Search results for "cultural diversity"
showing 10 items of 174 documents
The effects of self-efficacy on computer usage
1995
Abstract This paper examines the effect of self-efficacy, belief in one's capabilities of using a computer in the accomplishment of specific tasks, on computer usage. It introduces an extended technology acceptance model (TAM) that explicitly incorporates self-efficacy and its determinants (experience and organizational support) as factors affecting computer anxiety, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness and the use of computer technology. A survey of 450 microcomputer users in Finland found strong support for the conceptual model. In accordance with TAM, perceived usefulness had a strong direct effect on usage, while perceived ease of use had indirect effect on usage through perceive…
Struggling for inclusive education in Japan and Finland: teachers’ attitudes towards inclusive education
2019
The aim of this study was to analyse and compare teachers’ attitudes towards inclusive education in two culturally different countries: Finland and Japan. A sample of 362 Finnish and 1518 Japanese teachers participated in this survey. The teachers’ attitudes varied and were rather critical. The Finnish teachers were more worried about teachers’ efficacy when implementing inclusion, particularly when teaching students with intellectual disabilities or emotional and behavioural problems. The Japanese teachers had a more positive view on the benefits of inclusion for disabled or non-disabled students. Because Finnish schools emphasise the effectiveness of special education, the Finnish teacher…
Making meaning of inclusive education: classroom practices in Finnish and South African classrooms
2017
AbstractThis paper reports on the findings of an international comparative research project where the roles of teachers in the implementation of inclusive education in mainstream-classroom settings in South Africa and Finland were investigated. Inclusive education within this project is broadly defined as welcoming all students to general-education schools and classrooms and not segregating students on the basis of ability or other individual or sociocultural characteristics. In this paper a qualitative analysis of Finnish and South African teachers’ day-to-day teaching and learning support practices in their classroom is discussed. Individual and focus-group interviews encouraged teachers …
Parenting dimensions in relation to pre-schoolers’ behaviour problems in Latvia and Lithuania
2014
The aim of the present study was to examine associations between parenting and child behaviour problems in two neighbouring countries with subtle, yet apparent cultural differences. Participants were mothers and fathers of preschool-age children from Latvia and Lithuania. Parents completed a measure of child-rearing attitudes and reported on their child’s internalizing and externalizing behaviours. In both countries, parental warmth was negatively associated with child behaviour problems, and punishment orientation was positively associated. There were differences by country in the association of paternal psychological control and behaviour problems, and in the interactions of parenting di…
A cross-cultural study of behavioral inhibition in toddlers: East-West-North-South
2006
The prevalence of behavioral inhibition in toddlers was examined in five cultures. Participants in this study included 110 Australian, 108 Canadian, 151 Chinese, 104 Italian, and 113 South Korean toddlers and their mothers who were observed during a structured observational laboratory session. Matched procedures were used in each country, with children encountering an unfamiliar stranger with a truck and a robot. Indicators of inhibition included the length of time toddlers delayed before approaching the stranger and the duration of contact with their mother while the stranger was in the room. Results were generally consistent with expectations and showed differences between eastern and we…
Application of the CIPP model in the study of factors that promote intercultural sensitivity
2012
The present study proposes a group of factors (related to self, context and process) favouring the development of intercultural sensitivity. A social diagnosis was performed in the Spanish province of Castellón in order to identify these factors by means of a correlational study. A non-probabilistic but representative sample consisting of 995 people from 37 different countries living in this province was used. Data were collected by means of an adaptation of the scale proposed by Chen and Starosta (2000) for the assessment of intercultural sensitivity. Results showed four profiles, and their main characteristics were studied. Variables such as country of origin, gender, academic background,…
Application of the CIPP model in the study of factors that promote intercultural sensitivity
2012
The present study proposes a group of factors (related to self, context and process) favouring the development of intercultural sensitivity. A social diagnosis was performed in the Spanish province of Castellón in order to identify these factors by means of a correlational study. A non-probabilistic but representative sample consisting of 995 people from 37 different countries living in this province was used. Data were collected by means of an adaptation of the scale proposed by Chen and Starosta (2000) for the assessment of intercultural sensitivity. Results showed four profiles, and their main characteristics were studied. Variables such as country of origin, gender, academic background,…
The role of parents in the engagement of young children with digital technologies: Exploring tensions between rights of access and protection, from ‘…
2016
This study investigates the role played by parents as mediators of young children’s access and engagement with digital technologies. In Belgium, Germany, Latvia and Portugal, qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with 10 families in each country, including one child between 6 and 7 years old. Our findings show that parents of young children mainly play the role of ‘gatekeepers’ when it comes to facilitating and constraining access to and use of digital technologies. Parents’ perceptions of the efficacy of digital technologies as responsible entertainment and as educational tools influence the technologies available at home and accessible to the child. These perceptions in turn impa…
Intercultural Education: Promoting Sustainability in Education and Training
2008
Education for sustainable development (ESD) is a dynamic concept that encompasses a new vision of education seeking to empower people of all ages to assume responsibility for creating and enjoying a sustainable future. Today the notion of sustainable development includes ecological, economic, social and cultural sustainability. Cultural diversity and intercultural education contribute to the social and cultural aspects of sustainability. Responding to the challenge of ESD entails that the education policy is based on the participation of the whole population: all individuals should be aware of their own responsibility for creating a sustainable future in terms of ecology, economy, social re…
Familiarity and liking playing a role on the perception of trained panelists: A cross-cultural study on teas
2015
Consumers cultural background is known to influence their food choice. To better understand the sensory perception across cultures, it is helpful to work with both a descriptive panel and consumers. This study examined how tea products of differing fermentation levels were described and liked by different cultures. Seven tea samples were evaluated by Korean and French trained panels and consumers. The trained panels evaluated the samples on appearance, flavor, and mouthfeel. The consumers rated the samples on acceptability and familiarity. The result indicated that both descriptive panels experienced varying degrees of taste and odor cross-modal interaction. On the unfamiliar samples, Frenc…