A design framework for educational hypermedia systems: theory, research, and learning emerging scientific conceptual perspectives

This paper focuses on theory and research issues associated with the use of hypermedia technologies in education. It is proposed that viewing hypermedia technologies as an enabling infrastructure for tools to support learning—in particular learning in problem-based pedagogical environments involving cases—has particular promise. After considering research issues with problem-based learning related to knowledge transfer and conceptual change, a design framework is discussed for a hypermedia system with scaffolding features intended to support and enhance problem-based learning with cases. Preliminary results are reported of research involving a new version of this hypermedia design approach with special ontological scaffolding to explore conceptual change and far knowledge transfer issues related to learning advanced scientific knowledge involving complex systems as well as the use of the system in a graduate seminar class. Overall, it is hoped that this program of research will stimulate further work on learning and cognitive sciences theoretical and research issues, on the characteristics of design features for robust and educationally powerful hypermedia systems, on ways that hypermedia systems might be used to support innovative pedagogical approaches being used in the schools, and on how particular designs for learning technologies might foster learning of conceptually difficult knowledge and skills that are increasingly necessary in the 21st century.

Developing children's conceptual understanding of area measurement: A curriculum and teaching experiment

The present study examined the effectiveness of three instructional treatments which had different combinations of mathematical elements regarding 2-dimensional (2-D) geometry and area measurement for developing 4th-grade children's understanding of the formulas for area measurement and their ability to solve area measurement problems. Participants were 120 fourth graders. The results showed that the enriched curriculum, involving the geometry motions and area measurement connections effectively facilitated children's mathematical judgments and explanations demanding high-level conceptual understanding. The instructional curricula accentuating only 2-D geometry or numerical calculations for area measurement did not exhibit such effectiveness. Interview data revealed that the geometric operations of superimposition, decomposition, re-composition as well as the concept of congruence were deemed essential by children for the conceptualization of the formulas for area measurement.     

Primary prevention of reading failure: Effect of universal peer tutoring in the early grades

Reading is typically considered a survival skill in our technology- and literacy-bound culture. Individuals who struggle with learning to read are at significantly elevated risk for a number of negative outcomes, including school failure, under- and unemployment, and special education placement. Thus, those who do not learn to read fluently will likely be a greater drain on society's resources. The authors examined the effects of a universal (school district-wide) implementation of a well-validated peer-tutoring reading intervention as a system-wide prevention measure in kindergarten through Grade 3 in a small metropolitan area in Canada. Results suggest that nearly all children demonstrated improved reading fluency over time. Yet those at highest-risk for poor outcomes, including those living in poverty and those who face learning challenges due to English as a second-language status or special education enrollment, did not make parallel gains to same-age peers in more affluent schools. Implications for educational policy are discussed.     

Peer Tutoring, Metacognitive Processes and Multimedia Problem-based Learning: The Effect of Mediation Training on Critical Thinking

The main objective of the study reported was to explore the effect on young children’s critical thinking of a peer-tutoring training embedded with the metacognitive processes required for problem-based learning and, consequently, for critical thinking. The sample consisted of 90 first- and third-grade pupils (45 pairs) randomly assigned to the experimental or control group. The experimental tutors received the Peer Mediation training, an intervention containing embedded metacognitive processes. The control children received a general preparation for peer-assisted learning. Following their respective preparations, all the children participated in a peer-tutoring condition, videotaped for 25 min and subsequently analyzed with an adaptation of the Newman et al. (Interpers Comput Technol 3(2):56–77, 1995) content analysis instrument. Analysis of the discourse conducted during the tutoring session indicated that the tutors and tutees in the experimental groups exhibited greater depth of critical thinking, demonstrated in the higher Quality of Discourse Ratio calculated, than did the tutors and tutees in the control group. The findings supported previous results showing the efficacy of the Peer Mediation for Young Children mediation-training program, with its embedded metacognitive competencies, for reinforcing young children’s higher-order thinking. Implications for educators are discussed.     

Peer tutoring in algebra: A study in Middle school

Abstract

This study reports the academic benefits of peer tutoring in algebra for middle school students. A total of 380 students enrolled in grades 7^th and 8^th participated in the study. Two peer tutoring sessions took place during each week (10?weeks). Interactions between peers lasted 20 to 25?minutes for each session. The typology of tutoring was fixed and same-age. A pretest posttest with control group design was used. Statistical significant improvements were reported in the academic achievement variable after the implementation of the peer tutoring program for 7^th and 8^th grade courses separately and altogether. Over 87% of the students in the experimental group improved their marks. The overall effect size for the experience was reported to be medium (Hedge’s g?=?0.48). The main conclusion of this study is that fixed and same-age peer tutoring in algebra may be very beneficial for middle school students.     

