The research aims to determine whether and to what extent teacher education curricula in Croatia are gender sensitive and to examine the status of courses dealing with gender-related topics. For this ...purpose, a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the seven teacher education curricula was conducted. The analysis was based on Bernstein’s theory of classification and framing rules, which explains how control and power over knowledge and curriculum are exercised by selecting knowledge (from scientific disciplines) for the curriculum, design rules, and curriculum implementation. The findings indicate that gender-based knowledge is not given high status and significance as a teaching subject. Gender-related topics are included in teacher education curricula by weak framing and classification rules. While there are several advantages to such a curriculum design, weak classification and framing rules can lead to a lack of compliance in education on gender-related topics. A vague structure can interfere with students’ understanding of basic concepts and their interconnectedness. Students can choose courses based on personal interest rather than necessity and importance. Recommendations are made to achieve a higher level of gender sensitivity in teacher education curricula, which would contribute to better preparation of teachers for the education of children on gender equality.
The purpose of the study is to examine the moderating effect of age on gender differences in teachers’ self-efficacy for using information and communication technology (ICT) in teaching as well as ...possible variables underlying this effect. Following Bandura’s conceptualisation of self-efficacy, we defined teachers' self-efficacy as their confidence in performing specific tasks that require the integration of ICT into the teaching practice. The study was conducted via an online questionnaire on a sample of 6613 elementary and upper secondary school teachers in Croatia. The hierarchical multiple regression analysis was applied. The findings indicate minor gender differences in self-efficacy for using ICT that are more prominent among older teachers and practically non-existent among younger teachers. These effects remain statistically significant after controlling for the type of school where the teacher works, perceived technical and professional support for using ICT in school, and frequency of use of computer programmes in teaching. The interaction effect ceases to be statistically significant after the introduction of length of computer use in teaching and/or attitudes towards computers in the model, indicating that these two variables have a role in low self-efficacy for using ICT among older female teachers. A similar level of self-efficacy for using ICT among young male and female teachers is an encouraging finding which could hopefully be followed by gender equality in other aspects of ICT use. The findings suggest that strategies for enhancing ICT self-efficacy should be particularly targeted at older female teachers. This study contributes to a better understanding of the underresearched topic of gender differences in teacher’s ICT self-efficacy.
The influence of social capital on an individual's educational achievements is the subject of numerous scientific papers. Research on social capital is most frequently based on Coleman's (1988) or ...Bourdieu's (1986) theories of capital, which are related to different paradigms of social theory: whereas Coleman's approach has its roots in structural functionalism, Bourdieu's approach contains elements of conflict theory. A number of authors, starting with Bourdieu, attempt to explain and prove that, when connected with the education of individuals, the activity of social capital facilitates social reproduction. Other authors support the notion that social capital is, in fact, a powerful weapon that encourages social mobility. A third group of researchers emphasise that neither of these approaches in isolation can entirety explain the influences of social capital on an individual's education (Ho, 2003). The present paper offers a review of research focusing on the influences of social capital on educational achievements, while outlining the fundamental differences between the two theoretical approaches that are most frequently used for research of this topic. The aim of the paper is to explain the influence of social capital on an individual's educational achievements under Bourdieu's and Coleman's theoretical concepts, and to establish whether combining the approaches is possible. The conclusion and arguments show that it is legitimate to use all three theoretical approaches. (DIPF/Orig.).
This article provides a panoramic view of research findings on social inequalities in access to higher education in Croatia since the 1960s, guided by the question of what has changed in the ...findings. Our review shows that there is stark continuity over the last five decades: students from better educated family backgrounds tend to be overrepresented in higher education; students from better educated and white-collar family backgrounds are more likely to enrol in academic as opposed to professional study courses; students at one Croatian university in particular stand out in terms of their more privileged social background; and medicine seems to be the prime academic field for observing social reproduction. We note that these persistent findings run parallel to a dramatically changing political, economic and social context in Croatia, including transformations in the 1990s resulting from social ownership of the means of production to widespread private ownership, as well as transformations from a one-party political system to the establishment of a multi-party political system. The article maps possible theoretical explanations for the resilience of social inequalities in access to higher education in the context of dynamic times. It also questions the role of educational policies in this process.
