Chinese American Educational Research and Development Association Book Series – serie

This is the first in the book series on educational research sponsored by Chinese American Educational Research and Development Association (CAERDA, www.caerda.org).

This is the first in the book series on educational research sponsored by Chinese American Educational Research and Development Association (CAERDA, www.caerda.org).

The book is linked to the annual theme of the 2008 CAERDA International Conference with contributing authors serving as keynote speakers, invited panelists, paper presenters, as well as specialists and educators in the field. The book provides a most comprehensive description of and a theoretically well-informed and a scholarly cogent account of teaching and learning Chinese in general and in the United States in particular. It examines a wide range of important issues in Chinese teaching and learning: current state in teaching Chinese as a Second Language (TCSL) in the United States, US national standards for learning foreign languages K-12, policy making about how to meet the growing demand for Chinese language and cultural education with regard to a national coordination of efforts, professional teacher training in terms of the quantity and quality of Chinese language teachers at all levels, promotion of early language learning, characteristics of Chinese pedagogy, aspects of Chinese linguistics, methods and methodology in teaching TCSL, techniques and technology in Chinese language education, curriculum and instruction in TCSL, cultural aspects of teaching Chinese as a Second Language, issues in Chinese pedagogy, development of Chinese as a Heritage Language (HL) and the issue of cultural identity for bilingual/multilingual learners (particularly bilingual/multilingual children), testing and evaluation in TCSL, Chinese literacy and reading, approaches to instruction and program design, etc.

The book is linked to the annual theme of the 2008 CAERDA International Conference with contributing authors serving as keynote speakers, invited panelists, paper presenters, as well as specialists and educators in the field. The book provides a most comprehensive description of and a theoretically well-informed and a scholarly cogent account of teaching and learning Chinese in general and in the United States in particular. It examines a wide range of important issues in Chinese teaching and learning: current state in teaching Chinese as a Second Language (TCSL) in the United States, US national standards for learning foreign languages K-12, policy making about how to meet the growing demand for Chinese language and cultural education with regard to a national coordination of efforts, professional teacher training in terms of the quantity and quality of Chinese language teachers at all levels, promotion of early language learning, characteristics of Chinese pedagogy, aspects of Chinese linguistics, methods and methodology in teaching TCSL, techniques and technology in Chinese language education, curriculum and instruction in TCSL, cultural aspects of teaching Chinese as a Second Language, issues in Chinese pedagogy, development of Chinese as a Heritage Language (HL) and the issue of cultural identity for bilingual/multilingual learners (particularly bilingual/multilingual children), testing and evaluation in TCSL, Chinese literacy and reading, approaches to instruction and program design, etc.

Over the past thirty years, student assessment has become an increasingly important component of public education. A variety of methodologies in testing have been developed to obtain and interpret the wealth of assessment outcomes. As assessment goals are getting increasingly multifaceted, new testing methodologies are called for to provide more accessible and reliable information on more complex constructs or processes, such as students' critical thinking and problem-solving skills.Testing methodologies are needed to extract information from assessments on such complicated skills, in order to advise teachers about certain areas of students that need intervention. It is even a bigger challenge, and a vital mission of today’s large-scale assessments, to gain such information from testing data in an efficient manner. For example PARCC and Smarter Balanced Assessments consortia are both striving to offer formative assessments through individualized, tailored testing. The book provides state-of-the-art coverage on new methodologies to support tradit ional summative assessment, and more importantly, for emerging formative assessments.

Over the past thirty years, student assessment has become an increasingly important component of public education. A variety of methodologies in testing have been developed to obtain and interpret the wealth of assessment outcomes. As assessment goals are getting increasingly multifaceted, new testing methodologies are called for to provide more accessible and reliable information on more complex constructs or processes, such as students' critical thinking and problem-solving skills.Testing methodologies are needed to extract information from assessments on such complicated skills, in order to advise teachers about certain areas of students that need intervention. It is even a bigger challenge, and a vital mission of today’s large-scale assessments, to gain such information from testing data in an efficient manner. For example PARCC and Smarter Balanced Assessments consortia are both striving to offer formative assessments through individualized, tailored testing. The book provides state-of-the-art coverage on new methodologies to support tradit ional summative assessment, and more importantly, for emerging formative assessments.

