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Nonlinear Pedagogy and the Athletic Skills Model: The Importance of Play in Supporting Physical Literacy
by Ian Renshaw Keith Davids Daniel Newcombe Will Roberts Jia Yi Chow Geert Savelsbergh James RuddThis book offers an ecological conceptualisation of physical literacy. Re-embracing our ancestry as hunter gatherers we gain a new appreciation and understanding of the importance of play, not only in terms of how children learn, but also in showing us as educators how we can lay the foundations for lifelong physical activity. The concept of physical literacy has been recognised and understood throughout history by different communities across the globe. Today, as governments grapple with the multiple challenges of urban life in the 21st century, we can learn from our forebears how to put play at the centre of children’s learning in order to build a more enduring physically active society. This book examines contemporary pedagogical approaches, such as constraints-led teaching, nonlinear pedagogy and the athletic skills model, which are underpinned by the theoretical framework of Ecological Dynamics. It is suggested that through careful design, these models, aimed at children, as well as young athletes, can (i) encourage play and facilitate physical activity and motor learning in children of different ages, providing them with the foundational skills needed for leading active lives; and (ii), develop young athletes in elite sports programmes in an ethical, enriching and supportive manner. Through this text, scientists, academics and practitioners in the sub-disciplines of motor learning and motor development, physical education, sports pedagogy and physical activity and exercise domains will better understand how to design programmes that encourage play and thereby develop the movement skills, self-regulating capacities, motivation and proficiency of people, so that they can move skilfully, effectively and efficiently while negotiating changes throughout the human lifespan.
Nonlinear Pedagogy and the Athletic Skills Model: The Importance of Play in Supporting Physical Literacy
by Ian Renshaw Keith Davids Daniel Newcombe Will Roberts Jia Yi Chow Geert Savelsbergh James RuddThis book offers an ecological conceptualisation of physical literacy. Re-embracing our ancestry as hunter gatherers we gain a new appreciation and understanding of the importance of play, not only in terms of how children learn, but also in showing us as educators how we can lay the foundations for lifelong physical activity. The concept of physical literacy has been recognised and understood throughout history by different communities across the globe. Today, as governments grapple with the multiple challenges of urban life in the 21st century, we can learn from our forebears how to put play at the centre of children’s learning in order to build a more enduring physically active society. This book examines contemporary pedagogical approaches, such as constraints-led teaching, nonlinear pedagogy and the athletic skills model, which are underpinned by the theoretical framework of Ecological Dynamics. It is suggested that through careful design, these models, aimed at children, as well as young athletes, can (i) encourage play and facilitate physical activity and motor learning in children of different ages, providing them with the foundational skills needed for leading active lives; and (ii), develop young athletes in elite sports programmes in an ethical, enriching and supportive manner. Through this text, scientists, academics and practitioners in the sub-disciplines of motor learning and motor development, physical education, sports pedagogy and physical activity and exercise domains will better understand how to design programmes that encourage play and thereby develop the movement skills, self-regulating capacities, motivation and proficiency of people, so that they can move skilfully, effectively and efficiently while negotiating changes throughout the human lifespan.
