent on some generative mechanisms needed inthe training of choral singers

Influencers of Inflation in Ghana

The effects of inflation on the economic life of the citizenry of a country and the theoretical causes have led to numerous researches in the area. Annual inflation rates in Ghana since 1990 show a fluctuating trend depicting how unsuccessful various governments and policy-makers have battled with changes in the general price level. The theoretical and empirical literature on inflation seem to suggest that the causes of inflation are multifaceted, and time specific, as well as dependent on the level of development of a country. This paper attempts to explore some of major triggers of inflation Ghana for decision-making and implementation as well as adding to existing researches in the area. It uses multiple linear regression analysis based on structural equation modelling through path analysis. It concludes that interest rate, proxied by Treasury bill rates, is the only major variable that has a positive and significant effect on inflation in Ghana with regard to the time period studied. Factors such as GDP growth, market capitalisation, gross fixed investment, and foreign direct investments proved insignificant in influencing inflation in Ghana. This study lends support to the fact that inflation reacts positively to changes in interest rates, therefore, governments and policy-makers must consider it critical when pursuing propoor growth policies

Developing Sports for Economic Growth and Development in Developing Countries

Many developing countries still struggle to industrialise to speed up the pace of economic growth and development. Given this, they continue to search for antidotes to the challenges of their underdevelopment. Sports development is touted by many as one of the antidotes to the underdevelopment challenges of developing countries. However, the major challenges developing countries face in recent times are how they can develop sports and how they can adequately harness its benefits for economic growth and development. This paper sought to holistically explore the challenges of sports development in developing nations, the long-term complementary strategies or cardinal pillars of sports development in developing nations, and the benefits of sports development and their effects on economic growth and development of developing nations. This paper employed a narrative overview research approach to arriving at its conclusions. It concludes that sports development hinges on the holistic development of ten long-run complementary strategies or cardinal pillars. In addition, sports development offers eight significant benefits that can help achieve economic growth and development in developing nations. One of the study's main recommendations is that sufficient and sustained levels of all kinds of investment in sports, coupled with strong institutions, good governance, and practical and interrelated policies, are critical for sports development and economic growth and development in developing countries

Determinants Of Capital Market Development In Ghana

This study sought to investigate the macroeconomic factors that influence capital market development in Ghana. The study was based on multiple linear regression analysis based on quarterly secondary data spanning from 1991 to 2011. Exploratory data analysis was used to verify and resolve basic assumptions of multivariate analysis. Research tools such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) through Path Analysis (i.e. Layered Regression technique) and tests of interactions among variables were used to test for the linear relationships between key variables in the estimated equations. The main empirical contribution of this study is that capital market development in Ghana is positively influenced by gross capital formation (GFI) and GDP growth, but negatively influenced by Treasury bill rates (T-BILLS). Inflation and foreign direct investments (FDI) did not prove significant in the estimated equation. These imply that policy-makers in Ghana should promote the growth of real income or output, and physical infrastructural development to enhance capital market development in Ghana. Interest rates and the government of Ghana’s Treasury bill rates must be fixed at reasonable levels to encourage investments in capital market securities. The application of this study is that the results and the estimated model are useful for predicting long run growth paths of capital markets in developing countries when country specific problems are well addressed

Exploring the Factors Perceived to be Inhibiting the Realisation of the Objectives of the Ghana Alternative Market (GAX)

