Mathematics Education and Neurosciences: Relating Spatial Structures to the Development of Spatial Sense and Number Sense

The Mathematics Education and Neurosciences (MENS) project is aimed at exploring the development of the mathematical abilities of young (four- to six-year old) children. It is initiated to integrate research from mathematics education with research from educational neuroscience in order to come to a better understanding of how the early skills of young children can best be fostered for supporting the development of mathematical abilities in an educational setting. This paper is specifically focused on the design research that is being conducted from the perspective of mathematics education in which we are investigating the relationship between young children’s insight into spatial structures and the development of spatial and number sense. This should result in a series of classroom activities that may stimulate children’s development of spatial and number skills

The Interaction Between Multimedia Data Analysis and Theory Development in Design Research

Mathematics education researchers conducting instruction experiments using a design research methodology are challenged with the analysis of often complex and large amounts of qualitative data. In this paper, we present two case studies that show how multimedia analysis software can greatly support video data analysis and theory development in design research. The software can (a) act as a type of mould for organising large amounts of data; (b) contribute to improving the trackability and reliability of the research; and (c) support theory generation and validation. We propose an integrated model that elucidates the complex process of data analysis by showing how each of the components that are involved in the data analysis procedures feeds into the emerging local instruction theory. The model combines the intricate cycles of coding and analysing raw video data with the cumulative cyclic process that characterises design research in mathematics education. Our experiences with this model may support other mathematics education researchers in the development of thorough and empirically supported local instruction theories from complex qualitative analyses

Sustaining international partnerships : the European master of science programme in occupational therapy, a case study

International partnerships are a mechanism for supporting the academic development of occupational therapy and promoting cultural competence. This case study describes the factors that have helped to sustain a post-qualifying programme implemented by five higher education institutions in Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK since 1999. Data collection methods were documentary analysis and the reflections of a purposive sample of six key informants. Cohort and outcome data, from 193 students from 31 countries who enrolled between 1999 and 2011, are reported. Each cohort comprises students from an average of eight countries to optimize inter-cultural dialogue. Four factors support sustainability. These are 1) supportive professional European networks; 2) timeliness and alignment with European higher education policy; 3) partnership structures and processes that emphasize joint decision making and accountability; and 4) the stimulus and satisfaction associated with internationalization. The main limitations are considering the OT-EuroMaster as an intrinsic case study and using opportunistic data collection that undermines the rigor and transferability of the findings. Future opportunities include doctoral networks, transnational research and sharing our curricula design with other Regions to spread the collaborative, capacity building endeavours more widely

Language differences in qualitative research: is meaning lost in translation?

This article discusses challenges of language differences in qualitative research, when participants and the main researcher have the same non-English native language and the non-English data lead to an English publication. Challenges of translation are discussed from the perspective that interpretation of meaning is the core of qualitative research. As translation is also an interpretive act, meaning may get lost in the translation process. Recommendations are suggested, aiming to contribute to the best possible representation and understanding of the interpreted experiences of the participants and thereby to the validity of qualitative research

West Ouder Wijzer: Zelf initiatief nemen om gezond en actief ouder te worden

West Ouder Wijze (WOW) is ontstaan op initiatief van senioren zelf. Eén van hen, een actieve buurtbewoner en lid van een Amsterdams stadsdorp, woonde een bijeenkomst bij over de betekenis van stadsdorpen bij het versterken en uitbreiden van een sociaal netwerk onder ouderen. Een stadsdorp is een initiatief van en voor bewoners die onderling willen zorgen dat zij lang actief, gezond en veilig thuis kunnen (blijven) wonen. De presentatie over het programma Gezond en Actief Ouder Worden (GAOW) van de Hogeschool van Amsterdam (HvA) gaf inspiratie het programma ‘op maat’ te maken om het volledig door buurtbewoners zelf, en niet via een zorgorganisatie, in de eigen wijk te gaan toepassen. En zo werd WOW geboren: een veelbelovende, toepassing van het innovatieve GAOW-programma

Gezond actief ouder worden: een groepsprogramma voor en door zelfstandige ouderen om actief aan gezondheid en kwaliteit van leven te werken

The booklet describes the renewed Healthy Active Ageing programme, a neighbourhood-oriented health-promoting group programme for and by older people living independently at home. Participants in the programme exchange experiences and knowledge and actively explore topics they consider important, now and with a view to the future. The aim of the programme is to improve participants' perceived health and quality of life by strengthening resilience and increasing opportunities to do activities that have personal meaning