Nonlinear Pedagogy in Skill Acquisition: An Introduction
by Ian Renshaw Keith Davids Jia Yi Chow Chris ButtonNonlinear Pedagogy is a powerful paradigm for understanding human movement and for designing effective teaching, coaching and training programmes in sport, exercise and physical education (PE). It addresses the inherent complexity in learning movement skills, viewing the learner, the learning environment and the teacher or coach as a complex interacting system. The constraints of individual practice tasks provide the platform for functional movement behaviours to emerge during practice and performance. The second edition includes new materials, of practical, theoretical and empirical relevance, to enhance understanding of how to implement a Nonlinear Pedagogy to support learning in sport, PE and physical activity. There is updated, in-depth discussion on the various pedagogical principles that support Nonlinear Pedagogy and how these principles are applicable in learning designs in sports and physical education. There is further emphasis on examining how transfer of learning is implicated in practice, highlighting its relevance on skill adaptation and talent development. The first part of the book updates the general theoretical framework to explain processes of skill acquisition and motor learning. This edition draws clearer links between skill acquisition, expertise and talent development, focusing on how specificity and generality of transfer have a role to play in the development of learners. The book defines Nonlinear Pedagogy and outlines its key principles of practice. It offers a thorough and critical appraisal of the functional use of instructional constraints and practice design. It discusses methods for creating challenging and supportive individualised learning environments at developmental, sub-elite and elite levels of performance. The second part focuses on the application of Nonlinear Pedagogy in sports and PE. There is a greater emphasis on helping applied scientists and practitioners understand the impact of Nonlinear Pedagogy on transfer of learning. Every chapter is updated to provide relevant contemporary cases and examples from sport and exercise contexts, providing guidance on practice activities and lessons. Nonlinear Pedagogy in Skill Acquisition is an essential companion for any degree-level course in skill acquisition, motor learning, sport science, sport pedagogy, sports coaching practice, or pedagogy or curriculum design in physical education.
Nonlinear Pedagogy in Skill Acquisition: An Introduction
by Ian Renshaw Keith Davids Jia Yi Chow Chris ButtonNonlinear pedagogy is a powerful paradigm for understanding human movement and for designing effective teaching, coaching and training programs in sport, exercise and physical education. It addresses the inherent complexity in the learning of movement skills, viewing the learner, the learning environment and the teacher or coach as a complex interacting system, with the constraints of individual practice tasks providing the platform for functional movement behaviours to emerge. This is the first book to explain this profoundly important new approach to skill acquisition, introducing key theoretical ideas and best practice for students, teachers and coaches. The first section of the book offers a general theoretical framework to explain processes of skill acquisition and the learning of movement skills. The book then defines nonlinear pedagogy, and outlines its key principles of practice. It offers a thorough and critical appraisal of the optimal use of instructional constraints and practice design, and discusses methods for creating challenging and supportive individualised learning environments at developmental, sub-elite and elite levels of performance. Every chapter contains cases and examples from sport and exercise contexts, providing guidance on practice activities and lessons. Nonlinear Pedagogy in Skill Acquisition is an essential companion for any degree level course in skill acquisition, motor learning, sport science, sport pedagogy, sports coaching practice, or pedagogy or curriculum design in physical education.
Nonlinear Second Order Parabolic Equations
by Mingxin WangThe parabolic partial differential equations model one of the most important processes in the real-world: diffusion. Whether it is the diffusion of energy in space-time, the diffusion of species in ecology, the diffusion of chemicals in biochemical processes, or the diffusion of information in social networks, diffusion processes are ubiquitous and crucial in the physical and natural world as well as our everyday lives. This book is self-contained and covers key topics such as theory and Schauder theory, maximum principle, comparison principle, regularity and uniform estimates, initial-boundary value problems of semilinear parabolic scalar equations and weakly coupled parabolic systems, the upper and lower solutions method, monotone properties and long-time behaviours of solutions, convergence of solutions and stability of equilibrium solutions, global solutions and finite time blowup. It also touches on periodic boundary value problems, free boundary problems, and semigroup theory. The book covers major theories and methods of the field, including topics that are useful but hard to find elsewhere. This book is based on tried and tested teaching materials used at the Harbin Institute of Technology over the past ten years. Special care was taken to make the book suitable for classroom teaching as well as for self-study among graduate students. About the Author: Mingxin Wang is Professor of Mathematics at Harbin Institute of Technology, China. He has published ten monographs and textbooks and 260 papers. He is also a supervisor of 30 PhD students.
