The effects of co-operative learning on junior high school students during small group learning
This is a DfES (TRIPS) digest of an article about an Australian study of fourteen year old students working in groups on problem-solving activities in mathematics. Students worked in either structured groups where they were taught how to communicate and co-operate or unstructured groups without such instruction. It suggests that the benefits of teaching such skills apply to both learning and the development of social skills.
Untangling dimensions of middle school students’ beliefs about scientific knowledge and science le
This is a DfES TRIPS digest of a study, carried out in the United States, focussed on finding out whether students’ beliefs about science influence their learning in the subject. The digest is included on the theme of science within the Research Informed Practice Site on the DfES Standards Site.
Factors Affecting Teachers' Decisions to Leave the Profession
This report is based on a study commissioned by the DfES in November 2001, carried out by the Centre for Education and Employment at Liverpool University.
Interplay: Play, learning and ICT in pre-school education
This resource is a website relating to a project that is part of the Teaching and Learning Research Programme (TLRP). It is a major Government Funded research programme incorporating a number of different research projects. This particular project is part of Phase II of the larger ‘InterActive Education: Teaching and Learning in the Information Age’ project. The focus of this study is to look at the educational values of the encounters of very young children with ICT. The project has been ru
Secondary School mathematics
This is a substantial review aimed at introducing readers to a report by a respected researcher of the findings from a large, longitudinal case study of two secondary mathematics departments.
Models of research impact: a cross-sector review of literature and practice
This national study forms part of the series, Building Effective Research, edited by Andrew Murray and published by the Learning and Skills Research Centre (LSRC). This was commissioned as part of its strategy to enhance the impact of research within the post-16 (or learning and skills) sector, and was conducted by the LSRC plus a consortium of three universities: Leeds Metropolitan, St Andrew’s and Queen Mary’s, London.
1.1.2 Key Resources
This unit will help you to identify and use information in Science and Nature, whether for your work, study or personal purposes. Experiment with some of the key resources in this subject area, and learn about the skills which will enable you to plan searches for information, so you can find what you are looking for more easily. Discover the meaning of information quality, and learn how to evaluate the information you come across. You will also be introduced to the many different ways of organis
How do young people make choices at 14 and 16?
This DfES commissioned study by the NFER explores how young people make decisions about their personalised pathways, and the ways in which structural contexts and individual attributes interact before and during the process. The research consisted of in-depth interviews with 165 young people in Years 9 and 11 (and most of these again in Years 10 and 12) across fourteen schools between February 2005 and February 2006.
Handwriting policy and practice in English primary schools: An exploratory study
The aim of the study was to survey the handwriting policies and practice in English primary schools. Questionnaires, sent to a sample of 140 schools, were completed September-December 2000. The findings indicate that many teachers felt ill-prepared to teach handwriting.
Starting ages Sweden
Starting ages Sweden Can you help? I want to compare the pros and cons of starting ages for children with a comparative study looking at Sweden. I am finding research figures quite difficult to find.
Play Primary
Play Primary I am about to carry out a literature review on the benefits of play and more specifically why play is not as widely used in key stage 1 and 2. I have found plenty of research on applying play but less on why. I was wondering if you could help me broaden and specify my study. Thank you.
Autism Primary
Autism Primary I am researching the provisions made for children with autism within the primary school as my independent study, and am finding it hard to get any useful information that is not a website. Journals and government documents would be ideal. there is not specific subject and the key stage is from one to key stage two.
Design and technology
Design and technology Can you help? I have to write a personal rationale that sets out a coherent philosophy for the learning and teaching of design and technology (textiles and food) in the secondary school. I must refer to the work of prominent and recent D&T (food and textiles) educators and practitioners, and was hoping you could recommend a good place to start.
Science Children's attitudes
Science Children's attitudes I am starting a research study on children's attitudes towards science at primary school. I will be looking for information on Key Stages 1 and 2. Does gender, age, parents, types of science being learnt have an affect on their attitudes? Your help on finding some websites or journal articles would be much appreciated. Thank you.
Study support Attainment
Study support Attainment I am currently looking into whether or not school clubs/study support raise attainment in schools. I have searched the TTRB site, but have found nothing relating to this topic. I have found a couple of articles on the TES, Guardian and BBC websties, but no references to formal journal articles, books or documents, which would back up my thinking. I am looking specifically at KS3 and KS4. I will be focusing on sport and the performing arts.
Modern languages Primary
I am looking into Modern Foreign languages and am looking at the issues surrounding starting to teach it at primary level, or should we wait until secondary level until we start teaching them. I am looking at in detail, brain development, teacher expertise, policies and looking at a comparison between how the French and German teach their children, what level they start at, etc. I have found some information on teacher expertise, basically whether primary teachers are capable of teaching MFL. Ho
Creativity Primary
Creativity Primary I'm in my 3rd year of teacher training, specialising in Key Stage 2, and for my independent study I am looking at creativity, focusing on whether a creative approach to the curriculum can enhance children's learning. I have found quite a few books on the topic, but am struggling to find any relevant journal articles. Please help, thank-you.
Pupil Grouping Strategies and Practices at Key Stage 2 and 3: Case Studies of 24 Schools in England
This DfES report is the long-awaited “independent research into current best practice” referred to in the White Paper, Higher Standards, Better Schools for All, which was to be published at the start of 2006. It comprises 24 case studies of 12 primary and 12 secondary schools from across the country. The findings echo those of previous research with regard to setting, although they suggest positive ways forward through flexible ‘within-class’ grouping according to varying criteria (e.g.
Mixed years
Mixed years I am a Scitt student doing a child study. I am interested in how mixed year classes affect children's learning, specifically Key Stage 2 year 3/4.
Geography Field work
Geography Field work I'm thinking about my extended study topic. I think I'd like to look at doing GCSE field work in geography and safety. There doesn't seem to be anything on the site about it.
