School Project Research Articles

Skills and competences of sexuality educators. Evidences from a qualitative research in Italy

Abstract Background The scientific literature recognizes the strategic role of educators in sexuality education projects in schools. If, however, there is often a discussion about the most effective professional figure (teachers, school experts or external experts), there is a little attention to the skills and competences that an educator should possess and to which he or she must be trained. Adopting a Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) approach, which is evaluated as the most effective, it is necessary to consider a skill set for educators that should not be limited to the knowledge in the area of sexual health promotion and risk prevention. Methods In order to build evidence-based competencies and skills, a qualitative study was conducted. A total of 72 educators involved in school-based CSE interventions in 4 Italian Regions, in 24 middle and secondary schools (68 classes), during 2 consecutive school years were enrolled. Before, during, and after the activities in the classrooms, qualitative feedback was collected, through reflective journals written by educators themselves. These data were analyzed through a qualitative approach, according to the principles of empirical phenomenology. Results The phenomenological evidences confirm the need to overcome the conception of educator as instructor equipped only with knowledge in the field of sexual health. It is considered fundamental to possess and develop pedagogical competences and skills, such as: caring attitude, teaching skills, theoretical awareness, capacity to manage the unexpected. Moreover, educators reported the necessity of an initial and continuous training on these dimensions considered as the most challenging. Conclusions The research confirms the complexity of the competency profile of CSE educators. Therefore, their professional development should include tailored designed multi-disciplinary training programs, with particular attention to the pedagogical dimension. Key messages • Comprehensive sexuality education requires an adequate professional figure intended not as an instructor aimed only at risk prevention and health promotion, but as a real caring educator. • Pedagogical skills and competences should be included in the training processes for sex educator, through adequate activities.

The affordances of plurilingual speaking games for recognizing, using, and developing plurilingual competences of children and pre-service teachers

ABSTRACT Games have long been a common activity integrated by teachers in many language learning classrooms worldwide. The change in focus from the “four skills” of speaking, listening, writing, and reading to “four modes of communication”: “reception,” “interaction,” “production,” and “mediation” in the Common European Framework Companion (2018) means that teachers need to incorporate Mediation language activities, such as translation or interpretation, that fit with this shift. This study explores the perceived affordances of playing plurilingual, speaking games for children and pre-service teachers (PSTs) in a joint university-primary school project in Spain. The project aimed to support the development of plurilingual and intercultural competence of 21 pre-service teachers and 23 children. Using a case study approach, incorporating thematic analysis, teachers’ written reflections are analyzed. Findings highlight that the games afforded the learning of languages using and awareness of languages; making children’s multiple languages “visible”; boosting enjoyment, collaboration, motivation, and risk-taking which facilitated a change in children’s social roles to “teacher.” Affordances for pre-service teachers included developing pedagogical know-how for working in a multilingual classroom and awareness of children’s linguistic repertoires. Considerations for game design and research are presented.

Supporting inclusion in teaching and learning STEM subjects within the DISCO+ project

Aim. The objectives of DISCO+ (Dropout and Inclusion at SChOol) project are two- fold: to implement an inclusive approach and prevent early school leaving in STEM sub- jects. The participating partner institutions apply cooperative engineering to develop units in mathematics and science subjects that can be implemented in different European educational contexts to meet the project objectives. Within the project (WP2) 16 transna- tional groups of pre- and in- service teachers take part in an eTwinning digital training sessions on the notion of school inclusion in Europe, the implementation of the principle of equality between girls and boys, the development of the critical thinking in learning scientific disciplines. Small group discussions refine each participant’s understanding of the issues involved, and the work carried out makes it possible to go beyond the local character of the definitions and to reach a common and shared understanding of the intercultural nuances present in each country. These exchanges will help build links be- tween participants and create a network of European colleagues. The groups’ experience books will serve as a basis for posters, which will be presented in June 2024. These pres- entations can be filmed and contribute to a 5-hour MOOC, which will be developed at a later phase in the project. Methods. By adopting a methodology which includes collectively designing teach- ing-learning sequences in transnational context, the project applies transnational engi- neering. Each partner involved in the creation of one or more teaching-learning sequenc- es must question the conditions of transferability of its point of view, its analyses and its testimonies in different educational contexts. In other words, the intercultural component of sequences designed jointly by partners from different countries should be ensured by addressing socially relevant issues and enriching their treatment with a variety of cul- tural viewpoints. The design of sequences on a transnational scale from this intercultural perspective will also make it possible to deal with the language issue in subjects such as mathematics and science. This methodology intends to develop a common culture on key issues such as sustainable development, inclusion and gender equality and to contribute to the creation of a European citizenship. Results. The activities will result in several deliverables, which include a round ta- ble, dedicated to the notion of school inclusion on a European scale, a four-month long eTwinning digital training in 16 transnational groups (teacher trainees, practioners) dis- cussing and exchanging ideas on inclusion in European education systems, teaching Sci- ence subjects, equality of girls and boys and developing critical thinking. Group experi- ence notebooks will be published as the result of exchanges between students, and will be dissemminated through the realisation of a poster session allowing the mutualisation of the work of the different working (16 transnational) groups. During the implementa- tion of „cooperative engineering” around inclusion and STEM teaching approaches by deconstructing representations of these objects to identify European variables and in- variants, an „online serious game”, and an accompanying guide is to be developed. The production of at least 4 teaching units (one per transnational team), two of which will be in mathematics and two in earth sciences (at least one unit is taught in the mother tongue and another in a CLIL approach) will be filmed and analysed by each “cooperative en- gineering” group on the eTwinning platform. Several activities will be used to produce resources, which in turn will be scripted into am5-hour MOOC training module to be made available on the platform already developed as part of the DICO+ project. Conclusions. In conclusion, the structure of the DISCO+ project will enable it to ad- dress the entire educational community in each country, including pupils, teachers, fu- ture teachers, trainers of trainers and inspectors.