Nonnative Speaker English Teachers: Research, Pedagogy, and Professional Growth (ESL & Applied Linguistics Professional Series)
by George BraineAccording to current estimates, about eighty percent of English teachers worldwide are nonnative speakers of the language. The nonnative speaker movement began a decade ago to counter the discrimination faced by these teachers and to champion their causes. As the first single-authored volume on the topic since the birth of the movement, this book fills the need for a coherent account that: traces the origins and growth of the movement summarizes the research that has been conducted highlights the challenges faced by nonnative speaker teachers promotes NNS teachers’ professional growth. No discussion of world Englishes or the spread of English internationally is now complete without reference to the NNS movement. This book celebrates its first decade and charts a direction for its growth and development.
Nonverbal Delivery in Speaking Assessment
by Mingwei PanWith an argument for embedding nonverbal delivery in speaking assessment as a point of departure, this book seeks to validate a proposed rating scale for incorporating nonverbal delivery and other conventional dimensions into speaking assessment with a mixed-methods approach. To illustrate the indispensable role of nonverbal delivery in speaking assessment, the book particularly includes snapshots of test-takers' de facto nonverbal delivery, which allow their respective levels to be investigated in a microscopic manner.
Nonverbal Learning Disabilities in Children
by John M. Davis Jessica BroitmanThis book offers a well-rounded understanding of nonverbal learning disabilities (NVLD) in children, placing it within the context of other developmental disorders, most notably high-functioning autism and Asperger's syndrome.
Nonviolence and Education: Cross-Cultural Pathways (Studies in Curriculum Theory Series)
by Hongyu WangIn current global politics, which positions China as a competitor to American leadership, in-depth understandings of transnational mutual engagement are much needed for cultivating nonviolent relations. Exploring American and Chinese professors’ experiences at the intersection of the individual, society, and history, and weaving the autobiographical and the global, this book furthers understanding of their cross-cultural personal awareness and educational work at universities in both countries. While focusing on life histories, it also draws on both American and Chinese intellectual traditions such as American nonviolence activism, Taoism, and Buddhism to formulate a vision of nonviolence in curriculum studies. Centering cross-cultural education and pedagogy about, for, and through nonviolence, this volume contributes to internationalizing curriculum studies and introduces curriculum theorizing at the level of higher education. Hongyu Wang brings together stories, dialogues, and juxtapositions of cross-cultural pathways and pedagogies in a powerful case for theorizing and performing nonviolence education as visionary work in the internationalization of curriculum studies.
Nonviolence: The Revolutionary Way of Jesus
by Dr. Preston M. SprinkleIn a unique narrative approach, Sprinkle begins by looking at how the story of God as a whole portrays violence and war, drawing conclusions that guide the reader through the rest of the book. With urgency and precision, he navigates hard questions and examines key approaches to violence, driving every answer back to Scripture. Ultimately, Sprinkle challenges the church to "walk in a manner worthy of our calling" and shape our lives on the example of Christ. Nonviolence: The Revolutionary Way of Jesus is biblically rooted, theologically coherent, and prophetically challenging. It is a defining work that will stir discussions for years to come.
Noodlehead Nightmares (Noodleheads #1)
by Tedd Arnold Mitch Weiss Martha HamiltonFrom the author who brought you Fly Guy comes an easy-to-read graphic novel about two very funny brothers—&“great fun for newly independent readers and graphic novel newbies&” (School Library Journal) Mac and Mac, who love pie and hate making their beds, are hollow-headed. "See in here? Nothing! Zippo! Nada!" Mac explains. That&’s why they're so easy to fool—and their clever friend Meatball isn't afraid to take advantage of that fact. Illustrated by Tedd Arnold, whose Fly Guy series is a kid favorite, this graphic novel is perfect for comic fans and reluctant readers, with short, funny chapters following Mac and Mac through ridiculous adventures. Full of wordplay, jokes, and slapstick humor, the Noodlehead series is sure to delight. Based on traditional world folktales and stories of fools, the Noodleheads also encourage critical thinking, inviting kids to use their noodles—spotting the holes in the brothers' grand plans, and anticipating how things will go awry. Source notes from professional storytellers Martha Hamilton and Mitch Weiss provide more information about the traditional stories that inspired Mac and Mac's mishaps, showing how these comic motifs feature in folklore and legends all around the world and offering opportunities for further reading. This easy-to-read series, including the Geisel Honor book Noodleheads See the Future, is an accessible introduction to stories of fools, and a great next read for fans of the Fly Guy books.