In recent years there have been significant changes in education across the globe, largely as a result of changing demographics, technological developments, and increased globalization. Relatedly, the changing needs of societies and families, along with new research findings, provide new directions in early childhood education. Consequently, early childhood teachers today are faced with higher and more complex expectations to help ensure that their students achieve their full potential. Such expectations suggest that early childhood teachers should be professionals who are able to draw on a robust knowledge base in making educational decisions. It follows that teacher education programs should develop and implement innovative programs that can potentially enhance the quality of our future teachers.An awareness of pressing issues in the field of early childhood teacher education led the editors to develop this volume. The chapters in these two volumes bring together scholars from across the US and the globe who are interested in improving the quality of early childhood teacher education. The chapters present their experiences, perspectives, and lessons learned as they addressed some of the challenging issues concerning the education and preparation of future early childhood teachers. The various issues and perspectives from different states in the US or countries across the globe provide insights into current issues and dilemmas facing the field. The contributions of these scholars should inform the discourse on early childhood teacher education and help those who work with preservice teachers improve the quality of their work.

In recent years there have been significant changes in education across the globe, largely as a result of changing demographics, technological developments, and increased globalization. Relatedly, the changing needs of societies and families, along with new research findings, provide new directions in early childhood education. Consequently, early childhood teachers today are faced with higher and more complex expectations to help ensure that their students achieve their full potential. Such expectations suggest that early childhood teachers should be professionals who are able to draw on a robust knowledge base in making educational decisions. It follows that teacher education programs should develop and implement innovative programs that can potentially enhance the quality of our future teachers.An awareness of pressing issues in the field of early childhood teacher education led the editors to develop this volume. The chapters in these two volumes bring together scholars from across the US and the globe who are interested in improving the quality of early childhood teacher education. The chapters present their experiences, perspectives, and lessons learned as they addressed some of the challenging issues concerning the education and preparation of future early childhood teachers. The various issues and perspectives from different states in the US or countries across the globe provide insights into current issues and dilemmas facing the field. The contributions of these scholars should inform the discourse on early childhood teacher education and help those who work with preservice teachers improve the quality of their work.

In recent years there have been significant changes in education across the globe, largely as a result of changing demographics, technological developments, and increased globalization. Relatedly, the changing needs of societies and families, along with new research findings, provide new directions in early childhood education. Consequently, early childhood teachers today are faced with higher and more complex expectations to help ensure that their students achieve their full potential. Such expectations suggest that early childhood teachers should be professionals who are able to draw on a robust knowledge base in making educational decisions. It follows that teacher education programs should develop and implement innovative programs that can potentially enhance the quality of our future teachers.An awareness of pressing issues in the field of early childhood teacher education led the editors to develop this volume. The chapters in these two volumes bring together scholars from across the US and the globe who are interested in improving the quality of early childhood teacher education. The chapters present their experiences, perspectives, and lessons learned as they addressed some of the challenging issues concerning the education and preparation of future early childhood teachers. The various issues and perspectives from different states in the US or countries across the globe provide insights into current issues and dilemmas facing the field. The contributions of these scholars should inform the discourse on early childhood teacher education and help those who work with preservice teachers improve the quality of their work.

In recent years there have been significant changes in education across the globe, largely as a result of changing demographics, technological developments, and increased globalization. Relatedly, the changing needs of societies and families, along with new research findings, provide new directions in early childhood education. Consequently, early childhood teachers today are faced with higher and more complex expectations to help ensure that their students achieve their full potential. Such expectations suggest that early childhood teachers should be professionals who are able to draw on a robust knowledge base in making educational decisions. It follows that teacher education programs should develop and implement innovative programs that can potentially enhance the quality of our future teachers.An awareness of pressing issues in the field of early childhood teacher education led the editors to develop this volume. The chapters in these two volumes bring together scholars from across the US and the globe who are interested in improving the quality of early childhood teacher education. The chapters present their experiences, perspectives, and lessons learned as they addressed some of the challenging issues concerning the education and preparation of future early childhood teachers. The various issues and perspectives from different states in the US or countries across the globe provide insights into current issues and dilemmas facing the field. The contributions of these scholars should inform the discourse on early childhood teacher education and help those who work with preservice teachers improve the quality of their work.