The Strategies for Involving Community in Sustaining Government-Funded School Projects in Morogoro Region

The main objective of the study reported in this study was to determine the strategies for involving community in sustaining government-funded school projects in Morogoro region. The study used case study research design to determine the strategies from a total sample of 23 comprising of 10 headmasters, 1 ward councillor, 2 Ward educational officers and 10 school board chairmen who were selected using interviews (Semi-structured Interview) and documentary review were technique. Both interviws guide and open ended questionnare were used for collecting qualitative data which were then analzyed using thematic approach which allowed identification of key themes and patterns that emerged from the participants' perspectives on the community engagement strategies. Findings have revealed that community involvement in government- funded school projects is critically low in Morogoro region despite the recognized importance of community engagement in enhancing educational outcomes and project sustainability. It is therefore suggested that the formed project committee members should play a vital role in enhancing community ownership, fostering buy- in, and ultimately contributing to the successful achievement of project objectives.

Catholic school identity or Catholic school identities: a necessary journey

In the context of present epochal change, growing secularisation and marketisation have a detrimental effect on specific values and a social consensus, causing these to gradually lose their validity. Catholic-school principals are extraordinarily pressured by dilemmas regarding the Catholicity of their school projects. In accordance with Ricoeur's notion of narrative identity that distinguishes what remains – Identity as Idem and what changes with the passing of time – Identity as Ipse, our study analyses principals’ perceptions about the identity and mission of Catholic schools in the current secular environment. We acknowledge the significant gap between the principals’ viewpoint and their perception regarding families’ reasons to choose Catholic schools. Finally, we reflect on the necessary journey Catholic schools are called to pursue, in order to avoid a fortress model or, the dilution of their Catholic identity.

Program Evaluation of Pancasila Student Profile Strengthening Project Using the CSE-UCLA Model

The research aims to evaluate the program of the Pancasila student profile strengthening project in elementary schools in Semarang Regency, Indonesia. This research method used the CSE-UCLA evaluation model with a qualitative approach that included the aspects of program assessment, program planning, program implementation, program improvement, and program certification. The data sources came from the school principal/curriculum teachers, classroom teachers, students, and the parents of students at Pangudi Luhur Ambarawa Elementary School and Tlompakan 1 Tuntang Elementary School in Semarang Regency. Data collection was through interviews, document studies, and observations. The data analysis technique used qualitative descriptive methods. The research results showed that in the Assessment program, P5 was implemented in accordance with the vision, mission, and objectives. The theme and project options were chosen based on environmental issues and the needs of the students, and the project was also supported by the parents; Program planning, both schools had goals to be achieved in P5 so that the project ran with a clear direction and purpose; Program implementation, teachers have good strategies in carrying out P5 but improvements were needed in the socialization of the P5 program; Program improvement, there needs to be enhancements in the documentation of monitoring and supervision results; Certification program, the goals of the P5 program were achieved and all parties were satisfied with the existence of the P5 program, which had a positive impact on the students. The P5 program was running well, and all stakeholders were satisfied. However, there was a need for improvement in documentation and communication with students' parents. In addition, it is necessary to broaden project options, support teachers, and encourage them to prioritize character development over tangible results.