Noodleheads Do the Impossible (Noodleheads #6)
by Tedd Arnold Mitch Weiss Martha HamiltonDo you want to be famous? Mac and Mac do. How? By doing the impossible! You'll laugh out loud at the funny adventures in this comic-style book.First they decide to walk around the world. But when Mom says it's too far for them to go, they decide to count the stars. They reach a bazillion when they see that some of the stars have fallen into Mom's washtub.Mac and Mac rescue the fallen stars, but then lose count. They decide to count grains of sand instead.Then . . . while counting grains of sand, they realize THEY'VE WALKED AROUND THE WORLD!!!This sixth book in the Noodleheads graphic novel series is perfect for comic fans and reluctant readers. Short chapters--full of wordplay, jokes, and slapstick humor--follow Mac and Mac through their funny adventures. It is co-written and illustrated by Tedd Arnold, known for his popular Fly Guy series.Based on traditional world folktales and stories of fools, the Noodleheads encourage critical thinking. They invite readers to use their noodles to spot holes in the brothers' grand plans. Source notes by co-authors Martha Hamilton and Mitch Weiss, professional storytellers known as Beauty and the Beast, provide information about the traditional stories that inspired Mac and Mac's mishaps and give suggestions for further reading.This easy-to-read series, including the Geisel Honor book Noodleheads See the Future, is an accessible introduction to stories of fools, and a great next read for fans of the Fly Guy books. A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
Noodleheads Find Something Fishy (Noodleheads #3)
by Tedd Arnold Mitch Weiss Martha HamiltonThe hilarious Noodlehead Brothers Mac and Mac return in this easy-to-read graphic novel by best-selling author-illustrator Tedd Arnold and two award-winning storytellers. Mac and Mac, as gullible as ever, decide that since fish live in schools, they must be smart. The fish in this funny story certainly are smart enough to outwit Mac and Mac--and so is their friend Meatball, who shows them how to get a bigger boat. But there's something fishy about his suggestion. . . Illustrated by Tedd Arnold, whose Fly Guy series is a kid favorite, this graphic novel is perfect for comic fans and reluctant readers, with short, funny chapters following Mac and Mac through ridiculous adventures. Full of wordplay, jokes, and slapstick humor, the Noodlehead series is sure to delight. Based on traditional world folktales and stories of fools, the Noodleheads also encourage critical thinking, inviting kids to use their noodles- spotting the holes in the brothers' grand plans, and anticipating how things will go awry. Source notes from professional storytellers Martha Hamilton and Mitch Weiss provide more information about the traditional stories that inspired Mac and Mac's mishaps, showing how these comic motifs feature in folklore and legends all around the world and offering opportunities for further reading.This easy-to-read series, including the Geisel Honor book Noodleheads See the Future, is an accessible introduction to stories of fools, and a great next read for fans of the Fly Guy books. A Junior Library Guild selection!
