Practical Applications of Research in Education: (v. 33 Topic S.)

"Topic" keeps teachers, student teachers and administrators up to date with the latest research into all aspects of education, focusing on its practical applications. Papers arising out of formal research projects combine with case studies of small-scale investigations conducted by teachers in their own classrooms to provide a readable source of information and ideas. "Topic" articles can be used both for private study and as a starting point for group discussions, staff meetings and INSET courses. "Topic" is published twice yearly (April and October) by the National Foundation for Educational Research, with the active cooperation of the Scottish Council for Research in Education, the Scottish Executive Education Department and the New Zealand Council for Educational Research.

Table of Contents:
1 Profile Kathy Sylva Education journalist Karen Gold interviews Kathy Sylva about her research interests and influences. 4 Boring botany? Rethinking teaching about plants in schools Dawn Sanders, National Foundation for Educational Research How can educators make plants visible in inspiring ways? Dawn Sanders argues for the importance and relevance of plant science and discusses ways the subject can be made to grab and maintain the attention of students, including using botanical gardens as educational resources. 9 Pupils' views of the curriculum: are you 'in the know'? Pippa Lord, National Foundation for Educational Research For many pupils an engaging curriculum is one that they see as 'fun' and 'interesting'. Pippa Lord explores the findings of recent research in relation to pupils' enjoyment of and engagement with the curriculum. She highlights areas of curriculum content and delivery that teachers may wish to consider in providing an engaging curriculum for their pupils and, particularly, in terms of maintaining their engagement throughout key stages 2-4. 15 Professional development through teacher enquiry Graham Handscomb, Essex LEA and John MacBeath, University of Cambridge Why should teachers engage in and use research? Drawing on their experiences as consultants working in schools, Graham Handscomb and John MacBeath show how the 'research-engaged' school can make an important contribution to self-evaluation, improvement and the professional learning of staff. 23 Teachers' advice to potential new entrants Geoff Taggart, National Foundation for Educational Research How do teachers advise potential new recruits? This article presents findings from a major new survey of 10,000 teachers commissioned by the General Teaching Council in 2004. Teachers were invited to give advice to people considering teaching as a career. 27 The benefits of a forest school experience for children in their early years Sam Massey, Worcestershire LEA What are the benefits of working outside the traditional classroom? Sam Massey reports on the forest school initiative, which originated in Scandinavia and has been rapidly developing in England and Wales. 36 Lessons from inspection reports on primary school attendance Ken Reid, Swansea Institute of Higher Education Improving attendance is a key part of the Government's strategies for raising standards. Ken Reid highlights some of the findings he uncovered from his detailed analysis of Ofsted reports conducted on primary schools in 2003. 42 The employment and deployment of teaching assistants Karen Whitby, National Foundation for Educational Research The role of teaching assistants in schools has been changing in recent years. Four months after the Workforce Agreement was signed, the NFER surveyed 327 schools in England and Wales about the roles and responsibilities of teaching assistants. Karen Whitby outlines the findings of this survey and discusses some of the implications for schools, teachers and teaching assistants. 48 14-19 pathways in Wales: emerging themes Robert Smith and Gareth Jones, National Foundation for Educational Research What are the goals set for education and training policy by the Welsh Assembly Government to address the specific needs of students aged 14 to 19? Robert Smith and Gareth Jones present the results of a review of key literature, which outlines some of the issues that emerged as the policy was developed. 53 Negotiating the transition to secondary school Spotlight Number 89 Catherine Graham and Malcolm Hill How do children cope with this important transition? This article reports the findings of a survey of children nearing the end of primary education and those just beginning their secondary education regarding their experiences of the transition to secondary school. The authors report how well the children coped with the move and their feelings about preparation programmes. 58 Meeting the needs of children from birth to three: research evidence and implications for out-of-home provision Insight Number 6 Christine Stephen and Aline-Wendy Dunlop in consultation with Colwyn Trevarthen and Helen Marwick Incorporating the findings of 30 years of intensive academic research on the development of communication and thinking in infants and toddlers, this article provides an overview of the ways in which adults can contribute to children's development from the earliest stages, the kinds of adult attention and care that are beneficial and the characteristics of out-of-home provision that meets young children's changing needs. 66 Environmental education: roots in the past, visions of the future, opportunities in the present Rachel Bolstad From set: research information for teachers no.3, 2003 While some subjects, such as ICT, have been accepted wholesale by schools, other areas, such as values education, integrated curriculum studies, and environmental education, have found a niche in fewer schools. Rachel Bolstad draws on a recent review of New Zealand and international literature on environmental education to examine the origin and evolution of environmental education (or learning for a sustainable future). Bonus item Teaching assistants poster This poster accompanies the article on teaching assistants and is ideal for posting on your notice-board for teaching assistants. Issue 34 will contain: * First article in the new Topic Tool-kit series: how to plan your research project * Annual survey of trends in primary schools digest * Annual survey of trends in secondary schools digest * Further details of the forthcoming Topic conference * Retrospective look at 15 years of Topic