Education - Journal Articles

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    The reality of reality shock for inclusion: How does teacher attitude, perceived knowledge and self-efficacy in relation to effective inclusion in the classroom change from the pre-service to novice teacher year?
    (Elsevier Ltd., 2020-03-09) Mintz, Joseph; Hick, Peter; Solomon, Yvette; Matziari, Aikaterini; Ó'Murchú, Finn; Hall, Kathy; Cahill, Kevin; Curtin, Catriona; Anders, Jake; Margariti, Despoina; National Council for Special Education, Ireland
    There is little empirical attention in the literature to how beginning teacher perceptions in relation to inclusion change as they progress from the pre-service to novice teacher year. This paper reports on a panel study of a cohort of pre-service teachers in the Republic of Ireland, which tracks their transition to the novice teacher year using a new scale. Analysis of the data indicates that this transition results in a significant drop in attitude, perceived knowledge and self-efficacy in relation to inclusion.
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    Motor competence interventions in children and adolescents - theoretical and atheoretical approaches: A systematic review
    (Taylor & Francis, 2022-12-05) Khodaverdi, Zeinab; O'Brien, Wesley; Duncan, Michael; Clark, Cain C. T.
    This study aimed to compare for the first time the immediate and retention effects of theory-based and atheoretical motor competence (MC) interventions, by conducting a systematic review to determine which intervention approach resulted in the most improvements for motor outcomes. In accordance with PRISMA guidelines, studies were identified from searches across seven databases, for articles relating to theory-based (Achievement Goal Theory, Dynamic Systems Theory, and Social-Cognitive Theory) and atheoretically-derived MC interventions in typically developing children and adolescents. Publication bias was assessed using an adapted form of Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials statement. Of the thirty two included studies, seventeen utilized theory-based intervention approaches. The majority of studies were grounded in Achievement Goal Theory. Also, the majority of MC interventions elicited immediate (short) and/or long-term effects for children and adolescents. Studies varied with regards to intervention components and MC assessment. Many studies scored poorly for risk of bias items. Overall, the levels of success for theoretical and atheoretical intervention programmes were not distinguishable. Findings open up new horizons for motor skills instruction to be taught using developmentally appropriate pedagogy, a research field which has gained significant traction among stakeholders in recent years.
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    Coaches' experience of the "Gaelic4Teens" program in Ireland
    (Human Kinetics, 2022-08-18) O'Brien, Wesley; Hogan, Irene; Coppinger, Tara
    This paper examines Irish volunteer coaches’ experiences of the content and delivery of the “Gaelic4Teens” coach education initiative, and further seeks to evaluate if participants coaching behavior changed as a result. The Gaelic4Teens program aims to help coaches better understand the female teenage participant through enhancing the coach–athlete relationship, which in turn, seeks to help retain young females in the sport. Qualitative data were gathered over a 16-week period from August to November 2020 and comprised of pre and post online focus groups with eight (three females and five males) volunteer coaches; one from each of the eight rural community sport settings (n = 8) in Ireland. Findings revealed that the coach education program had a meaningful impact on coaches’ abilities to competently work with female adolescents. Specifically, the Gaelic4Teens program is effective as a blended learning coach education program that encouraged a coaching environment that empowered the female athletes. Further analysis, with additional stakeholder input, is warranted to ascertain its long-term effectiveness.
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    Intersections of social class and special educational needs in a DEIS post-primary school: school choice and identity
    (Taylor & Francis, 2021-08-25) Cahill, Kevin
    This paper explores how special educational needs (SEN) and social class can become intertwined in post-primary school choice in Ireland. The paper draws on data generated during a three-year ethnographic study of a DEIS school. Data are analysed using Holland et al.’s (1998. Identity and Agency in Cultural Worlds. Boston, MA: Harvard University Press) positional identities, authored selves and figured worlds in order to examine how learner identities and school choice processes can become informed by emergent school cultures being formed and re-formed by neoliberal marketisation of education and how these actions are taken up in the identity work of young people and their families. Soft barriers and their contribution to aspects of school stratification by social class and SEN in this setting are explored. Finally, the paper calls for recognition of the responsibilities of every school to own diversity in their own settings.
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    Making a difference in educational inequality: Reflections from research and practice
    (Taylor & Francis, 2022-06-19) Cahill, Kevin; O'Sullivan, Dan
    This article is a reflective, research-informed, commentary on educational disadvantage from two lecturers in Education who have spent large proportions of their professional lives working in ‘DEIS’ school settings before transitioning into teacher education. This reflection intends to problematise the concept of educational disadvantage and will then proceed to explore, through literature and some empirical findings, possibilities for changing paradigms of policy and practice in marginalised school settings. Most research and writing on educational disadvantage in Ireland has focused upon policy, statistics, and the problems that accompany marginalisation. We intend to explore possibilities for change at the level of policy and practice, considering interventions in terms of curriculum, pedagogy and assessment; and how we can address inequalities in educational experiences. We will explore possibilities around key areas such as: disrupting ‘cultural deficit’ theories and fixed ideas of ability related to educational disadvantage; consider nuanced intersectional understandings of inequalities in education; framing ‘funds of knowledge’ perspectives in curriculum, pedagogy and assessment; and encouraging critical pedagogical approaches amongst teachers. We are hopeful that this article will support teachers in schools, researchers and policy makers as they endeavour to make a difference in their work with marginalised communities.