Learning intentions and success criteria: learners' and teachers' views

It is generally accepted that Assessment for Learning (AfL) strategies are effective in teaching and learning. Approaches within this framework include the use of formative feedback, self and peer assessment and setting and discussion of learning intentions (LIs) and success criteria (SC). There has been a great deal of research into AfL strategies, but perhaps less into the way that the use of LIs and SC are actually perceived by teachers and their pupils. The purpose of the research described in this paper was to investigate teachers’ and pupils’ perceptions of AfL strategies, focusing specifically on LIs and SC within lessons. Findings showed that while both cohorts agreed on the usefulness of LIs and SC, in practice they were rarely discussed in class. Teachers displayed a variety of understandings regarding their purpose, and some learners, while appreciating their value for revision purposes, also expressed frustration at the tokenistic way in which they were implemented. The results of this study could be helpful in informing the wider education community about how LIs and SC are viewed by teachers and learners with a view to ensure understandings are consistent with research and policy through focused professional development courses

Mobility in higher education: new need to improve it?

The aim of The Bologna Process is, amongst others, to improve the mobility of students in Higher Education. The Erasmus programme helps students to study in other European Universities, know other countries, live another culture (folklore, food, language, etc.), develop autonomy and mature as an adult person. In Cadiz, Spain, the international seminar “Improving mobility through collaborative exchange” took place in May 2015. The participants were universities of Glasgow (UK), Madeira (Portugal), Gazi (Turkey), Linz (Austria), Zielona Gora (Poland) and Cadiz (Spain). Representatives from those countries expressed concern about problems that students might suffer during mobility. The literature has pointed out that the economic, social and academic stresses they experience can, in some cases, generate or exacerbate mental disorders (Bradley, 2000) and generate depression and anxiety (Russell et al, 2010; Ying & Han, 2006) which can even manifest itself in somatic symptoms (Mori, 2000); this could involve classroom absences and drug taking as side effects.This study describes the positive experiences of five University of Cadiz Erasmus students under a collaborative exchange between the universities, detailing the measures taken by the host universities to address potential stressful issues

Professional partnership between universities and schools: the use of a diagnostic tool to support development of student teachers’ professional skills

This paper describes a case study concerning a student teacher at risk of failing a teaching placement, who was supported by colleagues and university tutors through the use of a diagnostic tool in the form of a checklist. The checklist comprised a number of categories relating to aspects of teaching and learning within the classroom and was used consistently by staff to provide feedback to the student and as a basis for discussion and evaluation of his lessons. Scrutiny of the checklists, completed over a four week period, staff questionnaires and staff and student interviews indicate that the student and teaching staff found the tool user friendly and helpful in identifying areas of good practice and those requiring development. Other benefits for the student included the development of a pro-active approach to planning lessons and reflection on practice. The tool may be useful as a means of providing formative feedback and initiating dialogue relating to practice, particularly at an early stage of a teaching career

Mother tongue plus two languages: are Scottish Primary Teachers confident to deliver?

Recent policy reforms in Scotland mean that all primary teachers are expected to teach a foreign language (FL) to children from age 5, introducing a second language around age 9. This small-scale research study aimed to ascertain 38 primary teachers’ perceptions of their confidence to teach an FL to primary learners and what they felt would be helpful in developing their language proficiency and language teaching pedagogy. The teachers, while enthusiastic about the thinking behind the policy, expressed concern about their ability to provide a good model of language to their classes and their own development as learners of a language while simultaneously having to teach it. FL assistants, secondary colleagues and FL development officers were seen as valuable sources of support, but questions were raised about the sustainability of the policy without long-term permanent commitment

It’s good to talk. An investigation into target language use in the modern languages classroom.