Noodleheads Fortress of Doom (Noodleheads #4)
by Tedd Arnold Mitch Weiss Martha HamiltonMac and Mac may be noodles with empty heads, but they have big ideas: building a fortress! This vibrantly colorful graphic novel for easy readers hits the nail on the head with comedy.The Noodlehead brothers are back from the library with a joke book, a fantasy novel, and a dream: to build their very own Fortress of Doom. If they can stop bickering for long enough. And if they can defend it from their wily friend Meatball. Jump right in with this fourth title in an easy-to-read graphic novel series about more than two hollow pastas trying to have fun. Award-winning storytellers Mitch Weiss and Martha Hamilton join Tedd Arnold, author of the Fly Guy series, to create a masterpiece of hilarity. This easy-to-read series, including the Geisel Honor book Noodleheads See the Future, is an accessible introduction to stories of fools, and a great next read for fans of the Fly Guy books.With short, funny chapters full of wordplay, jokes, and slapstick humor, the Noodleheads series is sure to delight. Based on traditional world folktales and stories of fools, the Noodleheads also encourage critical thinking, inviting kids to use their noodles- spotting the holes in the brothers' grand plans, and anticipating how things will go awry.An ILA-CBC Children's Choice!
Noodleheads Lucky Day (Noodleheads #5)
by Tedd Arnold Mitch Weiss Martha HamiltonYou'll laugh out loud when Mac and Mac try to hatch a kitten. . . out of a watermelon. This easy-to-read intro to graphic novels is perfect for "fans of all things goofy" according to School Library Journal.Twin brothers Mac and Mac are soooo lucky. How lucky are they? When they get hit on the head with an acorn, they're lucky that little acorns and not big watermelons grow on trees.When their frenemy Meatball gives them a bag full of bees, they're lucky that Mom has just built a beehive to put them in.And when their watermelon DOESN'T hatch a kitten, they're lucky that there's another way to get a pet.Illustrated by Tedd Arnold, whose Fly Guy series is a kid favorite, this fifth book in the Noodleheads graphic novel series is perfect for comic fans and reluctant readers, with short, funny chapters following Mac and Mac through ridiculous adventures. Full of wordplay, jokes, and slapstick humor, the Noodlehead series is sure to delight.Based on traditional world folktales and stories of fools, the Noodleheads also encourage critical thinking, inviting kids to use their noodles- spotting the holes in the brothers' grand plans, and anticipating how things will go awry. Source notes from professional storytellers Martha Hamilton and Mitch Weiss provide more information about the traditional stories that inspired Mac and Mac's mishaps, showing how these comic motifs feature in folklore and legends all around the world and offering opportunities for further reading.A Junior Library Guild Selection!
Noodleheads See the Future (Noodleheads #2)
by Tedd Arnold Mitch Weiss Martha HamiltonTedd Arnold—the guy who does Fly Guy—and his storyteller friends are bringing folktale tomfoolery into the 21st Century, with this Geisel Honor-winning companion to Noodlehead Nightmares. Although Mac and Mac are as hollow-headed as, well, noodles, they're always coming up with brilliant schemes. For instance, they're absolutely certain Mom will bake them a cake if they gather some firewood for her. But when their friend Meatball offers to trade them a handful of firewood seeds, the gullible brothers can't foresee what will happen next. . . Illustrated by Tedd Arnold, whose Fly Guy series is a kid favorite, this graphic novel is perfect for comic fans and reluctant readers, with short, funny chapters following Mac and Mac through ridiculous adventures. Full of wordplay, jokes, and slapstick humor, the Noodlehead series is sure to delight. Based on traditional world folktales and stories of fools, the Noodleheads also encourage critical thinking, inviting kids to use their noodles– spotting the holes in the brothers' grand plans, and anticipating how things will go awry. Source notes from professional storytellers Martha Hamilton and Mitch Weiss provide more information about the traditional stories that inspired Mac and Mac's mishaps, showing how these comic motifs feature in folklore and legends all around the world and offering opportunities for further reading. This easy-to-read series is an accessible introduction to stories of fools, and a great next read for fans of the Fly Guy books. A Junior Library Guild selection!
