Learning environments associated with technology-based science classrooms for gifted Singaporean females

Because there has been very little past research into gifted students’ science learning environments, especially in Singapore, we selected from four established questionnaires six learning environment scales that are consistent with Van Tassel-Baska and Stambaugh’s guidelines for gifted education. These scales were modified slightly to enhance suitability for the target population and refined further based on feedback from teachers and students in a pilot study. Data from administration of the questionnaires to 722 gifted science students in grades 9 and 10 were analysed to provide support for the questionnaire’s factorial validity, internal consistency reliability, ability to differentiate between classrooms, and predictive validity (in terms of associations with self-efficacy). To evaluate a new one-student one-laptop program being implemented for the first time, we compared the learning environments of this program with regular classrooms and found higher levels of perceived investigation, task orientation, collaboration, computer usage and formative assessment in technology-based classrooms.

     

高职英语课堂重述纠错效果研究

本文以Lyster和Ranta(1997)的研究模式为指导,研究了高职英语课堂重述纠错的效果,并分析了重述修正率低的原因。通过本研究的结果,笔者得出如下启示:高职教师可利用不同的语调和肢体语言来提示学生自己重述的意图,以提高重述的纠错效果。同时教师应该把更多的注意力放在如何为学生提供更好的课堂语言环境。     

Technology-supported learning environments in science classrooms in India

The adoption of technology has created a major impact in the field of education at all levels. Technology-supported classroom learning environments, involving modern information and communication technologies, are also entering the Indian educational system in general and the schools in Jammu region (Jammu & Kashmir State, India) in particular. This study, which is the first of its kind in India, reports the use of a modified form of Technology-Rich Outcomes-Focused Learning Environment Inventory (TROFLEI) for assessing students?? perceptions of their learning environments in technology-supported science classrooms. Analysis of data from 705 students from 15 classes provided evidence for the reliability and validity of the questionnaire in Indian science classroom settings. The same data also were used for studying gender differences and associations between students?? perceptions of their technology-supported learning environments and three learner outcomes (attitude towards science, academic efficacy and academic achievement).     

Antecedents to psychosocial environments in middle school classrooms in Taiwan

This study investigated gender differences in students' perceptions of their psychosocial environment and related variables. Analyses of data collected from 644 middle school students reveal that there were significant differences in boys' and girls' perceptions, in favor of girls. Ten academic background variables were examined. Multiple regression results identified, in addition to gender, school membership, attendance, time spent doing homework, students' academic expectations, course grade, and course content as significant variables for all students, accounting for 31% of the variance in environment. There were gender-related disparities for the variables involved. While time spent doing homework, students' academic expectations, course grade, and course content had significant effects on both boys and girls' environments, school membership and time spent in watching TV had effects only on girls' perceptions. Educational implications of the findings are also discussed in the article. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Learning actions indicating algebraic thinking in multilingual classrooms

Educational Studies in Mathematics - This article discusses algebraic thinking regarding positive integers and rational numbers when students, 6 to 9 years old in multilingual classrooms,...     

大学英语教师在多媒体课堂中的语言艺术

在多媒体英语课堂教学中教师的话语量减少了,但是不是不用重视教师的课堂语言艺术了呢?本文通过分析多媒体英语课堂教学中教师课堂语言艺术的特点和作用,来说明大学英语多媒体课堂中教师语言艺术的重要性,并指出大学英语教师在多媒体课堂中教师的课堂语言艺术应注意的几个方面。以求达到更佳的教学效果     

Learning environment profiles of Turkish secondary biology classrooms

The purposes of this study were to examine how Turkish students perceived their biology classroom environment, how their perceptions compared to those of students in other countries, and what classroom learning environment profiles could be discerned in Turkish high school biology classrooms. Data were gathered from 1,474 high school students in four inner city schools, in Bursa, Turkey. A total of 11 biology teachers participated in the study with 52 of their classes. Data on students’ perceptions of their learning environment were collected with the What Is Happening In this Class? (WIHIC) questionnaire. Results indicated that Turkish classrooms were perceived as being low in terms of Teacher Support and high in terms of Task Orientation. Six distinct classroom learning environment profiles were found: the ‘self-directed learning classroom’, ‘task-oriented cooperative learning classroom’, ‘mainstream classroom’, ‘task-oriented individualised classroom’, ‘low-effective learning classroom’ and ‘high-effective learning classroom’. The most common profile was the ‘mainstream classroom’ for which all WIHIC scales had medium–high scores.     