Considering that the disregard in teacher profession seems to be an observed problem in contemporary western societies which can result in a deficit of teachers, it is important to research reasons ...for enrolment into faculties of teacher education, factors which create a resistance towards the teacher education and teaching profession and possible differences between pre-service subject and pre-service class teachers related to these issues. Thus, the purpose of this research was to examine the differences in social background (level of human, financial, and social capital), motivation for selection of program of study and the experience of studying in higher education between pre-service class teachers and pre-service subject teachers. Theoretical background of research was based on Coleman’s theory of social mobility (1988) and the theory of motivation (Watt & Richardson, 2007). A quantitative research design was employed, and the survey was conducted. Sample comprised 455 pre-service (subject and class) teachers studying at the University of Zagreb, Croatia. The results of Welch ANOVA test showed that pre-service subject teachers possess a higher level of financial and human capital, more often are extrinsically motivated in choosing the program of study and have more positive experiences of studying than pre-service class teachers. The results of logistic binary regression showed that participants are more likely to select the subject teaching profession (instead of class teaching profession) if they take into consideration status and financial benefit of their future occupation more frequently, if, on average, they spend more money and if they have more family members who held university degrees. Findings led to the conclusion that programs of study for the education of subject teachers are more prestigious which is not in line with the Coleman’s theory of social mobility (1988) but are closer to the theory of cultural reproduction (Bourdieu, 1986).
U radu su prezentirani rezultati empirijskog istraživanja koje, oslonom na Bourdiea (1977.), ispituje povezanost rodnih, socioekonomskih i sociokulturnih karakteristika učenika/ca s njihovim uspjehom ...iz matematike i izborom srednje škole. Istraživanje je provedeno na uzorku od 693 učenika/ca 8. razreda osnovnih škola u Gradu Zagrebu i Zagrebačkoj županiji.
Rezultati pokazuju da učenice imaju bolje ocjene iz matematike od učenika te da češće nego učenici namjeravaju upisati gimnazije, ali znatno rjeđe strukovne škole sa zastupljenijom matematikom (tehničke škole). Učenici/e višeg ekonomskog i kulturnog statusa postižu bolji uspjeh iz matematike i češće biraju srednje škole sa zastupljenijom nastavom matematike. Bolji uspjeh iz matematike najsnažnije predviđaju rod, obrazovanje roditelja, posjedovanje klasične literature te pristup Internetu. Pri analiziranom odabiru srednje škole, odabir gimnazije je prvenstveno objašnjen kulturnim resursima obitelji učenika/ca, dok je odabir tehničke škole više objašnjen rodom učenika/ce. Dobiveni nalazi o rodnoj i socijalnoj diferencijaciji u skladu su s nalazima istraživanja u drugim zemljama.
The article presents a review of the competence-framed concept of compulsory mathematics education and appropriate instruction methods, in light of the international influences on Croatia through ...comparative ranking in PISA mathematical literacy. We begin by reviewing the conceptual constructs behind social influences on the supra-national development of the literacy/competence concept in mathematics education and assessment, and briefly examine its components and instructional contributions. Within this context we proceed to map past and current, and extrapolate future, changes in the conceptualisation of school mathematics and mathematics teaching in Croatian compulsory education, including recent empirical findings on mathematics instruction in Croatian primary schools. The aim is to examine social and (comparative) political influences on subject-matter and teaching of 'hard' school subjects such as mathematics, chart Croatia's current position according to international assessment and instructional trends, and recommend possible steps in immediate development of educational policy. Adapted from the source document.
The paper examines the dual role of mathematics education in society, on the one hand as an instrument of technological and economic development, and on the other as a mechanism for status ...attainment. Therefore, the authors discuss the role of mathematics education in raising economic competitiveness and productivity, in the (re)production of social inequalities, and its relevance for active citizenship. Drawing on the concepts of human capital and high status knowledge, it is asserted that the economic and status attainment aspects of mathematics education cannot be separated, since the actual (over)accentuation of the economic aspect strengthens the tendency for educational reproduction of social inequalities, which in the end can be economically dysfunctional. The authors emphasise the need for retreat from educational policies focused primarily on individual economic effectiveness conceptualised through abstract holders of human capital towards policies that combine the issue of human resources development with the question of structural inequalities in (mathematics) education and the wider society. PUBLICATION ABSTRACT
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