Although there is a considerable body of research into various aspects of the teaching and learning of English as a foreign language, there appear to be few studies into the teaching of modern foreign languages (ML) to adolescents in the context of a secondary school setting. This thesis reports the findings of research aimed at identifying the strategies that ML teachers, considered examples of good practice, used to engage secondary school learners in interaction in the target language (TL) with the objective of developing their communicative competence. Four teachers’ lessons with their pupils aged 14-15, in their third year of learning a foreign language at secondary school, were observed and audio-recorded. Three of each of the teachers’ observed lessons were subjected to fine grained analysis with the aim of delineating their TL moves which appeared to influence pupils so that they used the TL themselves readily to communicate meaning ‘naturally’ as well as to practise structures in more controlled exercises. The teachers and a sample of their pupils were subsequently interviewed to provide confirmation or disconfirmation of initial patterns arising from examination of the observational data set. Although the data were analysed predominantly qualitatively, quantitative methods were also employed to provide a clear picture of the teachers’ TL use and the way it was deployed to assist learners in developing effective communicative skills. Goffman’s (1981) production and Wadensjö’s (1998) reception formats, not normally associated with the classroom, were considered appropriate to describe the participation frameworks within which the development of the learners’ communicative proficiency was supported. The findings display ways in which the TL used by the teachers helped to create a secure collaborative atmosphere where pupils were disposed to respond in the TL. The teachers’ use of different ‘types’ of TL, depending on the focus in the lesson, was viewed as supporting learners in preparation for communicating their own meaning in exchanges in ‘real world’ interaction outside the classroom. A particularly successful scaffolding strategy employed by the teachers was the provision of TL cues offered to the learners before they responded to initiations which enabled them to express their meaning in the TL. Revoicing of learners’ incomplete TL utterances also appeared successful in supporting learners to use their limited language resource effectively. Through its close analysis of classroom talk, this thesis offers an important contribution to the understanding of the complex nature of interaction in the ML classroom and the role that teachers’ use of TL plays in assisting adolescent learners to develop TL communication skills in interaction. Beginning teachers, as well as those more experienced practitioners, should benefit from the strategies identified, which appear to highlight the importance of establishing a collaborative classroom ethos which supports the learners, allowing them to contribute in the TL successfully

Modern languages

No abstract available

German teaching and learning in early years and primary schools in the UK

German is traditionally less popular in UK primary schools than French or Spanish, perhaps because of a lack of qualified teachers or training opportunities. In this chapter, issues are discussed regarding the quality and consistency of language teaching, where England and Scotland are the only component countries which have policies. These are vague and lack coherence, nor do they specify language(s) children should learn. The Goethe Institut and other organisations’ work providing materials and resources for learning German and training opportunities are acknowledged, but these are on a small scale, compared to, for example, the coverage afforded by the Confucius Institute network. The chapter discusses the situation regarding German teaching and learning and concludes that a coherent programme of teacher training, including curriculum, methodology, materials and evaluation goals, underpinned by a clear funding commitment, must be in place to support teachers and primary learners for German to flourish

Modern languages

No abstract available

Students’ Perceptions of Problem-Based Learning in Multidisciplinary Groups When Seeking to Solve an Engineering Grand Challenge

This paper presents findings from a small-scale research study eliciting students’ perceptions of benefits and challenges of working in interdisciplinary groups to solve an engineering challenge using problem-based learning. Penultimate and final year undergraduates and postgraduate MSc students in the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences at a Scottish university, studying Robotics, Mechanical, Chemical,  Electrical  and Software Engineering worked in interdisciplinary groups of five on a project to provide solutions to the United States National Academy of Engineering Grand Challenges (NAEGC). Students were surveyed twice, using closed and open questions before and towards the end of the project. Data were analysed using a thematic approach. Findings showed that most students saw benefits to problem-based working with students from other disciplines, citing increased awareness of approaches, future ‘real world’ professional preparation and efficiency in problem solving. However, challenges around scheduling meetings and concerns around cross-discipline collaboration indicate that universities should provide training for students before undertaking such problem-based projects, to ensure maximum educational benefits. In addition, greater emphasis needs to be put on students’ awareness of the added benefits of development of the ‘soft skills’ needed for future professional practice