分层次的展示作业对提高大学英语能力的实证研究

英语作业是英语课堂教学的延续和补充,能使学生更好地巩固和运用所学的知识,是培养学生学习兴趣、良好的学习习惯及综合运用英语语言能力的有效途径。教师通过布置作业可以得到反馈信息,获悉学生对英语语言知识的掌握和运用情况,从而使教学更有针对性,能更有效地调整教学重心和改进教学策略,提高教学效率和学生的英语语言运用能力。而同时,大学英语分级教学是目前全国高校普遍探索的一种课程改革模式,但是在现实生活中,分级后的同一班中的学生需求和英语水平仍然参差不齐。本文探索了在实施分级教学的大环境下如何利用分级作业实现英语水平不同的学生的共同进步。     

数字化英语写作教学对大学生写作影响的实证研究

本研究旨在探讨网络环境下基于写作资源教学系统的数字化英语写作教学对不同英语水平学生的写作能力的影响。38名受试完成历时10周的"数字化英语写作"实验课程。研究结果表明,数字化英语写作教学对学生的写作能力总体上产生积极的影响,不同英语水平学生的写作质量均有显著提高,低水平组学生的写作准确性得到了显著的提高;不同英语水平学生在易纠正和难纠正的语言错误类型上存在差异。     

我院研究生英语教学的现状和展望

根据我院研究生的特点及英语水平现状．结合多年来研究生英语教学的探索和实践,针对研究生英语听、说、读、写、译能力的培养,本文作者总结了教学体系、教学内容和教学方法等方面的成功经验．指出必须着重培养研究生的英语实际应用能力,才能全面提高研究生的英语水平,促进研究生教育又好又快地发展。     

基于需求分析的英语学习研究——以职业学院学生为观察点

本研究以定量与定性研究方法探讨了高职学生的英语学习需求状况,研究发现高职学生迫切希望提高英语水平,期待大学英语学习能提高他们的英语综合能力及口语表达和阅读能力,从而提高其择业竞争力。而客观上学生这些方面的能力比较薄弱,教师应采取灵活多样的教学方法,因材施教,多途径并用,帮助学生提高英语的各项应用能力。     

构建生命课堂,提高高职英语课堂实效

职业教育培养的是一线技术型、应用型人才,高职院校坚持"以就业为导向,以能力为本位"的育人原则,结合市场及用人单位的需求,把提高学生的专业实践能力摆在首位。随着经济全球化步伐的加快,对未来人才的英语水平的要求也越来越高。然而,高职学生的英语水平普遍底子薄,基础差,接受能力慢,有时完成教学任务都十分困难,持续提高教学成绩更是步履维艰。因此,如何提高高职英语课堂教学实效是摆在高职英语教师面前的重要课题。     

独立学院大学英语现状与改革模式探究

当前我国大学英语正处在一个非常重要的发展阶段。学术英语（EAP）、专门用途英语（ESP）、英语模式授课（EMI）在一些重点和普通本科院校正逐渐推广开来。面对不同的学生水平和特点,不同的人才培养目标,独立学院大学英语该如何改革？本研究随机对重庆市两所独立学院的大二学生的英语水平和满意度做了调查。并从学生发展需求、社会发展需求和学科发展需求方面进行论述,试图探寻独立学院大学英语改革模式。研究认为,独立学院应该建立有独立学院特色的大学英语模式,建立丰富持续的课程体系．积极开展第二课堂教学。创新教学评价机制。     

初中英语分层教学的探讨

由于学生的英语水平不同,他们对英语的兴趣能力和学习方法都是不同的,所以他们对英语的需求也是不同的。通过分层教学法在初中英语课堂教学中的实施促进每个学生在最合适自己的英语学习环境中求得最佳的学习方法。     

理论物理研究生的智慧培养

从多个层次阐述了导师应该如何培养理论物理研究生的智慧:根据研究生的个体情况帮助他们选择合适的课题;引导学生以不同的思维方法去钻研同一问题,提高他们分析问题的能力及抽象、联想能力;通过多种途径开启学生的智慧,使研究生在理论物理的"娱乐"中寻求发挥独创性的满足.     