建筑结构概念设计

文章阐述了概念设计的思想、方法和作用,指出合理的构造措施和预见性的概念设计是完成结构设计的重要保证。     

The 9-step problem design process for problem-based learning: Application of the 3C3R model

The design of problems is crucial for the effectiveness of problem-based learning (PBL). Research has shown that PBL problems have not always been effective. Ineffective PBL problems could affect whether students acquire sufficient domain knowledge, activate appropriate prior knowledge, and properly direct their own learning. This paper builds on the 3C3R problem design model, which is a systematic conceptual framework for guiding the design of effective and reliable problems for PBL. To help practitioners apply the 3C3R model, this paper introduces a 9-step problem design process. The initial steps guide an instructional designer through analyses on learning goal, content, and context to help select problems. Later steps ensure that the problem appropriately affords the specifications identified in the analyses. The last two steps incorporate a reflection component, as well as ensure the integrity of the 3C3R components in the problem.     

Evaluation of mobile authoring and tutoring in medical issues

Mobile computing facilities may provide many assets to the educational process. Mobile technology provides software access from anywhere and at any time, as well as computer equipment independence. The need for time and place independence is even greater for medical instructors and medical students. Medical instructors are usually doctors that have to treat patients on top of their tutoring duties. Mobile features are complementary to web-based features for desktop computers to a high extend in asynchronous e-learning environments. Time and place independence is also a considerable potential for medical students with overloaded educational duties. This paper examines the degree of the usefulness of mobile facilities for medical instructors who wish to author and manage their courses by using a mobile authoring tool. Furthermore, this paper investigates how acceptable and useful the mobile features of an e-learning system have been to medical students who have used the system, in comparison with the use of the system through a desktop computer. In addition, it investigates usability issues.     

论问题解决与教学促进

大多数教育工作者都认为问题解决很重要,但是他们对什么是问题解决持有不同观点,在怎样教给学生问题解决的本领上也没有达成一致意见。各种不同观点主要集中于将问题解决视为教育目标、教育方法以及技能训练之间的差异问题上。其一,目标型问题解决不应只限于良构问题解决,而应该延伸到现实问题解决;其二,对初学者来说,方法型问题解决有其明显的局限性,给予这些学习者足够帮助,对于培养他们的问题解决能力具有重要作用;其三,技能型问题解决不应被看作是只在培养专长过程的初期才会出现,而应被视为在系统1模式与系统2模式中平行发展的一个过程。总结以上观点,综合学习设计模式完全可以用来促进此三种类型的问题解决,并其本回答了问题解决最好应该怎样教的问题。     

融合教育中的同伴作用策略

同伴作用是融合教育中需要予以特别重视的问题,其决定着融合教育的质量,它可以分担教师的工作压力和拓展融合教育的发展。常用的同伴作用策略有同伴指导、合作学习和反向融合。同伴作用策略的实施应着眼于满足残障儿童的特殊需要,形成系统的计划和关注全体学生的发展。     

Private supplementary tutoring among primary students in Bangladesh

Using the databases created under Education Watch, a civil society initiative to monitor primary and basic education in Bangladesh, this paper explores trends, socioeconomic differentials and cost in private supplementary tutoring among primary students and its impact on learning achievement. The rate of primary school students getting access to private supplementary tutoring is increasing at two percentage points per year and reached 31% in 2005. Incidence of private tutoring was greater among boys and urban students than respective counterparts. Educated parents and well‐off families were more likely to arrange supplementary tutoring for their children. A wide variation in the cost for private tutoring prevailed. The tutees spent 46% of their total private expenditure for education on supplementary tutoring. Supplementary tutoring helped students learn more than those who had no such support. Private tutors for primary school students have become a well‐accepted norm. Finally, a number of social implications are discussed.     

Demand for private supplementary tutoring: conceptual considerations, and socio-economic patterns in Hong Kong

Despite the fact that in some parts of the world private supplementary tutoring is a huge industry with far-reaching economic, social and educational implications, the topic has been neglected by educational researchers. This paper focuses on the nature and determinants of demand for private supplementary tutoring. It first draws on literature from a wide range of countries to identify some conceptual considerations, and then presents data on socio-economic patterns of demand for tutoring in Hong Kong. It highlights the complexity of the topic, and calls for further detailed research in multiple settings.     

