The purpose of the edited volume is to provide an international lens to examine evidence-based investigations in Ethno-STEM research: Ethno-science, Ethno-technology, Ethno-engineering, and Ethno-mathematics. These themes grew out of multi-national, multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary efforts to preserve as well as epitomize the role that Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) play in cognitive development and its vital contributions to successful and meaningful learning in conventional and non-conventional contexts. Principled by the Embodied, Situated, and Distributed Cognition (ESDC), this innovative book will provide evidence supporting the embeddedness of a thinking-in-acting model as a fundamental framework that explains and supports students' acquisition of scientific knowledge. So often 'western' science curricula are experienced as irrelevant, since it does not take cognizance of the daily experiences and world in which the learner finds himself. This book takes a socio-cultural look at IKS and applies research in neuroscience to make a case its incorporation in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) classroom. We use the Embodied Situated Distributed Cognition (ESDC) Model as conceptual framework in this book. Although the value of IKS is often acknowledged in curriculum policy documents, teachers are most often not trained in incorporating IK in the classroom. Teachers' lack of the necessary pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) in effectively incorporating IK in their classrooms is a tremendous problem internationally. Another problem is that IK is often perceived as "pseudo-science", and scholars advocating for the incorporation of IK in the school curriculum often do not contextualize their arguments within a convincing theoretical and conceptual framework.

Local school boards in the United States spend almost $600 billion of the public's money and employ millions of Americans. They have a prime role, along with the home, in shaping the future for the country's young. Yet the more than 14,000 boards of education are obscure and most people have not the vaguest notion of how they operate and what impact they have. "School Boards in America" aims to provide a wide audience - educators and college students, board members, policymakers, parents and other taxpayers, and just about anyone interested in public affairs - with an inside view that will forever affect the ways in which they look at public schools and how they are governed.

This timely collection of theoretical and applied studies examines the pedagogical potential and realities of digital technologies in a wide range of disciplinary contexts across the educational spectrum. By mixing content-based chapters with a theoretical perspective with case studies detailing actual teaching approaches utilizing digital technologies in the classroom or on campus, this work provides a valuable resource for teacher trainers, academic researchers, administrators, and students interested in interdisciplinary studies of education and learning technologies from around the world.

The present book shares critical perspectives on the conceptualization, implementation, discourses, policies, and alternative practices of environmental education (EE) for diverse and unique groups of learners in a variety of international educational settings. Each contribution offers insights on the authors' own processes of re-imagining an education in/about/for the environment that are realized through their teaching, research and other ways of "doing" EE. Overall, environmental education has been aimed at giving people a wider appreciation of the diversity of cultural and environmental systems around them as well as the urge to overcome existing problems. In this context, universities, schools, and community-based organizations struggle to promote sustainable environmental education practices geared toward the development of ecologically literate citizens in light of surmountable challenges of hyperconsumerism, environmental depletion and socioeconomic inequality. The extent that individuals within educational systems are expected to effectively respond to-as well as benefit from-a "greener" and more just world becomes paramount with the vision and analysis of different successes and challenges embodied by EE efforts worldwide. This book fosters conversations amongst researchers, teacher educators, schoolteachers, and community leaders in order to promote new international collaborations around current and potential forms of environmental education. This book reflects many successful international projects and perspectives on the theory and praxis of environmental education. An eclectic mix of international scholars challenge environmental educators to engage issues of reconciliation of correspondences and difference across regions. In their own ways, authors stimulate critical conversations that seem pivotal for necessary re-imaginings of research and pedagogy across the grain of cultural and ecological realities, systematic barriers and reconceptualizations of environmental education. The book is most encouraging in that it works to expand the creative commons for progress in teaching, researching and doing environmental education in desperate times. - Paul Hart, Professor of Science and Environmental Education at the University of Regina (Canada), Melanson Award for outstanding contributions to environmental and outdoor education (Saskatchewan Outdoor and Environmental Education Association) and North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE)'s Jeske Award for Leadership and Service to the Field of EE and Outstanding Contributions to Research in EE. In an attempt to overcome simplistic and fragmented views of doing Environmental Education in both formal and informal settings, the collected authors from several countries/continents present a wealth of cultural, social, political, artistic, pedagogical, and ethical perspectives that enrich our vision on the theoretical and practical foundations of the field. A remarkable book that I suggest all environmental educators, teacher educators, policy and curricular writers read and present to their students in order to foster dialogue around innovative ways of experiencing an education about/in/for the environment. - Rute Monteiro, Professor of Science Education, Universidade do Algarve/ University of Algarve (Portugal).