谈如何提高学生的英语口语能力

英语口语能力是中国英语学习者的薄弱环节。学生由于受到英语语境缺乏、母语干扰、语音知识薄弱导致的自信心不足等因素影响,致使"聋子英语"、"哑巴英语"现象普遍存在。大班授课、学生英语水平参差不齐,增加了开展课堂交际活动的难度。笔者拟从英语语音教学、英语语言文化知识导入和课堂活动的开展等三方面探讨如何激起学生学习兴趣从而提高大学生的口语能力。     

谈创设职校校园英语文化的意义

校园英语文化是指学校为提高学生英语水平和英语能力、激发和诱导学生自觉地学习并运用英语所创设的一个整体自然校园英语环境。职业学校校园英语文化指的是职业学校为提高学生英语水平和能力而创设的、符合职校自身特点和需求的校园英语环境,它与普通中学的校园英语文化有共性也有差异性。有共性是因为它们都是英语文化;有差异性是因为职校自身的特点和需求有别于普通中学。     

Puppets in science lessons Experiences and stories from Norwegian teachers who are using puppets

Ten teachers, from preschool to secondary school have tried out puppets as a stimulus in science lessons. Data were gathered by teachers answering a questionnaire and by interviewing the teachers. We report what teachers have experienced by using puppets in science classrooms and in science activities in preschools. Data indicate that the puppet can be used to stimulate science both in preschool, primary school and secondary school. Probably the puppet must be used in different ways in preschool and primary school than in secondary school to get the pupils to accept them. This pilot study has given us courage and ideas to start a following-up study in using puppets in science.     

The effects of globalization phenomena on educational concepts

It is becoming more and more apparent that globalization processes represent, theoretically as well as practically, a challenge for educational sciences and therefore, it must be addressed within the sphere of education. Accordingly, educational conceptions have to adapt to globafization phenomena and focus more on alternative and innovative educational concepts. The observable phenomena that appear as part of globalization then lead to the following question： Is there still space for educational concepts like emancipation, self-determination, equal opportunities and fairness in distribution, democracy and common sense？ The most indispensable tools for the development of equitable and peaceful contemporary education perspectives are a differentiated reflection on globalization phenomena and consequences, an intensive analysis and disclosure to address （global） conflict lines, the questioning of well-established concepts, the formation and embodiment of visions of the global future and the articulation of innovative education concepts. Modern social and political structures and practices have to be reoriented to combat the negative effects of globalization processes through the incorporation of more humane, socially fair and ecological principles. Educational science is sure to make an important contribution in making this a reality.     

Promoting accountability and enhancing efficiency： Using national education accounts to track expenditure flows

Increasing accountability and efficiency in the use of public and out-of-pocket financing in education are critical to realizing the maximum impact of the meager allocations to education in most developing countries. While broad estimates and numbers are routinely collected by most national ministries and state departments of education, the lack of accuracy and reliability as well as the obtuse nature of recording and presentation of the data does not facilitate any serious policy use. A major advance in this area has been brought about by the development of NEA （National Education Accounts）, which is a new tool for measuring education expenditures in a systematic policy-~endly manner. In essence, NEAs measure the ＂financial pulse＂ of an education system, answering 4 key questions： Who is financing education？ How much do they spend？ How are funds distributed across different education providers, levels and activities？ Who benefits from or receives the services？ NEAs gather information on all spending from public, private and donor sources, and provide a snap-shot of all expenditures on education in the state or country. While not an auditing tool, it provides real time information on the flow of funds that can be used for evidence-based decision-making. It provides information to policy-makers, enabling them to discern systcm-wide inequities and identify areas that require changes in policy. In addition, the use of a standard classification of expenditures allows for data from NEAs to be comparable between and within countries. This paper provides an assessment of accountability and efficiency in the use of public and private resources in the education sector in 2 states of Nigeria. Using comparative data from implementation of education accounts in 2 states of Nigeria, it presents a breakdown of education spending by public and private sources as well as donor agencies, by types of providers, by geographical regions and by category of expenditures. It analyzes educational expenditures for the 2 states in the context of state government priorities for education, and proposes a novel way of tracking trends in education spending as a means for policy-makers to organize a strategic vision supported by resources and to evaluate the outcome of policies.     