问题解决在线协作学习中的问题设计研究

问题设计是问题解决学习中知识建构的基础,是问题解决学习得以开展的前提条件。首先,研究分析了问题解决在线协作学习所针对的问题,在性质、组成信息等方面的基本特征,并针对上述特征,提出由意义信息、支持信息和知识线索组成的问题设计结构。其次,实证研究部分利用准实验研究的方法,验证了问题设计结构的有效性。实证研究的结论认为,问题设计结构能够增强学习者在线问题解决学习的效果,并提升学习者对学习的主观感知。最后,结合具体的设计经验,研究给出了问题设计的具体策略。     

Beyond intelligent tutoring systems: Using computers as METAcognitive tools to enhance learning?

Framed by the existing theoretical andempirical research on cognitive and intelligenttutoring systems (ITSs), this commentaryexplores two areas not directly or extensivelyaddressed by Akhras and Self (this issue). Thefirst area focuses on the lack of conceptualclarity of the proposed constructivist stanceand its related constructs (e.g., affordances,situations). Specifically, it is argued that aclear conceptualization of the novelconstructivist stance needs to be delineated bythe authors before an evaluation of theirambitious proposal to model situationscomputationally in intelligent learningenvironments (ILEs) can be achieved. The secondarea of exploration deals with the similaritiesbetween the proposed stance and existingapproaches documented in the cognitive,educational computing, and AI in educationliterature. I believe that the authors are at acrossroads, and that their article presents aninitial conceptualization of an important issuerelated to a constructivist-based approach tothe computational modeling of situations inILEs. However, conceptual clarity isdefinitively required in order for theirapproach to be adequately evaluated and used toinform the design of ILEs. As such, I invitethe authors to re-conceptualize their frameworkby addressing how their constructivist stancecan be used to address a particular researchagenda on the use of computers as metacognitivetools to enhance learning.     

Non-diagnostic intelligent tutoring systems: Teaching without student models

The keystones of traditional intelligent tutoring systems (ITSs) have been complex procedures for student diagnosis and adaptive instruction based on diagnostic data. While some of these systems have been shown to be effective, they are also very expensive to develop. This paper describes another class of ITSs, non-diagnostic ITSs, which do little or no student diagnosis, and concentrate their intelligence in other areas. Intelligent features of non-diagnostic ITSs include: modeling of experts' reasoning processes and cognitive representations (often using graphic displays), coaching based on comparison of student and expert performance, and replays and summaries of student performance. While traditional diagnostic ITSs are usually intended to be used in a stand-alone fashion, non-diagnostic tutors are designed to facilitate collaborative learning among students and between teachers and students.This paper presents a framework for comparing the features of non-diagnostic and diagnostic tutors. A number of non-diagnostic and diagnostic ITSs are described, and data on the educational effectiveness of each type of ITS is presented along with estimates of the type and level of development work required for each. Finally, obstacles to wider use of non-diagnostic ITSs are discussed.     

大学教学同行评价:优势、困境与出路

将大学教学同行评价视为一种场域,它具有自身运行逻辑与特点。作为从科学场域中分化出来的子场域,大学教学同行评价承袭了科学场域的惯习,在评价的民主性、专业性和公正性三个方面具有天然的独特优势;但作为一种新生的场域,在发展中又面临场域自主性弱、惯习潜沉、资本不足等方面的困境。走出困境的路径是进行制度构建以提升场域自主性、倡导教师文化以促进惯习更迭、动员资本以增加场域活力。     

面向问题导向学习的3C3R问题设计模型述评

问题导向学习是针对问题解决过程所进行的学习,对于问题导向学习而言,问题设计的有效性直接影响着问题导向学习的成功实施。研究已经表明,在所施行的问题导向学习中,设计的问题并非总是有效的。无效的问题不仅会影响到学生获得足够的领域知识,也会影响到学生问题解决能力或高阶思维能力的发展。美国北达科他州大学洪啤博士于2006年就面向问题导向学习提出了问题设计的3C3R模型。3C3R模型包括两类成分：核心成分和过程成分。核心成分是内容、情境和联系（content,context and connection）,这3个核心成分主要用来支持领域知识的学习,如概念、规则和原理知识。过程成分是探究、推理和反思（researching,reasoning and reflecting）,这3个过程成分则关注学习者的认知学习过程,用来支持学生应用所获得的领域知识来解决复杂问题,发展学生高级思维能力及学生自我导向能力。洪啤博士长期对问题导向学习、问题解决、问题类型与难度、系统思考与建模等主题进行研究,他提出的3C3R模型解决了教学设计者和教师在问题导向学习设计中的实际问题。本文将围绕问题导向学习的本质及其有效性来介绍了3C3R问题设计模型创建的基本观点、构成要件及其应用价值。     

学分制条件下实施导助学制的思考

简述了高等教育实行学分制的必要性及意义,分析了学分制条件下实施导学助学的目的,并对实施导助学制导师的选择条件、职责进行了说明,提出了学分制下建立实施导助学制保障体系的有效途径。