Business education and business research has often been criticized by the business community, which claims that much of it is mainly directed at the establishment of teachers and researchers themselves, instead of distributing their knowledge to the business community. It may seem that many universities and other research institutions have turned into mere knowledge manufacturers', where the emphasis is more on the output volume than on quality of relevance, with little or no consideration for the end users.

As universities and corporations attempt to prepare management to be alert to future changes, improved and even brand new teaching methodologies are required. The main focus of the present volume is on the distribution and selection of new knowledge. How can business educators deliver new knowledge to students and the business community more rapidly than before? How should we define the core business curriculum when new knowledge becomes old knowledge?

This book will be a practical guide to developing and implementing online courses. It is based on a model now in use at Paris Junior College in Paris, TX which has often resulted in retention rates of over 90%. It will be a comprehensive practitioner's guide including information on retention and multimedia support. This book will be a guide to anyone who may wish to teach online in any subject area at any level. The book provides actual examples of problems and solutions concerning online courses and also includes examples of supporting documents. Through a supporting Web site, the book will include actual examples of multimedia support now in use The book might also be used in graduate classes as a curriculum development guide. Readers would use the book as a guide as they actually create online courses. This would take most of the guess work out of course creation and provide a solid foundation for distance learning programs. The book provides a simple yet effective approach to online learning. It uses a model that has been proven to be effective with retention rates to support the contention. It provides information on a retention study and multimedia support as well, two areas that have not been addressed very often to this point.

There has recently been a societal push to better achieve equity for all, with many bringing to light the bias, racism, and discrimination that many factions face on a daily basis. Naturally, integrating diversity and social inclusion thoughts into the classroom is one of the best ways to start changing the mindset of society and promoting more inclusive practices in the next generations. Therefore, diversity and social inclusion have become common approaches in the planning and management of primary, secondary, and higher education schools in many international contexts. However, there are certainly challenges that must be overcome in developing these new practices and their implementation within teacher curriculum. Instilling Diversity and Social Inclusion Practices in Teacher Education and Curriculum Development provides an analysis of educational inclusion practices and identifies university students' voices on diversity and social inclusion. It further assesses teacher performance in an international online training context and promotes a model of curriculum development on diversity and social inclusion. Covering topics such as culturally competent teachers, student academic achievement, and attitudes towards diversity, this premier reference source is an excellent resource for teacher educators, pre-service teachers, administrators and educators of both K-12 and higher education, social workers, researchers, and academicians.

This book synthesizes theoretical perspectives, empirical evidence and practical strategies for improving teacher education in chemistry. Many chemistry lessons involve mindless "cookbook" activities where students and teachers follow recipes, memorise formulae and recall facts without understanding how and why knowledge in chemistry works. Capitalising on traditionally disparate areas of research, the book investigates how to make chemistry education more meaningful for both students and teachers. It provides an example of how theory and practice in chemistry education can be bridged. It reflects on the nature of knowledge in chemistry by referring to theoretical perspectives from philosophy of chemistry. It draws on empirical evidence from research on teacher education, and illustrates concrete strategies and resources that can be used by teacher educators. The book describes the design and implementation of an innovative teacher education project to show the impact of an intervention on pre-service teachers. The book shows how, by making use of visual representations and analogies, the project makes some fairly abstract and complex ideas accessible to pre-service teachers.

At its core, culturally responsive pedagogy represents a professional philosophy that is based on teachers' fundamental commitment to students' success. Authors Taylor and Sobel believe that teachers want to approach their teaching from the pivotal point that each of their students' lives matter. Working from a broad perspective of culture, the authors view culturally responsive teaching as a contextual and situational process for both teachers and students-all students-including those who are from a diversity of languages, cultures, racial/ethnic backgrounds, religions, economic resources, interests, abilities, and life experiences as well as students who are members of the society's 'mainstream' cultural, linguistic, and socio-economic background. Recognizing that teachers are conduits of culture regardless of what content they teach, the authors assert that when culture is coupled with pedagogy the result involves a complex and comprehensive mix of knowledge and skills for teachers to use to engage a diverse student population This book is intended as a guide and practical discussion for K-12 teachers who are committed to culturally responsive pedagogy and recognize the structural inequalities in society that are reflected in its schools. Such teachers acknowledge that schools have a history of failing to serve students who are outside of the 'mainstream' culture. For those teachers who recognize the sociopolitical nature of education and the role their own cultural background and privilege play in their work as a professional educator, they will find meaningful applications of research-based exemplars used to create and manage rigorous learning environments that maximize students' opportunities to learn.

