Description:
Abstract In this chapter the findings of five studies are reported. Two research instruments were used: the Mathematics and Technology Attitudes Scale (MTAS), and the Survey of Attitudes Toward Statistics Scale (SATS). The aims, methods, data analyses, selected findings and conclusions are presented, as well as implications for the teaching and learning of mathematics and statistics. The studies involved samples from Australia and Greece. Findings from the three MTAS studies revealed that there is a complex nexus of relationships between secondary mathematics students’ mathematics confidence, confidence with technology, attitude to learning mathematics with technology, affective engagement and behavioural engagement, achievement, and gender. Findings from the SATS studies indicated that male Greek tertiary students had more positive attitudes toward statistics than female students; there was no gender gap for the Australian tertiary students. Secondary students’ attitudes towards ICT use for mathematics learning require further scrutiny in order to bring about gender equity and to facilitate improved outcomes for all students. Gender and cultural sensitivity are paramount in the instructional planning, decision making, and implementation of secondary mathematics and tertiary statistics.
Description:
This chapter briefly describes the changing position of older workers in labour markets. Working longer is high on the agenda of policymakers in most of the industrialized nations as they wish to minimize the 'burden' presented by the ageing of populations, namely the sustainability of pensions and healthcare systems, while there are also supposed threats to the labour supply as the 'Baby Boomers' retire and young labour market entrants are fewer. However, critical thinking on the issue of ageing and work has been lacking in current debates, in particular how policy objectives are to be achieved, at what cost, and in particular, what the role of employers and the risks for older people will be.
Description:
This chapter briefly describes the changing position of older workers in labour markets. Working longer is high on the agenda of policymakers in most of the industrialized nations as they wish to minimize the 'burden' presented by the ageing of populations, namely the sustainability of pensions and healthcare systems, while there are also supposed threats to the labour supply as the 'Baby Boomers' retire and young labour market entrants are fewer. However, critical thinking on the issue of ageing and work has been lacking in current debates, in particular how policy objectives are to be achieved, at what cost, and in particular, what the role of employers and the risks for older people will be.