Perspectives on Transitions in Schooling and Instructional Practice


Book Description

Perspectives on Transitions in Schooling and Instructional Practice examines student transitions between major levels of schooling, teacher transitions in instructional practice, and the intersection of these two significant themes in education research. Twenty-six leading international experts offer meaningful insights on current pedagogical practices, obstacles to effective transitions, and proven strategies for stakeholders involved in supporting students in transition. The book is divided into four sections, representing the four main transitions in formal schooling: Early Years (Home, Pre-school, and Kindergarten) to Early Elementary (Grades 1–3); Early Elementary to Late Elementary (Grades 4–8); Late Elementary to Secondary (Grades 9–12); and Secondary to Post-Secondary (College and University). A coda draws together over-arching themes from throughout the text to provide recommendations and a visual model that captures their interactions. Combining theoretical approaches with practical examples of school-based initiatives, this book will appeal to those involved in supporting either the student experience (both academically and emotionally) or teacher professional learning and growth.




Evaluating Transition to School Programs


Book Description

Transition to school represents a time of great change for all involved. Many transition to school programs have been developed to support positive transitions to school. While these programs have involved complex planning and implementation, often they have not been evaluated in rigorous or systematic ways. This book brings together Australian and international perspectives on research and practice to explore approaches to evaluating transition to school programs. For children, school is quite different from anything else they have experienced. For families and educators, there are considerable changes as they interact with new people and take on new roles. Developing effective transition to school programs is a key policy initiative around the world, based on recognition of the importance of a positive start to school and the impact of this for future school engagement and outcomes. Throughout the chapters of this book, authors from Australia, Germany, Sweden, Ireland and Jamaica share examples of evaluation practice, with the aim of encouraging educators to reflect on their own contexts and adopt evaluation practices that are relevant and appropriate for them. The book brings together the fields of evaluation research and transition to school. A wide range of examples and figures is used to relate research and practice and to illustrate possible applications of evaluation strategies. Evaluating Transition to School Programs highlights the importance of multiple perspectives of the transition to school and offers suggestions about how the perspectives of children, families, educators and community members might be included and analysed in evaluation strategies. Other themes throughout the book include the importance of collaboration, respectful and trusting relationships, practitioner-driven inquiry, strengths-based approaches and developing programs that are responsive to context. This book is written for educators and leaders in early years and primary school settings, and will also be of interest to researchers, students and policy makers in the field.




Transitions in Mathematics Education


Book Description

This book examines the kinds of transitions that have been studied in mathematics education research. It defines transition as a process of change, and describes learning in an educational context as a transition process. The book focuses on research in the area of mathematics education, and starts out with a literature review, describing the epistemological, cognitive, institutional and sociocultural perspectives on transition. It then looks at the research questions posed in the studies and their link with transition, and examines the theoretical approaches and methods used. It explores whether the research conducted has led to the identification of continuous processes, successive steps, or discontinuities. It answers the question of whether there are difficulties attached to the discontinuities identified, and if so, whether the research proposes means to reduce the gap – to create a transition. The book concludes with directions for future research on transitions in mathematics education.







Transitions in the field of special education


Book Description

The purpose of this book is to explore the phenomenon of transition as it relates to the field of special education within the Nordic countries of Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland. First, the authors investigate transition in the field of special education with respect to historical developments and the shifting prominence of diverse guiding theories. Second, we examine the process of transition in a wide range of special education contexts, including transitions from home to school, school to work, and across other contexts and types of support. The target audience for the book includes authors and researchers in academic and government research institutions, professionals working in special education and related fields, as well as students at graduate and doctoral levels. There are 16 chapters with contributions from the editors and 15 other international authors: Jorun Buli-Holmberg, David L. Cameron, Camilla Brørup Dyssegaard, Niels Egelund, Astrid Birgitte Eggen, Britta Hannus-Gullmets, Camilla Herlofsen, Maryann Jortveit, Velibor Bobo Kova?, Ingrid Lund, Johan Malmqvist, David Mitchell, Sven Nilsen, Heidi Omdal, Kristina Ström, Ragnar Thygesen, and Anne Dorthe Tveit.




Transitions to School - International Research, Policy and Practice


Book Description

This book provides an important compilation and synthesis of current work in transition to school research. The book focuses strongly on the theoretical underpinnings of research in transition to school. It outlines key theoretical positions and connects those to the implications for policy and practice, thereby challenging readers to re-conceptualize their understandings, expectations and perceptions of transition to school. The exploration of this range of theoretical perspectives and the application of these to a wide range of research and research contexts makes this book an important and innovative contribution to the scholarship of transition to school research. A substantial part of the book is devoted to detailed examples of transition to school practice. These chapters provide innovative examples of evidence-based practice and contribute in turn, to practice-based evidence. The book is also devoted to considering policy issues and implications related to the transition to school. It records a genuine, collaborative effort to bring together a range of perspectives into a Transition to School Position Statement that will inform ongoing research, practice and policy. The collaborative, research, policy and practice based development of this position statement represents a world-first.




Perspectives on Enhancing Student Transition Into Higher Education and Beyond


Book Description

Transition and change are part of everyone’s life. In the context of higher education, there are multiple points where students will undergo transition. This includes the move from secondary and further education or elsewhere into higher education, where students move from school or college to university. As students near the completion of their studies, they must make decisions about career or further study options, which again necessitates transition. In addition, different cohorts of students such as those from a low socio-economic background, international students, and students facing additional barriers due to gender, ethnicity, or disability will face further transitions. Many students look forward to moving on and progressing with their studies and careers; however, transitions can be challenging, and enhanced support can ensure continued success for all. Perspectives on Enhancing Student Transition Into Higher Education and Beyond supports the various transitions that students entering higher education face throughout the entire learner journey. This book brings together best practice examples of how institutions have enhanced the support offered to address the transition challenges that students face throughout the learner journey before, through, and beyond the university environment. Covering topics such as collaborative teamwork, postgraduate education, and student engagement, this premier reference source is an excellent resource for faculty, administrators, professors, educational leaders, academic advisors, researchers, academicians, and more.




All Change!


Book Description

Examines transitions within education – between year groups, key stages and schools – and how they can be managed and supported for the maximum benefit of the pupil. There is recognition that educational experiences can have a profound impact on both employability and future well-being. Beneath the political rhetoric is the need for a deepened understanding of how to develop lifelong learners, who can react positively to change and who can think critically, reflectively and independently. Supporting and managing transitions within the educational system lies at the heart of this and is therefore vitally important for all pupils. Drawing upon theory, the book provides examples of practical strategies supported by real life case studies from both working practitioners and key stakeholders including pupils and parents. These raise awareness of both challenges and good practice, while also providing key opportunities for different sectors to learn from one another.







Transitions to Early Care and Education


Book Description

Transitions to new educational experiences are a universal rite of passage encountered by children worldwide. This volume in the Educating the Young Child: Advances in Theory and Research, Implications for Practice series provides early childhood educators with a resource that focuses on the transitions that young children make to early care and education settings, along with the issues that surround this important time in their lives. New experiences, such as the start of formal schooling, mark important and exciting events that also evoke different reactions from children and their families. The diverse experiences, traits, and needs exhibited by young children provide early childhood educators with what may be a potentially challenging role. With an international focus, the purpose of Transitions to Early Care and Education: International Perspectives on Making Schools Ready for Young Children is to communicate an enlarged view of the transition process in order to appreciate and honor the promise and potential of all children worldwide. Contributing to this volume are a group of distinguished researchers, practitioners, and educators in the field of early childhood education. Their collective expertise is shared with those who are committed to educating and caring for young children and the families they serve.