Noodleheads Take It Easy (Noodleheads #7)
by Tedd Arnold Mitch Weiss Martha HamiltonTaking it easy is easy peasy, until Mac and Mac give it a try! This colorful graphic novel will have 1st and 2nd grade independent readers laughing out loud at Noodleheads&’ funny adventures.Mac and Mac want to take it easy and eat their favorite pie, but making pie isn&’t as easy as eating it! Or is it? Along the way they their friends and mom give them tricks to make it as easy as…well pie! But the boys&’ shenanigans make things harder than they need to be. Will Mac and Mac get to have their pie and eat it too? This seventh book in the Noodleheads graphic novel series is perfect for comic fans and reluctant readers. Short chapters--full of wordplay, jokes, and slapstick humor--follow Mac and Mac through their funny adventures. It is co-written and illustrated by Tedd Arnold, known for his popular Fly Guy series. Based on traditional world folktales and stories of fools, the Noodleheads encourage critical thinking. They invite readers to use their noodles to spot holes in the brothers' grand plans. Source notes by co-authors Martha Hamilton and Mitch Weiss, professional storytellers known as Beauty and the Beast, provide information about the traditional stories that inspired Mac and Mac's mishaps and give suggestions for further reading. This easy-to-read series, including the Geisel Honor book Noodleheads See the Future, is an accessible introduction to stories of fools, and a great next read for fans of the Fly Guy books. A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
Nora's Ark
by Eileen SpinelliThe weatherman predicted rain.So Nora built an ark.Just like Noah.Well….Not just like Noah. Noah welcomed a host of animals two-by-two. Nora’s passenger list includes two backyard spiders, a pair of battery-operated monkeys, and a couple of unimpressed cats. Nora also employs her little brother, some dusty wooden boxes, and a sizeable dose of contagious imagination in her distinctive re-creation of the timeless story. Charming and inventive, Nora’s big voyage, and its stirring conclusion, provide entertainment and inspiration for readers of all ages.
Nordic Artificial Intelligence Research and Development: Third Symposium of the Norwegian AI Society, NAIS 2019, Trondheim, Norway, May 27–28, 2019, Proceedings (Communications in Computer and Information Science #1056)
by Kerstin Bach Massimiliano RuoccoThis book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the Third Symposium of the Norwegian AI Society, NAIS 2019, held in Trondheim, Norway, in May, 2019. The 11 full papers and 3 short papers were carefully reviewed and selected from 21 submissions. The papers focus on all aspects of: artificial intelligence; machine learning; knowledge representation; robotics; planning and scheduling; natural language processing; computer vision; search algorithms; multi-agent-systems; industrial applications; and philosophical and ethical foundations.
Nordic Childhoods in the Digital Age: Insights into Contemporary Research on Communication, Learning and Education (Perspectives on Education in the Digital Age)
by Ola Erstad Kirsten Drotner Åsa Mäkitalo Kristiina Kumpulainen Anu Kajamaa Sólveig JakobsdóttirThis book adds to the international research literature on contemporary Nordic childhoods in the context of fast evolving technologies. Bringing together researchers from Finland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Iceland, it addresses pressing issues around children’s communication, learning and education in the digital age. The volume sheds light on cultural values, educational policies and conceptions of children and childhood, and child-media relationships inherent in Nordic societies. Chapters investigate both formal education and everyday informal spaces as research sites. The book argues for the importance of understanding local cultures, values and communication practices that make up contemporary digital childhoods and extends current discourses on children’s screen time to bring in new insights about the nature of children’s digital engagement. This book will appeal to researchers, scholars, post graduate students and policy makers in the fields of childhood education, educational technology and communication. It will also be of interest to those studying and teaching in communication studies, learning and educational sciences at a higher level.
Nordic Families, Children and Early Childhood Education (Studies in Childhood and Youth)
by Susanne Garvis Sonja Sheridan Heidi Harju-Luukkainen Pia WilliamsLargely as a result of social policies and cultural factors, the Nordic countries continually score high in lifestyle measures, quality of life and children’s outcomes. This book brings together authors from the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden) to share knowledge and understanding regarding families, children, primary education and children’s leisure time activities. The empirical research and theoretical contributions provide important insights into the ‘Nordic model’ and explore the issues facing Nordic countries. The book reveals that while there are many similarities across the countries, differences also arise. The content of the book is more relevant now than ever, as countries look at better ways to support their populations. Nordic Families, Children and Early Childhood Education will be of interest to students and scholars across a range of disciplines, including Education, Sociology and Social Policy.
