set 2005: no. 1

We start another year of set: Research Information for Teachers with a group of articles which highlight some of the newer angles of educational research, particularly the parent and student voice.

Specific phonological-based deficits may hinder student’s reading progress. This study found evidence for the presence of these deficits among a sample of older pupils with reading difficulties. Some implications for teaching practices are discussed.

A comprehensive study in 2003 looked at the extent, nature, and effectiveness of identification strategies and educational programmes for gifted and talented students. Key findings are highlighted, further questions raised are discussed, and classroom-based strategies from the international literature are explored.

This action-research project investigated the efficacy of negotiation and power sharing during a physical education unit in an alternative education programme for students at risk. The students preferred enjoyable learning experiences that took place outside the classroom and wished for greater responsibility and ownership for their own learning. Staff and students preferred this approach, despite tensions that arose in the negotiation process. A philosophical and pedagogical shift occurred… Read more

While a wide variety of activities can contribute to students’ experiences of carrying out research, comments from secondary school students involved in the Learning Curves project suggest that many of them may conceptualise the process involving “information retrieval and repackaging”. Their experience may be that research is just another project, for which they are not taught the necessary skills.

How is creativity defined and what are the implications for staff working in early childhood settings? In this article, Caroline Sharp considers evidence from research and theory as it applies to developing young children’s creativity and identifies some common myths about developing young children’s creativity.

How can theatre and education be combined to benefit pupils? In this article, Carey English and Pat Broadhead look at play-based learning and the growth of creativity in young children, as supported by theatre in the classroom and open-ended role-play materials.

The last few years have seen a burgeoning of official interest in educational research as the Ministry of Education espouses evidence-based policy making and teaching. A number of best evidence syntheses have been commissioned and published. These are encouraging trends even if the definition of best evidence is sometimes narrower than some of us would wish. At the same time the research imperative for academics across the country has sharpened following the Tertiary Education Commission’s… Read more

In an exploratory study that raises questions for the future teaching of problem solving, algebra, and context-based problems, Year 12 students were questioned about their thought processes while they attempted to solve selected word problems. Their responses challenged the researchers’ assumptions. Given the emphasis on problem solving in the curriculum, students’ lack of familiarity with methods of tackling problems raises questions.

This article presents results from a national survey on the extent, nature, and effectiveness of planned approaches for identifying and providing for gifted and talented students. Recent national data on gifted education and policy development are combined with practical ideas for identifying and providing for those with mathematical promise.