The book “Gifted Education in Asia: Problems and Prospects” is the first of its kind in terms of providing a critical assessment of the state of gifted education in nine representative countries or regions in Asia (Hong Kong, India, Japan, Mainland China, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and Turkey), five commentaries that put gifted education in a global context, and a conclusion chapter that provides a long-term projection of future developments in gifted education in an information age and knowledge economy in the 21st century, and what challenges and opportunities lie ahead for Asian countries. As Asia has become an economic powerhouse globally, and its education has also gained global attention (e.g., its stellar performance in international comparisons such as PISA), gifted education gearing toward the cultivation of the most precious human capital gains added importance.Authors of the 15-Chapter volume come from Asia, Europe, and North America, and they represent top experts in the field of education. The book is an authoritative source of knowledge for anyone interested in gifted education, talent development, and creativity in this region. Policy makers, business and school leaders, teachers, educational researchers, and parents will find this book informative and thought-provoking.

The book “Gifted Education in Asia: Problems and Prospects” is the first of its kind in terms of providing a critical assessment of the state of gifted education in nine representative countries or regions in Asia (Hong Kong, India, Japan, Mainland China, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and Turkey), five commentaries that put gifted education in a global context, and a conclusion chapter that provides a long-term projection of future developments in gifted education in an information age and knowledge economy in the 21st century, and what challenges and opportunities lie ahead for Asian countries. As Asia has become an economic powerhouse globally, and its education has also gained global attention (e.g., its stellar performance in international comparisons such as PISA), gifted education gearing toward the cultivation of the most precious human capital gains added importance.Authors of the 15-Chapter volume come from Asia, Europe, and North America, and they represent top experts in the field of education. The book is an authoritative source of knowledge for anyone interested in gifted education, talent development, and creativity in this region. Policy makers, business and school leaders, teachers, educational researchers, and parents will find this book informative and thought-provoking.

Lifelong Learning: The Education of the Aging Population focuses on the education of the aging population worldwide. The book includes studies representing a variety of perspectives and research methods, rich and informative in analyzing the issue under country-specific social, cultural, historical, economic, and political contexts, and strategies to improve life-long education of aging society.The chapters addressKey trends, status, major theories, and models of life-long education for the aging population across a variety of communitiesIssues and challenges that exist in life-long education for the aging populationEffective and successful practices and models that may benefit other countries.The book unites expert researchers, educators, advocates, policymakers, and community leaders from various countries to offer insights, key trends, theories, and practices in education for the aging population, aiming to positively influence lifelong learning for this group globally.

Lifelong Learning: The Education of the Aging Population focuses on the education of the aging population worldwide. The book includes studies representing a variety of perspectives and research methods, rich and informative in analyzing the issue under country-specific social, cultural, historical, economic, and political contexts, and strategies to improve life-long education of aging society.The chapters addressKey trends, status, major theories, and models of life-long education for the aging population across a variety of communitiesIssues and challenges that exist in life-long education for the aging populationEffective and successful practices and models that may benefit other countries.The book unites expert researchers, educators, advocates, policymakers, and community leaders from various countries to offer insights, key trends, theories, and practices in education for the aging population, aiming to positively influence lifelong learning for this group globally.

This edited volume, Rekindling Embers of the Soul: An Examination of Spirituality Issues Relating to Teacher Education, fills the gap in scholarship by providing information about an understudied aspect of teacher education research. In an education environment that provides an increasing degree of standardization founded upon corporatized materialist values, the concept of spirituality and its importance in shaping the diverse identities of students and teachers becomes neglected. This volume offers ten chapters, which relate the spirituality to teacher education with regard to theory and research, instruction, and content. Both researchers and teachers will appreciate the insights that it offers.