Tímarit um menntarannsóknir - 01.01.2007, Page 169

Tímarit um menntarannsóknir, 4. árgangur 2007
Kristín Aðalsteinsdóttir is Dean of the Faculty of Education at the University of Akureyri, Iceland.
Her research has involved studies in small schools, interaction in the classroom, teachers’ empathy
with the emphasis on effects of pupils with special needs, and multicultural teaching. Her recent
publications include these issues. Her emphasis as a university teacher has been special educational
needs and counselling. She is now writing a book about learning in adulthood, based on her
research in the field. E-mail: kada@unak.is
Kristín Bjarnadóttir is an associate professor of Mathematics Education at the Iceland University
of Education. She obtained her Ph.D. in the field of history of mathematics education at Roskilde
University Centreer in Denmark. Her research interests cover the history of mathematics education
and history of mathematics, and the history of mathematical concepts in particular. She studied
mathematics and physics at the University of Iceland for her B.A. degree and mathematics at the
University of Oregon for her M.Sc. She has taught mathematics and physics at lower and upper
secondary levels and been a member of groups of mathematics textbook writers for secondary
level, as well asand has chaired working groups revising national curricula in mathematics.
EmailE-mail: krisbj@khi.is
Meyvant Þórólfsson is an associate professor at the Iceland University of Education. He
completed a B.Ed. degree at Iceland University of Education in 1978 with emphasis on science
and mathematics education, an M.Ed. in 2002 and is currently a Ph.D. student at the University
of Iceland studying science curriculum reform. His research fields are curriculum studies, science
education, assessment and educational evaluation and research. E-mail: meyvant@khi.is
Ragnheiður Gunnbjörnsdóttir is a teacher at the Vocational College in Akureyri, Iceland. She
earned an M.Ed. degree from the University of Akureyri. The Vocational College runs a course
that caters for students with special needs. The objectives and role of this course are to provide
such students with an overall grounding in life skills and to prepare them either for worker roles or
further studies. Teachers also provide professional assistance and counselling to the students and
their parents/guardians. E-mail: ragng@hive.is
Þórdís Þórðardóttir is a lecturer at the Iceland University of Education. She received a diploma
in management and organisation in educational institutions from the Denmark University of
Social Pedagogy in 1990. She had previously completed a B.A. degree in Education in 1993 and
a teaching qualification in 1995 from the University of Iceland. In 2000 she received an M.Ed.
in Comparative Education from the Iceland University of Education. She is now studying for
her Ph.D. at the University of Iceland. Her main research projects in the field of education are:
comparison of preschool-teacher training in the Scandinavian countries, the cultural literacy of
preschool children, relationships and communication in preschools, and gender and education
studies. E-mail: thordth@khi.is
167About the authors