Education & Pedagogy

The establishment of World-Class Universities (WCUs) is noted as a paramount development in the realm of international higher education. The integration of higher education into a more international scheme has enabled for higher education institutions (HEIs) to have a broader impact on the states and their respective citizens. This study examines the current environment of the higher education system, as well as the important factors that have contributed to placing WCUs at the center of international higher education policies. In particular, this study will analyze the policies and practices of the Republic of Korea that have been created to establish globally competitive HEIs. The Brain Korea 21 Projects, the WCU Project, and global rankings have contributed to the nation's ongoing quest for excellence in tertiary education. As HEIs in Korea continuously enhance their international status in the field of higher education, it becomes increasingly important to review and provide insights on globally competitive institutions as well as higher education reforms that have been applied to Korean universities.

Rural subregions of the developing countries are suffering from many physical and socioeconomic problems, including scarcity of basic education institutions. The shortage of education institutions extended distance between rural localities and education institutions. Hence, to curb this problem, this research is aimed to deal with the basic education institution's shortage, according to available local standards and demographic features. This is an attempt to lower down the distance between the rural population and basic education institutions. Data were collected through interviews, field visits and from the concerned authorities of the study area. The basic education institution's shortage is determined up to the year 2035, which could help in formulating education policy plans. It is expected that local people's accessibility towards rural education institutions can be increased, which may put a positive impact on the declining literacy rate of a rural population.

Following the 1952 revolution, the Egyptian higher education system grew rapidly, with post-secondary institutes complementing the expanding university system. Private post-secondary institutes were permitted from 1970; in the early 1990s financial constraints and pressures for cost recovery prompted legislation allowing private universities. In the face of expansion, diversification, and partial privatization, concerns have arisen about equity in higher education opportunities. The 2014 Survey of Young People in Egypt is used to examine correlates of higher education track placement and of sector placement within tracks. We produce secondary score and wealth profiles of students in selected fields, specific for track and sector. Analysis shows who studies where and suggests reasons why. Attending a particular track and sector in higher education is driven: (1) primarily by scores on the secondary school leaving exam; and (2) secondarily by the ability to pay for private higher education. [Note: The year shown on the PDF (2019) is incorrect. The correct year is 2020.]

In December 2015 the Australian state and territory governments endorsed the 'National STEM School Education Strategy 2016-2026'. Since then, the individual jurisdictions have released their own STEM education strategies that aim to improve student STEM capabilities and aspirations. This paper analyses the various Australian STEM education strategies in relation to six themes informed by research into effective STEM education: STEM capabilities; STEM dispositions; STEM educational practices; Equity; Trajectories; and Educator capacities. The analysis shows that Australia's STEM education strategies focus on actions aimed at building student STEM capabilities, particularly through inquiry and problem-based lTearning, and enhancing educator capacity. The strategies recognise student STEM learning trajectories and pay particular attention to the importance of early childhood STEM education, as well as the ways in which students' potential career pathways might be influenced. However, less emphasis is placed on supporting key transitions in STEM education, developing student STEM dispositions, and addressing equity issues in STEM.

In this article we present results from research on how education environments may influence the propensity of education participants to engage in corrupt practices. We approached this task with the help of a conceptual framework that draws on rational choice and routine activity theory, and on economic models of human behaviour. The framework guided a collection of evidence through desk research, numerous interviews and focus groups on behalf of authorities and civil society in five countries (Armenia, Kazakhstan, Serbia, Tunisia, Ukraine). Our findings suggest that circumstances in education influence problematic conduct in two major ways -- by opening opportunities for the abuse of regular processes in education, and by providing education participants with incentives to engage in it. This contribution offers some insights concerning the incentives of education participants to participate in corruption and discusses why research on corruption can be a valuable source of guidance for systemic improvement in education.

The purpose of this study was to describe pre-service teachers' practicum experiences of teaching physical education to PreK children. A total of 15 pre-service teachers (male = 10, female = 5) in a physical education teacher education program participated in the study. This study used an explanatory case study design and was situated by occupational socialization theory. Data were collected from pre- and post-practicum journals, which included a pre-and post-confidence five-point Likert scale, and eight during-practicum journals. Three themes emerged from the data analyses: (a) improved confidence levels of teaching PreK physical education through the practicum, (b) the non-linear nature of improvement to utilize basic pedagogical skills, and (c) strengthened beliefs toward PreK physical education and being physical educators in general. In conclusion, successful practicum experiences are impactful for professional socialization of pre-service teachers to teach not only PreK physical education, but also physical education in general.

In an era of teacher quality reforms, one overlooked area for assessing readiness for teaching is education majors' self-efficacy for teaching reading. This gap is unfortunate, as teaching reading is a common responsibility among general and special education teachers. In the current push for RTI--one in which more general education teachers are increasingly called upon to provide reading support to students with learning disabilities, in addition to the support received from special educators--it is important to determine preservice teachers' self-efficacy for teaching reading. Self-efficacy is an important construct to consider as it is related to eventual teacher attrition. The purpose of the current study was to develop a scale to measure elementary and special education majors' self-efficacy for teaching reading. With a sample of 110 education majors, a three-factor scale was developed and demonstrated strong psychometric properties. Implications for the future of teacher education programs are discussed.