Truth-telling about (Teacher) education as settler-colonial project: ‘The past is always with us’

ABSTRACT One of the Editors’ 2022 Challenges to the Field was: What is the story this government wants us to tell our children? What is education for? Continuing this conversation leads to a related question: What can be learnt from reviewing the history of schooling in Australia in this light? I argue here that the nation’s founding discourse of White Australia produced a purposeful project of schooling and teacher education designed to ‘keep rural Australia white’. This also led to the disassociation of rural education and Aboriginal education that remains problematic for rural schools today. As a form of truth-telling from a non-Indigenous perspective, I offer a basis for reflection on the extent to which 21st Century educational practices continue to (re)produce this discourse. Understanding the past – about how the newly federated Australian states century set out to educate their future citizens – is crucial for teacher education aiming for social and environmental justice and change. An anti-colonialist reading of this history of colonial settler schooling might help us understand why the discourse of White Australia (and the systematic regimes of ‘truth’ about our country, its original inhabitants, and its waves of new settler-citizens) has remained so powerful over time.

Integrating Climate Change Education in English Lessons and P5 Projects in Junior High Schools

Integrating Climate Change Education in English Lessons and P5 Projects in Junior High Schools

<span><strong>The effectiveness of implementing learning project on the quadratic function in high school</strong></span>

Project-based learning is one of the modern teaching methods utilizing student group intelligence to perform the learning task designed by the teacher. Through this method, students can acquire knowledge and develop necessary skills in learning such as communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving. This paper aimed to investigate the effectiveness of implementing a learning project on the topic of the quadratic function at high school. A quasi-experimental method was conducted in one month involving two classes of tenth-grade students, consisting of an experiment and a control class (conventional learning). Qualitative and quantitative data were collected through student activity observation sheets, mathematics pre-test and post-test. This study could provide an effect of utilizing project-based learning and opportunities to implement learning projects in high schools.

The LAB school project: a socio-ecological investigation into the intersection between literacy, the arts and wellbeing in a rural early years classroom setting

AbstractThis study examined the piloting of a literacy, arts and wellbeing (LAB) project in a rural school in Queensland, Australia. The research involved a Year 1 class (n = 24) participating in co-designed lessons with their classroom teacher and two visiting researchers from a regional university. These lessons were developed with literacy learning outcomes, arts-based approaches and positive education components in mind. Lesson observations and artefacts were collected to understand the children’s participation and development of the learning objectives. In addition, teacher interviews and researcher reflections provided feedback about the approach’s effectiveness. Data were analysed using an arts-based social engagement model to improve health. Evidence from this case study showed that language and literacy learning outcomes and wellbeing were strongly developed through the LAB approaches. More research is needed to know if a whole school LAB approach would benefit children across other settings.

Teaching for a sustainable future case studies from the green schools project in bulgaria

This article examines the implementation and impact of green education activities in primary schools across Bulgaria, as part of the Green Schools Project, supported by Erasmus+ Programme. Through detailed case studies, the research highlights how seven primary teachers integrated environmental education into their classrooms, fostering ecological awareness and sustainable practices among their students. The activities ranged from recycling projects and nature observation walks to role-playing games that traced the journey of food from seed to consumption. The findings demonstrate significant improvements in students' knowledge of ecological principles, increased motivation and engagement in green topics, and positive behavioral changes towards environmental stewardship. This study underscores the importance of integrating green education into the primary curriculum, providing insights and recommendations for future educational policies and practices aimed at nurturing responsible and proactive environmental citizens.

Tracing neoliberal discourse in school documentation. The analysis of educational projects in Barcelona state schools

An extensive literature has been produced to interpret the transformations that have taken place in education as an expression of the expansion of neoliberal rationality in public policies. This study adopts a mixed method, combining quantitative (text mining) and qualitative approaches (computer-assisted discourse analysis), with the aim of determining/verifying/analysing the permeability of the educational projects of state secondary schools in the city of Barcelona with regard to the neoliberal educational paradigm. Taking into account the occurrence of specific node words (such as work, competition, quality, and company), the results highlight the construction of an educational discourse focused on teaching oriented towards the needs of the new labour market, thus allowing schools to become one of the institutions that contribute to shaping a new type of subject: the flexible, emotionally stable, self-enterprising person who always needs to acquire new skills to increase her ‘human capital’.