Piloting autism intervention research with teachers in mainstream classrooms

Although there is a recognised need for effective practices to support students on the autism spectrum in mainstream schools, there is a research to practice gap in the area of autism and education, whereby evidence-based intervention may take decades to translate into mainstream classroom practice. Thus, current recommendations are that, rather than presenting mainstream school teachers with interventions developed and tested in clinical or special education settings, a participatory research process should be used to facilitate implementation in real-world mainstream classrooms. This article reports on a case study that aimed to refine a structured teaching intervention package for use in mainstream classrooms, while at the same time tailoring research methods for evaluating the package in these settings. The outcomes of the project are presented with respect to (a) the development and refinement of the intervention package in consultation with a mainstream classroom teacher and (b) the lessons learned during the process that other clinical researchers, teachers, and clinicians could apply when implementing educational interventions in mainstream settings.     

Events in learning mathematics: Insights from research in classrooms

In this paper, it is contended that in order to understand individual student's learning in the complexity of the mathematics classroom it is necessary to examine the events that occur before, during, and after learning. To illustrate, the process by which two children each construct new mathematical meanings is examined in this manner. The detailed analyses of each of these events provides insight into the processes by which individual students construct mathematical meanings in classroom settings. The investigation also reveals that the underlying social norms differ from those found in traditional classes, and that this creates different opportunities for learning. It is contended that it is the differences in the norms that have been established in their respective classes that distinguishes between the events in learning for the two children.Preparation of this paper was supported by the National Science Foundation (RED 9254939) and while the author was the Snodgrass Scholar in the School of Education Purdue University. The final draft was completed at the Mathematics Education Research Centre, Oxford University. All opinions are those of the author.     

Learning English

Some of my classmates are afrald ot English. They think English is difficult to learn. But I don‘t think so. I like English very much. To me, it‘s not only a subject, but also a useful language. I try my best to use English at any time if possible.     

The attributes of a successful Learning Support Teacher in Australian inclusive classrooms

This study used focus groups to investigate 18 general classroom teachers' and 12 learning support teachers' conceptions of the attributes of successful learning support teachers. Based on the attributes emerging from the focus groups, a 20-item questionnaire was designed consisting of statements in four categories: Knowledge and Experience; Organisational Skills; Communication; and Personal Traits. The questionnaire was completed by 117 teachers. Results indicated that there was agreement between the focus groups and teachers who responded to the questionnaire. However, there was a mismatch between learning support teachers and classroom teachers as to what they regarded as being the most important attributes. Learning support teachers indicated that Knowledge and Experience was the most important attribute but this same category was not rated as highly by general classroom teachers. In the total sample of teachers, Personal Traits was rated significantly higher than the other three categories. Communication was ranked second which was significantly higher than Organisational Skills.     

CMC in English Learning

The study aims at examining the results gained from the previous research that has been done on CMC . The paper presents abundant research to show that the application of high technologies has been gre...     

Pleasure in Learning English

If you think learning isn‘t interesting, then you can‘t learn well. Let me talk about the pleasure in learning English.     

Relationship between perceived and observed student-centred learning environments in Qatari elementary mathematics and science classrooms

Recently, Qatar established educational reform in charter (independent) schools focusing on curriculum standards, student-centred teaching, standards-based assessment, English as the language of instruction, and extensive professional development. A primary area of emphasis was the creation of student-centred mathematics and science classrooms characterised by inquiry and active student participation. The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in the learning environments of Qatari mathematics and science classrooms at two levels: in higher- and lower-performing Qatari schools implementing the recent Education for a New Era reform elements; and in classes of teachers who experienced professional development focused on student-centred teaching strategies and those who did not. Participants included teachers and students in 47 grade 3 and 4 mathematics and science classrooms. Classroom observations were conducted and student learning environment surveys were administered at the beginning and end of the semester. Results indicated low levels of student-centred instruction, despite significant improvement over time. Few differences by level of school performance or professional development participation existed. However, Personalisation emerged as a key learning environment variable related to teachers’ implementation of student-centred instruction.