Reissuing works originally published between 1971 and 1994, this collection includes books which offer a broad spectrum of views on curriculum, both within individual schools and the wider issues around curriculum development, reform and implementation. Some cover the debate surrounding the establishment of the national curriculum in the UK while others are a more international in scope. Many of these books go beyond theory to discuss practical issues of real curriculum changes at primary or secondary level. The Set includes books on cross-curricular topics such as citizenship and environment, and also guidance, careers, life skills and pastoral care in schools. A fantastic collection of education history with much still relevant today.

This book presents an innovative Multidimensional Curriculum Model (MdCM) that develops future thinking literacy among all ages and levels of school students. It combines theory and practice and is highly applicable for policy makers, curriculum coordinators, lecturers at colleges of education, graduate students, and teachers, who are challenged daily to provide meaningful and up-to-date learning. It will aid teachers to prepare learners for the fast-changing world and equip them with skills that will help them control their futures. It combines latest teaching strategies of transdisciplinarity, phenomenon-based, project based, and problem-based learning, in a unique manner so as to develop 21st century skills. More specifically, it aims at developing higher order thinking skills and processes referred to as scientific, creative, and future thinking. It covers core and non-core-curriculum domains, multi and transdisciplinary teaching, as well as designing curricula for the gifted, the able and students at risk. It applies the latest theories on constructivism and carefully selected tools authentically and relevantly to create interest and challenge, addressing learning from personal, global, and time perspectives. Each chapter highlights a strategy or thinking tool, commencing with theory, followed by a unit description and lesson plans. The chapters each end with a final product named the future scenario. This scenario, written by students projecting themselves into the future, is based on accumulated knowledge, summarizes their learning, and illustrates future thinking literacy.

Hardbound. This book is the first of its kind to address community arts and evaluation with an emphasis on the visual arts. This volume draws together a variety of international perspectives dealing with the common difficulty of conception related to both the mission of community centers and of the value of the visual arts programs offered within them. This volume provides a wide range of views solicited from scholars, expert in evaluation and community arts, who are situated in different cultural settings.

Educators are faced with more challenges today than ever before. Besides being interpreters and implementers of the curriculum, teachers need to understand curriculum design, curriculum approaches and models, legislation, and prescribed policies. They have to be able to analyse existing learning programmes and resource material in order to prepare instructional designs, with effective teaching, learning, and assessment in mind. Curriculum studies: Development, interpretation, plan and practice offers sound, detailed, and practical direction with reference to the CAPS, to help teachers to enhance teaching, learning, and assessment. This book narrows the gap between the curriculum plan, instructional design, and teaching practice. The views of Tyler, Stenhouse, Freire and others serve as a theoretical grounding for a deeper understanding of the teacher's role as interpreter of the curriculum. Reference is also made to the influence of contextual aspects, and practical guidance is provided in terms of curriculum innovation and teaching practice. The topics covered in this book include the following: The theoretical framing of curriculum design; Understanding the curriculum in context; Considering policy documents during curriculum interpretation and implementation; Practical guidance for putting curriculum plans into practice: from the intended to the enacted and the assessed Curriculum studies: Development, interpretation, plan and practice is aimed at teachers in the General Education and Training (GET) and Further Education and Training (FET) phases.

The goal of this text is to help teachers in diverse classrooms understand the importance of students' culture, languages, and schooling experiences to curriculum, assessment, and student achievement. Readers will learn about aspects of specific cultures and languages that are important to their understanding of their students, and they will discover that cultures that are often considered similar may not be so (and why they aren't). Finally, the text focuses on how teachers can integrate languages and cultures into classrooms and how to account for students' backgrounds and funds of knowledge when devising tasks. The text starts with an introduction to language and culture that presents a research?based explanation of why these concepts are important for teachers to understand (Chapter 1). Then, the middle 28 chapters each address one country/culture. Each chapter starts with a school scenario in the US. Part 2 of each chapter includes evidence?based demographic and background data on the country, including historical events that may have an impact on our students and their families. Part 3 includes a look at education, schooling, and culture, including famous people, contributions to the world, personal characteristics, important religious information, focal customs, and other aspects that are important to cultural insiders. Part 4 is about language and literacy traditions and how they relate to the culture, a number of words that teachers can learn (e.g., yes, no, thank you, please, hello), how the language is different from and similar to English, and what those differences and similarities might mean for English language learners from that culture. Part 5 comprises advice, resources, and ideas for teachers (for example, if it is an oral culture, the teacher might consider working with students on oral storytelling before transitioning to written stories, or incorporate both using technology). Each chapter also contains recommended readings and resources and short exercises that extend the chapter information. The final chapter presents parting notes for teachers and additional suggestions for addressing diversity.