Agonistic freedoms: enabling disaffected working-class students to turn-back-around to mainstream school

ABSTRACT The sifting and sorting mechanisms of Australia’s education system continue to work to the detriment of groups put at a disadvantage. For mainstream schools serving working-class communities in particular, the rejection of the offers and advantages of schooling continue to result in differential class consequences and inequalities for working-class young people. In response, this paper pursues a more hopeful project of schooling by considering how schools can work to circumvent the alienation of working-class students from the mainstream secondary school system. Foucault’s conceptualisations of ‘power relations’, ‘agonistic freedom’ and ‘technologies of the self’ are used alongside Kamler and Comber’s notion of ‘turn-around pedagogies’ to draw attention to the complex relationships between students’ subjectivities, their shifting dispositions towards school and eventual enticement to turn-back-around to mainstream school.

Nursing intervention in acute or critically ill patients with thirst: an integrated review

Aim: Analyze the existing nursing interventions and their effectiveness in managing thirst and promoting the person’s comfort. Background: Thirst is a symptom often experienced by people hospitalized in an acute and/or critical situation, but it is still frequently under-evaluated and under-treated in clinical practice, one of the main reasons being the difficulty in assessing thirst when it comes to people with an altered state of consciousness. Methods: To analyze the existing nursing interventions in managing thirst and promoting the person’s comfort, an integrative review was elaborated through electronic databases MEDLINE, CINAHL, PubMed, and other sources from March 2023 to August 2023. The review protocol is registered (PROSPERO CRD42023413584) and this review integrates a Project in a Higher School of Nursing. Results: After assessing eligibility, 16 final documents were obtained for data extraction and analysis. The results obtained show that several effective strategies were identified to thirst relief, such as drinking cold liquids, ingestion of carbohydrate drinks when fasting is really necessary, the use of ice, performing oral hygiene, applying lip moisturizer, using mentholated substances, controlling the ambient temperature, use of salivary stimulants and artificial saliva. Conclusions: This is a sensitive area of nursing care. Thus, a more significant investment in the scope of nursing research and the development of innovative technology that can improve nursing interventions for the management and thirst relief, would be beneficial to improve the quality of the nursing care provided for hospitalized patients in critical care.

Teachers’ Motivation in Enhancing Sustainable Management of School Projects: Case of Secondary Schools in Sumbawanga Municipality, Tanzania

The study on Teachers’ Motivation in Enhancing Sustainable Management of School Projects: Case of Secondary Schools in Sumbawanga Mincipality, Tanzania. The study aimed at examining the ways of teacher’s motivation on the sustainable management of the school projects in secondary schools. Specifically the study was conducted around by two specific objectives which were; firstly was to identify kinds of school projects implemented from 2017 up 2023 in Sumbawanga public secondary schools, and second was to propose ways of motivating teachers to enhance sustainability of school project management. The study based on ground of both research approaches which were qualitative and quantitative approaches. Hierarchy of Needs Theory by Abraham Maslow in 1954 was used to guide the study. The study took place in Rukwa region in Sumbawanga Municipal council. Twelve (12) public secondary schools were involved in the study. The sample size of the study was 234 whereby 12 of the respondents were heads of the school and 222 were ordinary teachers. Data from the respondents were collected using questionnaire, interview and observation. The obtained data were analyzed basing on both quantitative and qualitative information. Quantitative data were analyzed by percentage distribution and presented using table while qualitative data were analyzed by developing categories and subcategories. The findings of the study identified two major aspects that answer the purpose of the study firstly the finding revealed several implemented school projects for the period from 2017-2023 in Sumbawanga municipality; secondly, the findings indicate ways of teachers motivation that are needed to motivate teachers in order teachers to dedicate their effort in managing sustainably the school projects. Basing on the study findings, the study recommended that schools and government should motivate teachers not financially only but, recognition, team working and appreciation can also be used to motivate teachers, so that teachers can manage well the school projects for benefit of the current and future students.

Ghana’s Free Senior High School Policy within the Spectrum of the Focal Points of Curriculum Development

This study performs a meticulous examination of Ghana's Free Senior High School (FSHS) policy, considering the focal points of curriculum development. Ghana has significantly augmented its financial commitment to the educational sector, recognising the pivotal importance of education in sustainable development. Despite this monetary dedication, the government has implemented the FSHS policy to guarantee the extensive availability of high-quality education. The study seeks to thoroughly analyse the policies of curriculum development, assessing its influence on access, fairness, curriculum content, educational excellence, stakeholder engagement, and long-term viability. The research aims to provide detailed insights into the effectiveness of the FSHS policy by thoroughly examining various aspects. It goes beyond just looking at enrollment numbers and evaluates how the policy contributes to a well-rounded educational experience that aligns with both national and global educational goals. The expected results are positioned to offer useful insights for policymakers, educators, and stakeholders, enabling continuous improvements to the Free Senior High School project and the overall educational environment in Ghana.