The use of music to teach life skills to students with emotional disabilities in the classroom

This article discusses the teaching of life skills to urban American youths who are highly fascinated with the hip-hop culture--songs, raps, miming, lyrics, dressing and musical rhythms, especially individuals with emotional disabilities in the public schools. This is an instructional curriculum strategy to encourage positive and active participation of these students, promote perfect school attendance, encourage good behaviors, deal with anger management and motivate committed learning in the classroom. The instructors＇ understanding of students＇ culture, learning needs and styles, and using such background knowledge to educate them become imperative in this setting. These urge for innovative and leadership projects in the author＇s special education classroom necessitated the application of hip-hop music to teach life skills, reading and other functional skills in the classroom. The outcome was positive and rewarding to both the teachers and students. There are recommendations for interested teachers to devise creative teaching methods, differentiated instruction and appropriate classroom management practices to attain student achievement.     

Measuring success： Evaluating educational programs

This paper reveals a new evaluation model, which enables educational program and project managers to evaluate their programs with a simple and easy to understand approach. The ＂index of success model＂ is comprised of five parameters that enable to focus on and evaluate both the implementation and results of an educational program. The integration of these parameters forms a complete and comprehensive picture, which in turn provides the most information on the success or failure of the program. The parameters are： （1） the relevance index, referring to an evaluation of predefined objectives; （2） the efficiency index, referring to the fiscal efficiency of the program; （3） the effectiveness index evaluating the attainment of the program＇s objectives; （4） the impact index gauging the effect on the consumers, for whom the program is undertaken; and （5） the final parameter is the program＇s sustainability index. Since Israel＇s education strategy currently leans towards site-based monitoring and evaluation, such a model can potentially be of great help to school management and staff.     

Values—— A study of teacher and student perceptions in four countries

The study aimed to assess and compare the values prevalent among the students and teachers of Universities in Bangladesh, Japan, USA and Germany. The sample consisted of 480 students and 236 teachers. The sample included 120 undergraduate students Japan; 120 undergraduate students from Bangladesh; 120 undergraduate students from USA, and 120 undergraduate students from Germany. The faculty sample included 60 teachers from Japan, 60 teachers from Bangladesh; 60 teachers from USA, and 56 teachers from Germany. To identify the value preferences of the individuals a list of 10 values, pro-social, achievement, power over others, security, self direction, otherworldliness, fatalism, narcissism, inner directed, and conservative, based on previous values studies by Singh and Parek were prepared. The first five values were identified in previous studies as functional （Singh, 1975） and other five were identified as dysfunctional （Parek, 1988） in the context of national development of Asian cultures. The results revealed that Bangladeshi students held stronger preferences for values identified as functional values than for those identified as dysfunctional. Japanese students indicated stronger preferences for the values identified as functional values except narcissism. The American students indicated a preference for three of the five values identified as functional but also ranked narcissism and other worldliness as third and fifth preferred values respectively. German student showed a preference for functional values, except narcissism which they also ranked as third. Bangladeshi teachers＇ preferences for functional values were higher than dysfunctional values. Japanese teachers indicated a preference for functional values except narcissism. American teachers preferred functional values except other worldliness. German teachers＇ value preferences were also functional, except for narcissism which they ranked as fifth. Students and teachers in the four countries sampled indicate preferences for values identified as functional with few exceptions. This research suggests that value preferences among university students and teachers are more similar than different, suggesting a homogenizing effect （Boli, 2005） on human values.     

