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Book helps pave the way to world-wide educational goal

November 21, 2006

LinleyC.thumb.jpgThe University of New England has celebrated the publication of a book that will help pave the way to a world-wide goal: “Education For All” (EFA).

The book focuses on "multi-grade teaching" - the simultaneous teaching of more than one grade by a single teacher. This kind of teaching is an essential tool for extending education to small, isolated communities throughout the world – including parts of Australia. UNE has an international reputation for research on multi-grade teaching and the education and professional development of multi-grade teachers.

Reaching EFA Through Multi-grade Teaching: Issues, contexts and practices, is edited by Linley Cornish (a Senior Lecturer in UNE's School of Education), and published by Kardoorair Press, Armidale. There are chapters from 20 researchers and practitioners in both developed and developing countries – from England, Finland and Australia to India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, South Africa, Lao PDR, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and Mongolia. “Some of the contributors work in agencies with responsibility for Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, making the coverage of issues, contexts and practices wide-ranging and relevant,” Ms Cornish said.

“The idea for the book was originally discussed at the Second International Multi-grade Teaching Conference, held in Bangkok in 2004 and jointly organised by staff from Chulalongkorn University and the School of Education at UNE,” she explained.

“The book describes a number of research and professional development projects to improve the status and provision of multi-grade education in a range of different contexts,” she continued. “In addition, it discusses broad issues such as language of instruction, access to education (in the context of gender, refugee status, nomadic lifestyle, etc.) and support (including the provision of suitable curriculum materials and teacher education). Teaching strategies for successful multi-grade practice are highlighted – strategies that also have general applicability to single-grade classes.”

The Regional Director for the New England Region of the NSW Department of Education and Training, Mr Des Gorman, launched the book at a special function in UNE's School of Education earlier this month. The Head of the School, Professor Ian Hay, speaking at the launch, praised Ms Cornish's dedication both to the book project and to her work within the School. One of the Directors of Kardoorair Press, Mr Tony Bennett, acted as MC for the book-launch function.

Ms Cornish is pictured here signing a copy of the book at the launch.

“While multi-grade classes are usually formed by necessity, some teachers in developed countries adopt them by choice because of a belief that the increased diversity can be harnessed to provide positive benefits for learning,” she said. “In fact, successful teaching strategies in multi-grade classrooms are directly applicable to classes everywhere because all classes have a range of diverse learners."

Posted by Jim Scanlan at November 21, 2006 05:41 PM