These new November titles are sure to both help with research and break up those post-exam blues! What better way to wind down from exams and papers than to read some new and exciting content from the OISE Library (at least we think so)!
The slow professor (2016). For authors Berg and Seeber, the idyllic image of the thoughtful professor with infinite time on their hands has given way to the reality that many university professors are struggling under the pressure to do more, be faster and take on new responsibilities. The result is a massive increase in workplace stress that spills into the home lives of those in academia. After a series of private conversations on the topic, Berg and Seeber realized that their personal experiences had brought them to a little addressed, but important, topic. The result is a small monograph that provides a thoughtful exploration of the topic, which Berg and Seeber freely admit has drawn both praise and scorn from their colleagues. In viewing the problem as a problem, rather than “complaining”, the authors contribute to the literature on the mental health and well-being of Canadian professors. Students who are interested in workplace politics, counselling, academia and the management of a work-life balance will find this book to be of interest.
Handbook of social influences in school contexts: social-emotional, motivation, and cognitive outcomes. Ed. Kathryn R. Wentzel and Geetha B. Ramani (2016). This large handbook is a great resource for those interested in investigating a developing and growing research field. How children experience socialization at school with their peers, teachers and classmates can have a profound impact on their social and emotional development. The book is divided into four sections, each containing several chapters for a total of 26 different explorations of the topic. Section I, Perspectives on Peer Influence. Section II, Perspectives on Teacher Influence. Section III, Perspectives on classrooms, school, and cultural contexts. Part IV, Interventions to facilitate Social Change. The chapters cover a wide range of topics while maintaining a coherent adherence to the central methods and theoretical roots of the volume. As is the case with many of the Routledge handbooks available at OISE Library, this one provides a thorough introduction to a specialized topic from a number of different perspectives, and under the direction of qualified and passionate editors.
The Linguistics of Sign Language: An Introduction edited by Anne Baker, Beppie van den Bogaerde, Roland Pfau and Trude Schermer, 2016. Students with a working knowledge of the basic principles of linguistics will find this book fascinating. Students without this basic knowledge can catch up as they read, as the material in the book is clearly written and makes searching for more information on key terms easier. The authors have brought together examples from several countries, which share a common signage but not a common language, to explore the ways that language manifests in a variety of Deaf Communities. Grammar, nuances, and place-specific variations are of interest to these linguists, who also seek to explore the relationship between spoken language and sign language. The book is split into 14 chapters, each with multiple sub-headings that are numbered for easier searching within the book. Illustrations and diagrams abound due to the subject matter. Two appendices provide indispensable resources for the reader: notational conventions (for recording research), and examples of manual alphabets. Students pursuing research on disabilities in education, alternative means of education and the effects of language on international education will find this work stimulating.
College Success for Students with Disabilities: A Guide to Finding and Using Resources, with Real-World Stories, Irene Ingersoll, 2016. Ingersoll addresses the often difficult transition for students with disabilities to college with the advantage of a 30-year career in counseling and disability accommodation. She makes clear the accommodations available to students with any kind of disability, whether physical or mental and provides step by step plans to help them prepare for, get into and maintain academic success in a college context. It should be noted that this book was written with the American educational system and context in mind. Nevertheless, OISE students may find ideas and inspiration for their research and professional development. Personal stories of young men and women with disabilities help to illustrate the sense that students are never alone in their struggle, and the stories also provide good examples of the practical application of policy in real life. This guide would be good reading for students interested in counseling and in creating a positive life for everyone on campus.
Elena Aguilar’s The Art of Coaching Teams: Building Resilient Communities That Transform Schools (2016) provides hands on activities for successful and sustained team building in the school context. The book is divided into thirteen chapters and a conclusion, with seven appendices. So many appendices may seem odd, but Aguilar uses them as reference and practical exercise materials, including facilitator core-competencies and activities for meetings. The book is for anyone in the education system, including administrators, teachers, Councillors and grade-level team leaders, among many others. Novice team leaders can find some direction from this book, and experienced leaders may find the practical exercises to be just that: practical. Students embarking on their practicums may find materials for building connections and support helpful, and understanding team dynamics may help them to better situate themselves in the field. The author, Elena Aguilar, has more than 20 years of experience in teaching and consulting on matters of leadership and team building. This is her second major book. Her first book is also available at OISE Library, for those interested.
The fourth edition of Ethical Leadership and Decision Making in Education: Applying Theoretical Perspectives to Complex Dilemmas is an exciting new acquisition for both practical and research-related reasons. Joan Poliner Shapiro and Jacqueline A. Stefkovich have revitalized the book with a new chapter on technology, updates to existing chapters and provocative new case studies. Teaching notes and examples written by teachers and practitioners in the field are just two of the helpful sources of information in this volume. The work is divided into three parts: Practice and Paradigms in the Study of Ethics, A Multiparadigm Approach to Analyzing Paradoxical Dilemmas and Teaching as Scholarly Work. The connections drawn between pedagogy and ethics in the final section will opens up new avenues for possible research. The book provides case studies for many difficult issues and incidents facing real teachers, which could also be used as classroom examples in the education of new teachers. There are several earlier editions here at the library and online.
You can find these titles, and many more new additions to the OISE collection, on the ground floor of OISE Library. They will be available on the “New Acquisitions” shelf across from the reference desk.
Happy reading!