The Ghana Alternative Market (GAX) was established in 2013 to provide equity financing avenue for the development of SMEs and startups in Ghana. However, after six years of its establishment, the market is still unable to attract adequate listing of SMEs and startups. This study explored the factors perceived to be inhibiting the realisation of the objectives of the GAX, and its target of listing fifty firms by the end of 2020. Frequency distribution, bivariate correlations and multiple regression techniques were explored in this study. The correlation analysis shows that “extent of objective realisation” is significantly associated with “achievement of target by the end of 2020”, “perceived importance” of GAX, and “inadequate information” on GAX, but is not correlated significantly with the other variables at 5% level of significance. The regression analysis revealed that fear of failure of small and medium businesses and startups and the low-income situation of prospective investors make negative influences on the degree to which the objective of GAX could be met. Thus, the degree to which the objective of GAX is met decreases as investors’ fear of failure and low-income situations increase. Taken into consideration the fact that only five (5) companies have been listed on the GAX since its inception, and the fact that only a few months remain till the end of 2020, it seems very difficult for the authorities of GAX to attain its target of listing 50 firms by the end of 2020. It is recommended that more time and efforts are needed for the realisation of its objectives. The officials of Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) and GAX must intensify education on the sector to boost the confidence of owners of SMEs and startups in the operations of the sector. Again, the government of Ghana must improve economic conditions in Ghana to increase the real incomes of workers in Ghana so as to help more people buy securities of listed SMEs and startups. The costs and requirements for listing on the GAX must be scaled down further. The government of Ghana must find the possibility of synchronising the activities of National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Plan (NEIP), Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) and GAX to reduce duplication of efforts and to ensure efficient allocation of financial resources to SMEs and startups in Ghana

The State as an Engine of Inclusive Sustainable Economic Growth and Development

This paper is a qualitative analysis of the critical role of government in promoting inclusive sustainable economic growth and development. This critical role of government transcends beyond an economy’s experience of normal economic life or economic crisis, the type of economic system that is being practiced by a nation, and the level of development of a nation. The reason is that government serves as a stimulator, driver, sparker, lubricator, and the co-ordinator of the other economic units to create a conducive environment needed for private sector growth and the overall development of an economy. Though, the state also has its deficiencies in resource allocation and the management of the economy, a poorly functioning government portends economic doom. The exclusive roles of governments in promoting inclusive sustainable economic growth and development are: smoothening markets activities, promoting better macroeconomic performances, driving, sparking, stimulating, and lubricating the private sector for growth, mitigating social vices, undertaking financial sector cleanup, stabilisation, restructuring, providing stimulus packages to address economic meltdowns or recessions, and combating pandemics. This study concludes that the state serves as an engine of inclusive sustainable economic growth and development. This study recommends that governments must be held accountable by their citizenry and the international community for their actions and inactions and should be prevented from shirking their responsibilities to their societies. They need to be more efficient and proactive in ensuring public sector efficiency so as to spearhead economic growth and development. Again, the roles of the state and the private sector in promoting inclusive sustainable economic growth and development must not be mutually exclusive. Every economy must strive for a healthy balance between private sector and state planning that will lead to inclusive sustainable economic growth and development. Governments must promote effective governance and combat corruption both in the private and public sectors of every economy

Compositional processes of Xylafrique: A Contemporary Art Composition based on the Dagaaba gyil of Ghana.

In recent years, theorist and creative ethnomusicologists have been stressing on the use of elements in indigenous music to achieve syncretism in musical compositions. This article examines the compositional processes of Xylafrique, a contemporary art composition based on Dagaaba gyil of Ghana. It delineates traditional elements in relation to conventions of xylophone musical genre of the Dagaaba.  It highlights the compositional applications of both Western and African music based on Webster’s model of creative thinking, Nketia’s syncretic approach theory and the bi-musicality and African Pianism theories of Euba. Xylafrique provides a theoretical platform that aids the study of traditional music that could be adapted for other non-Western music traditions. It exposes selected traditional idioms of Dagaaba gyil genre to the world of composition. The composition adds to the repertoire of art music and therefore envisaged that it will foster creativity in not only students studying composition but art composers who use traditional elements in constructing their imaginative ideas in creating music. Keywords: Xylafrique, gyil, Dagaaba, syncretic, bi-musicality, African-pianis

Estimating Price Premiums for Breads Marketed as “Low-Carbohydrate Breadsâ€

Retail data are used in a hedonic pricing framework to estimate the premium paid for the “low-carbohydrate†attribute and other attributes of bread at grocery and non-grocery stores in a regional market. Results show that consumer willingness to pay is influenced by the “low-carbohydrate†attribute as well as by sugar, fiber, and fat content; serving size; and size of loaf. Implicit price premiums vary significantly by retail location. However, price differentials may be compounded by the absence of an acceptable definition for low-carbohydrate foods.Demand and Price Analysis, Marketing,