Purpose: In line with a recent call for side effects research in education, this article aims to synthesize the major concerns that have been raised in the literature concerning large-scale assessments (LSAs) in education. Design/Approach/Methods: The researchers endeavored to complete a deep review of the literature on LSAs to synthesize the reported side effects. The review was synthesized thematically to understand and report the consequences of the ongoing push for the use of LSA in education. Findings: Thematic analysis indicated overarching side effects of LSA in education. We discuss why negative side effects exist and present evidence of the most commonly observed side effects of LSA in education, including distorting education, exacerbating inequity and injustice, demoralization of professionals, ethical corruption, and stifling of innovation in education. Originality/Value: While concerns about the use and misuse of LSA in education are not new and have been discussed widely in the literature, rarely have they been discussed as inherent qualities and consequences of LSAs that can do harm to education.

Recognising the broader role and impact of engineering in contemporary society makes it necessary to rethink engineering education to strengthen its purpose of service to humanity and to the common good. From this perspective, future engineers need a more comprehensive education that is not only bound to the technical area but also incorporates critical reflection and ethical education. With the objective of facilitating the process of rethinking engineering education, the present study analyses the official mission of Portuguese higher education institutions offering engineering courses to identify current engineering education conceptions and the importance attached in them to the service to humanity view. The results reveal that the dominant conception is centred on the economic view of engineering and of the engineer. These results reinforce the need to build a new perspective that strengthens the role of engineering as a service to humanity, social justice and the common good.

Prison education is seen in both criminal and education policies as a way of assimilating inmates 'back into society'. In spite of the policy emphasis on education, the practices in prison education vary from prison to prison. The stated aim of prison education in EU and in Finnish national level policies is to teach inmates the skills and knowledge that they can use in life after release and thus reduce recidivism. In this paper, we analyse policies and practices related to education programmes in closed prisons in Finland with discourses of employability and therapisation of education. International and national policy documents and ethnographic data and interviews with young people and teachers have been use as data sources. Our aim is to draw a picture of multiple and complex power relations that shape the young adults in prison as flexible subjects that are able to make the transition from prison 'back' to civil society.

Special education teacher preparation programs must ensure that their program requirements sufficiently prepare preservice teachers to become high-quality special education teachers. The purpose of the present study was to address a void in available literature by examining the challenges that special education teacher educators encounter while preparing future special education teaching professionals. A survey research design was utilized to ascertain the viewpoints of special education teacher educators concerning the preparation of preservice teachers. Data were collected among 46 special education teacher educators who were affiliated with university-based special education teacher preparation programs in a state located in the Southern United States. Relevant data were analyzed with three levels of coding and constant comparisons, which generated six categories. Findings for each category were reported, along with implications for internal and external preparation program stakeholders. Limitations with the present study were acknowledged, as well as recommendations for future research studies.

Purpose: This article explores the relationship between governmental policy and the development of higher vocational education in China. Design/Approach/Methods: The article begins with a textual analysis of dozens of policy documents on higher vocational education issued by the Chinese government since 1999. Findings: The article argues that the development of higher vocational education in China has been largely policy-driven. This development can be divided into four stages: scale development, quality improvement, capacity building, and systemwide enhancement. The transition between each of these developmental stages was marked by new policy initiatives undertaken by the Chinese government. Originality/Value: The government's recent efforts to expand higher vocational education enrollment by one million students have significant implications for China's higher vocational education. Additionally, the proposed "1 + X" model--which attaches equal importance to academic education and skill training--may represent the beginning of a new stage in the development of higher vocational education in China.

Physical education teacher education (PETE) programs are responsible for the development and preparation of future physical education teachers and, at the K-12 level, physical education is an essential part of a curriculum that promotes the whole child. PETE programs in colleges and universities are therefore critical to the future of K-12 physical education programs, because it is the PETE program and faculty who will prepare the next generation of physical educators in the United States. Quality physical education programs benefit students both academically and physically; K-12 students who are healthy and active are better prepared to learn and grow. Physical education programs must provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to participate in a lifetime of physical activity and healthy habits. Quality PETE programs graduate certified physical educators who are equipped to be successful in schools and who understand the value of creating a culture of health and wellness within the school setting.

This paper presents findings from a research project which aimed to rank Australian higher education institutions on their 'equity performance'; that is, the extent to which they were accessible for, supportive of and benefiting students traditionally under-represented in higher education. The study comprised a conceptual consideration of how higher education equity might be defined and empirically measured, drawing on extant scholarly research as well as observations from key stakeholders, including equity practitioners, researchers, policymakers and higher education executives and institutional planners. Based on these findings, a theoretical framework for higher education equity performance was constructed, and performance indicators identified and subjected to systematic assessment for real-world application. The ensuing ranking system was populated with institutional data from the 37 public universities in Australia. The findings from this analysis indicate that a ranking system may not be the optimal method for assessing higher education equity performance and highlights the subjective nature of both higher education equity and higher education ranking systems.

Inclusive education has become a global area of study, yet research has highlighted challenges with inclusive practices among teachers in integrated physical education contexts. The purpose of this study was to examine physical education and adapted physical education teachers' perspectives on how they attempt inclusive practice in integrated physical education. Using a qualitative description design, 78 teachers (30 physical education, 48 adapted physical education) responded to an open-ended survey item related to their inclusive practice. While the teachers believed that they did the best they could with their inclusive practices, which often relied on collaborative efforts to meet students' needs, they highlighted challenges of inadequate support, unqualified staff, and integrating students with severe disabilities. To mitigate these challenges, teacher education can better prepare preservice PE and APE teachers to navigate the sociopolitics of working in public schools and to collaborate effectively with other personnel to meet the needs of students.