The Relationship between Teachers Motivation Factors and Sustainable Management of School Projects: A Case Study of Secondary Schools in Sumbawanga Municipality

The study on the relationship between teacher’s motivation factors and sustainable management of school projects based on ground of both research approaches which were qualitative and quantitative approaches. Hierarchy of Needs theory by Abraham Maslow in 1954 was used to guide the study. The study was on examining the role of teacher’s motivation on the sustainable management of the school projects in secondary schools. Specifically the study was conducted around by two specific objectives which were; firstly was to identify teacher’s motivation factors for sustainable management of school and secondly was to identify the relationship between factors for teacher’s motivation and the school sustainable management of the school projects. The study took place in Rukwa region in Sumbawanga Municipal council. Twelve public secondary schools were involved in the study. This study employed a survey research design. The sample size of the study included 234 respondents in which, 12 heads of schools out of 19 and 222 teachers out of 563, in public secondary schools in Sumbawanga Municipality. The sample size of this study was obtained by using purposive random sampling for head of schools and random sampling for teachers Sumbawanga Municipality. Interview, questionnaire and observation methods were used to collect data. The obtained data were analyzed basing on both quantitative and qualitative information. Quantitative data were analyzed by percentage distribution and presented using table while qualitative data were analyzed by developing categories and subcategories. The findings of the study identified two major aspects that answer the purpose of the study firstly the finding revealed teacher’s motivation factors for sustainable management of school project in Sumbawanga municipality; and secondly the findings revealed the existing relationship between teacher’s motivation factors and the sustainable management of the school projects in Sumbawanga municipality. Basing on the study findings, the study recommended that, teacher’s motivation is very important in maintaining teachers working spirits in teaching and managing school projects sustainably.

Student wellbeing in vertical schools: a multilayered student voice approach for inclusion and influence

AbstractVertical schools are a new type of school in Australia, with little research available to guide designers and school leaders how to address the physical and social challenges that density and interiority add to the students’ schooling experience. As students capably communicate their experiences and perspectives about school spaces for wellbeing, pioneering students in three new vertical schools demonstrated the power of student voice in the Thriving in Vertical Schools project, a 3-year mixed-methods Australian Research Council Linkage project. Young people showed adults how their school spaces enable them to be, feel, and do activities where they feel capable, and how the vertical school environment contributes to wellbeing. Students communicated their voice through multiple layers: the student voice processes (methods), stories with sensory atmospheres (experience), and participating in impactful discussions with adults (action/influence). Adult designers and education leaders were interviewed several weeks after listening to students, identifying how student perspectives had influenced their work. This paper demonstrates how the combination of participatory voice-inclusive methods enabled students to communicate immersive experiences that brought light to interactions for school wellbeing at a level of granularity that adults had not had access to before to influence future designs. This paper argues for the value of attending to student voice and sensitivity in providing choice and options when doing so, so that students are supported to express themselves and their rich experiences in ways of their choosing and ways comfortable to them.

Mindfulness-Based Interventions in Schools: Assessing the Evidence Base.

Mindfulness-based interventions are increasingly being used in schools to improve students' mental, emotional, and behavioral development. Although many mindfulness programs exist, the types of programs that are effective for specific age groups remain unclear. In this systematic review, the authors used established rating criteria to describe the level of evidence for school-based mindfulness interventions. A search of major databases, gray literature, and evidence base registries was conducted to identify studies published between 2008 and 2022 that focused on mindfulness interventions within school settings. The authors rated mindfulness interventions as having high, moderate, or low levels of evidence based on the number and rigor of studies with positive outcomes. Of the 24 interventions identified across 41 studies, three interventions-Learning to BREATHE, Mindfulness in School Project, and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR)-received a rating of high level of evidence. Three interventions-Gaia Program, MindUP, and a blended version of MBSR and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy-received a rating of moderate level of evidence. The interventions rated as having a high level of evidence were conducted with middle or high school students, and interventions with moderate evidence were also conducted with elementary students, demonstrating effectiveness of mindfulness across a range of age groups. Few studies examined outcomes for underserved populations. With greater use and more research, mindfulness interventions have the potential to promote student well-being and prevent mental health conditions.

The Astronomy Day in Schools project

Astronomy Day in Schools (ADiS) is a new project to share practices of astronomy education worldwide. The ADiS is unique in that it has quarterly online meetings, and that it focuses on equinoxes and solstices. This paper describes the launch and development of the ADiS.