This book includes papers written by teachers and how they engage holistic education in their classrooms. The papers come from a course taught by Jack Miller at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto entitled The Holistic Curriculum. This is a rich and diverse collection of papers showing how holistic education can be brought into public education despite the pressures of testing and other accountability measures. Although most of the teachers teach in public schools there are also examples from teachers working in private and post secondary settings. This book can inspire other teachers who are looking for ways to teach the whole person in a more connected manner. There are very few texts in the field of holistic education that include the voices and practices of teachers, particularly those working in public schools. Many of the examples of holistic education in practice come from Waldorf, Montessori, Reggio Emilia and alternative schools. A unique feature of this book is the many different voices of teachers describing their work in the classroom; they talk about their successes, the challenges and even a few failures.

Understanding Decision-Making in Educational Contexts presents 'problem cases' confronting school leaders in real settings, and illustrates the multiple approaches that school leaders draw upon to navigate complex and challenging decision-making contexts. Although school leaders draw upon knowledge and instruments that are available to them, the approach used for this volume is decidedly Popperian in nature. In this collection, each chapter presents a case study problem, a discussion of the salient concepts and principles of the case, an exploration of problem formulation, and concludes with a decision analysis using a Popperian approach to problem solving. Each chapter concludes with lessons learned and the expected decision-making skills acquired from the critical analysis of each educational challenge using the Objective Knowledge Growth Framework, a Popperian decision-making approach. This book is essential reading for anyone who aspires to take on a leadership role in a school setting, or is curious to develop their understanding of leadership problems.

This book is the outcome of a global study undertaken on behalf of the World Education Fellowship (WEF) in collaboration with UNESCO. It provides education policy makers with evidence to support programs that address the major challenges faced by education systems in the next decade. It contains case studies, and it expands on the work done by UNESCO 's International Commission on Education for the 21st Century (the Delors Report).

There is widespread belief, confirmed by research, that geographic literacy levels are unacceptably low. This book brings to teachers and others concerned about enlivening the place of geography in the school curriculum information in the several dimensions that must be considered if the contribution of geography to one's general education is to be reasonably understood. Included are (1) the history of geography in the school curriculum, along with why and how this strand has come to occupy the place it does in the modern school curriculum; (2) information about the evolution of modern-day geographic thinking (including a brief review of its history as a unifying form of intellectual inquiry); (3) reviews of research relating to the development of spatial abilities and the ability to read maps; (4) discussion of the way the teaching of geographic concepts may be incorporated across the curriculum; (5) analyses of the problem of evaluating progress in teaching geographic ideas and of the problems raised by recent technological developments. Geographic literacy is not simply a desirable educational goal but a most important one for today's schools. But today's geography is much more than knowing the names and locations of places around the world or facts about their importance, knowledge that soon becomes out of date. Today's geography emphasizes becoming knowledgeable about the interrelationships that characterize the human occupancy of physical environments-it is more a way of thinking about spatial interractions than it is of specific bits and pieces of information which the passage of time will make out of date. Educational caregivers-teachers, school supervisors and administrators, school board members-will find here a book that integrates our knowledge about the discipline of geography over time, its place in the school curriculum, research data about how students acquire spatial concepts, and how they learn to read maps, providing throughout discussions of meanings for teaching. Teachers teach what they know; they need up-to-date information if they are to become more effective in teaching students how to think about spatial interactions, to think geographically. School leaders need to be sensitive to the nature of geographic inquiry if they are to interpret to teachers and the public what constitutes geographic literacy and, in the process, assist teachers in becoming more effective in helping students achieve the kind of knowledge a broad segment of society agrees is important to citizenship in the 21st century.