eric.ed.gov har udgivet: With today’s computer and telecommunications technologies, every young person can have a quality education regardless of his or her place of birth. This is the dream that Open Educational Resources (OERs), when viewed as a right rather than a privilege, are directed to realize. For developing countries, we propose a type of OER initiative that leverages not only technology but also the skills of the in-class teacher, that utilizes not only the Internet but also lower-tech delivery platforms, and that is created not only by developed countries of the West but also by educators in many countries worldwide. We outline the design of a cross-border, collaborative learning and teaching system called the Blended Learning Open Source Science or Math Studies Initiative (BLOSSOMS), with an associated partnership network… Continue Reading →
Like this:
Like Loading...
eric.ed.gov har udgivet: In low-income countries, private schools are perceived as superior alternatives to the public sector, often improving achievement at a fraction of the cost. It is unclear whether private schools are as effective in middle-income countries where the public sector has relatively more resources. To address this gap, this paper takes advantage of lottery-based admissions in first grade for a Mexico City private school that targets and subsidizes attendance for low-income children. Over three years, selected students via lottery scored 0.21 standard deviation higher than those not selected in literacy tests, corresponding to a normalized gain of one-half of a grade level every two years. Lottery winners also statistically outperformed those not selected in math, but the gains were more modest. Relative to the control group, parents of… Continue Reading →
Like this:
Like Loading...
eric.ed.gov har udgivet: While the idea of teacher performance-pay is increasingly making its way into policy, the evidence on the effectiveness of such programs is both limited and mixed. The central questions in the literature on teacher performance pay to date have been whether teacher performance pay based on test scores can improve student achievement, and whether there are negative consequences of teacher incentives based on student test scores? The literature on both of these questions highlight the importance of not just evaluating teacher incentive programs that are designed by administrators, but of using economic theory to design systems of teacher performance pay that are likely to induce higher effort from teachers towards improving human capital and less likely to be susceptible to gaming. Also, while there is a growing… Continue Reading →
Like this:
Like Loading...
eric.ed.gov har udgivet: Rigorous evidence from around the world has shown that significant improvements in learning can be obtained at comparatively low cost by spending more, focused time ensuring that the bottom half of the class in the early grades does not get left behind. The authors present results from the Teacher Community Assistant Initiative (TCAI) that tests the provision of remedial education as one possible solution to low learning levels in school. The theory of change of this program is simple: primary schools across the developing world fail to equip pupils with basic literacy and numeracy skills, often because schools are not able to target teaching to the actual learning levels of pupils. TCAI data collection included a baseline, 6 rolling midlines and 2 endline surveys. Preliminary results from… Continue Reading →
Like this:
Like Loading...
eric.ed.gov har udgivet: Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths education (STEM Education) is presented as a way to reduce marginalisation and promote inclusion in developing countries. This qualitative study aims to identify ways of reducing marginality and promoting inclusion through dialogic and transformative learning by high school teachers of the New Harvest School (NHS), particularly in STEM Education. Method: The study was carried out within the framework of the critical social approach identifying four characteristics of dialogism. The data comprised ethnographic observations of classes, and interviews with the selected teachers, the vice-chancellor and the administrator of the institution. Results: The dialogic characteristics of sequentiality, positioning, historicity and plurality were found in the science classes taught by the institution. Teachers have curricular knowledge capabilities regarding STEM education; however, recommendations were presented regarding… Continue Reading →
Like this:
Like Loading...
eric.ed.gov har udgivet: A wealth of research, primarily in high income countries, has accumulated in recent years evaluating teacher effectiveness and the processes through which teachers’ performance and job satisfaction can be improved (e.g., Pianta, Mashburn, Downer, Hamre & Justice, 2008; Ross, 1992; 1995). Much less is known about how these processes operate for teachers in low-income countries, where schools may be located in high conflict areas with low resources that can pose strains on teachers, students and their interactions. In the past several years, there has been a growing interest in rigorous evaluation research in developing countries to help inform policy and practice. This paper applies rigorous methodology to consider the question of whether and how an intervention can improve teachers’ motivation, job satisfaction and professional development in the… Continue Reading →
Like this:
Like Loading...
eric.ed.gov har udgivet: Education is in crisis worldwide. Millions of children, especially the most marginalized, are excluded from school. Many millions more attend school, but they do not learn basic reading and math skills. In addition, international funding for education is on the decline. “The Investment Case for Education and Equity” explains the global education crisis and outlines solutions. It establishes three essential ingredients to revive progress in increasing the number of children who can go to school and learn: more funding for education, an equitable approach to resource allocation and more efficient spending on quality education. The report is divided into four chapters. Chapter 1 examines the wide-reaching impact of education, economically and socially. One key message is that not all education levels are equally important–both from an equity… Continue Reading →
Like this:
Like Loading...
eric.ed.gov har udgivet: The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) works in more than 50 developing countries to ensure that children have access to a quality education and the skills needed to be productive members of society. USAID invests in global education because they know that the positive effects of education are far-reaching – that it serves as a driver for all other development and for the reduction of extreme poverty. USAID’s education work focuses on improving the reading skills of children; strengthening youth workforce development and higher education; and expanding access to quality education in crisis and conflict environments. USAID partners to leverage resources and expertise, strengthen education systems and drive change so that children and youth can learn. The United States has historically championed efforts to improve… Continue Reading →
Like this:
Like Loading...