Nordic Perspectives on Human Rights Education: Research and Practice for Social Justice
by Audrey OslerBacked by a range of case studies and recent developments in human rights education research, Nordic Perspectives on Human Rights Education guides readers through an analysis of educational inequities and identifies how internationally agreed-upon human rights standards may inform social justice practices within schools.In an age characterised by authoritarianism and extremism, but also social and climate justice movements, this book provides a critical analysis of current practice within schools. Contributing authors also discuss how a human rights framework may improve practice, supporting intersectional thinking and more sustainable learning environments, while also empowering teachers to confidently navigate issues of gender, national identity and minority rights.Divided into three distinct sections, chapters invite readers to consider: The context behind human rights education (HRE) Rights-based approaches to teaching and education International dialogue and how we may learn from the approaches of other countries. Drawing on research from the Nordic region, and discussing its implications elsewhere, this volume is an essential resource for scholars developing theory and practice in human rights education, social studies, citizenship education and international and comparative education.Chapter 2 of this book is freely available as a downloadable Open Access PDF at http://www.taylorfrancis.com under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 license.Chapters 1, 6, 7, 9, 12 and 13 of this book are freely available as a downloadable Open Access PDF at http://www.taylorfrancis.com under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives (CC-BY-NC-ND) 4.0 license.
Nordic Social Pedagogical Approach to Early Years
by Charlotte Ringsmose Grethe Kragh-MüllerThis book studies the major characteristics of the social pedagogical approach to early childhood education and care. It does so by investigating the distinctive elements of the Nordic approach and tradition. The cultural, educational, and ideological structures and values within the Nordic tradition indicate a strong "social pedagogical" rather than "early education" emphasis. The Nordic tradition applies a social learning approach that emphasizes play, relationships and outdoor life, and presumes that learning takes place through children's participation in social interaction and processes. Set against this background, the book examines the characteristics of the pedagogue and the important features that develop through the Nordic approach. It compares children educated in the Nordic tradition with those educated in the French-English and Anglo-American tradition. It explores quality in relation to how children can enjoy childhood, and at the same time become able to actively participate in society and develop the social and cognitive skills and competences that individuals require to do well in society.
Nordic Superintendents: Agents in a Broken Chain
by Lejf Moos Jan Merok Paulsen Elisabet NihlforsThis book analyses the superintendent position and relations and shows how the well-known policy umbrella, the New Public Management (NPM), is being adapted to national contexts. School superintendents are civil servants at the heart of the governance of municipal education. Educational governance in the Nordic countries - Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden - is currently undergoing comprehensive restructuring and reconceptualisation at the hands of national governments influenced by transnational agencies. Our analyses of the superintendent position and relations show that the well-known policy umbrella, the New Public Management (NPM), is moving towards focusing on soft governance and social technologies as the preferred means of influences. Thus we rename it New Public Governance (NPG).
Nordic-Chinese Intersections within Education (Palgrave Studies on Chinese Education in a Global Perspective)
by Fred Dervin Xiangyun Du Haiqin LiuThis book examines how the two educational systems of China and the Nordic countries intersect. Over the past decade, there has been increased growth and interaction between China and the Nordic countries due to both government encouragement and academic curiosity. This book rejects a simplistic approach that presents both spaces as culturally uniform, confronting ‘East’ and ‘West’ entities, and suggests a comparative and contrastive approach that is critical and reflexive in both theory and methodology. This does not solely concentrate on difference, but emphasises similarities, including studies on philosophical, conceptual and methodological issues. This nuanced edited collection will appeal to students and scholars of Nordic and Chinese education as well as globalisation and interculturality.