Downtown Elementary School （DES）： The unique school that juxtaposes both magnet and professional development school （PDS） programs

The objective of this paper is to explore the operation of magnet and professional development school （PDS） programs in a real life situation using an ethnographic study of Downtown Elementary School （DES-a pseudonym） that simultaneously operates as a PDS and a magnet school. The author spent almost three years at DES, located in the Southern United States, collecting data through participant observation, interviewing, and document collection. The purpose is to provide answers to compelling questions such as： What does it mean to have both magnet and PDS programs operating simultaneously in the same school as in the case of DES？ What can be learned from the experiences of the unique school-DES？ The paper provides an outline of both magnet and PDS programs and their operations at DES and analyzes how these programs are interrelated and intertwined. Some of the outcomes indicate that DES is about the only school in its locality that juxtaposes two innovative school reform programs. These programs impede each other＇s progress sometimes and in some cases feed off each other. There is a lot to be learned from the unique experiences of DES. Coupled with other conclusions, the author concludes that, PDSs, as school restructuring projects are intertwined with magnet schools＇ reform activity which is motivated by the drive to provide equity of opportunity to learn, particularly for poor, minority and black students in mostly urban areas who are at a disadvantage for various reasons. The final section of the paper takes a critical look at the issues at stake through the lens of critical multiculturalism.     

Facilitating adult learning and a researcher identity through a higher education pedagogical process

This empirical study uses auto-ethnography to describe a higher education pedagogical process that facilitated largely doctoral students in preparing their candidacy proposals through the use of specific adult learning principles. Students＇ experiences and points of view of such a learning environment were explored, including： （1） how they contributed to their peers＇ learning; （2） how their peers contributed to their own individual learning; and （3） how the learning environment impacted the process. Key factors identified as pivotal to learning to learn, include creating a learning sanctuary and trusting relationships, engaging in mutual inquiry and the co-construction of meaning, and bridging research theory and practice. These factors enabled students to expand their identities to include a researcher identity and to negotiate deep knowledge at the personal level. Throughout this article, the students＇ points of view are used to elucidate shared and diverse experiences, in addition to supporting conclusions and recommendations for practice and further study.     

Language policy provisions and curriculum issues： The challenges for secondary schools in Nigeria

Language, language policy and curriculum issues occupy very important and strategic places in educational planning in any society. In a multilingual Nigerian society as well as in similar countries like Australia, India or even in seemingly homogenous linguistic societies like Britain, language planning, development and policies are sin qua non. In this paper, the author has tried to look from the perspectives of the provisions of the National Policy on Education （1981） and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria （1979）, and examine the curriculum issues arising from the language and policy aspects in achieving the national educational aims, goals, objectives and development. This paper takes a cursory look at the constitutional and policy documents as well as the realities on ground in the secondary schools. It is discovered that, this sub-sector of education is characterized with language implementation crisis. The disturbing issue is that, since the language of instruction is bedeviled with crisis, the whole educational system itself becomes a failure. The paper recommends that, Nigeria should carry out a language policy reforms that will be acceptable and effective bearing in mind the role of language and language policy in education.     

Developing competencies by playing digital sports-games

The idea of digital game-based learning （DGBL） is that students （or players） learn something by playing a computer or video game and that an educator can employ digital games to assist and boost both formal and informal learning. There is game software that is not specifically produced for educational use but which is nonetheless regularly implemented in educational settings by educators. These so-called COTS （commercial off-the-shelf） games are particularly effective in socialization processes. COTS sports computer and video games can be divided into three main categories： sports simulation games, sports arcade games and sports management games. After taking a closer look at these sports computer and video games, specifically sports simulation games, it is possible to posit dimensions of competencies that are developed by playing those games. Various examples for each dimension of competencies can be generated： motor competence, cognitive competence, meta-cognitive competence, social competence, emotional competence, personal competence and media competence. Furthermore, examples of implementing digital sports-games in physical education can easily be generated. After comparing the postulated dimensions of competencies of COTS digital sports-simulations with those of ＂real＂ sports, the following question arises： Are their respective educational results comparable？