Why do experts disagree? The role of conflict topics and epistemic perspectives in conflict explanations

The present study examined the role of conflict topics and individual differences in epistemic perspectives (absolutism, multiplism, and evaluativism) in students' explanations of expert conflicts. University students (N = 184) completed an epistemic thinking assessment and a conflict explanation assessment regarding two controversies in biology and history. Additionally, thirty students were interviewed and provided detailed conflict explanations that were used to interpret and extend the quantitative results. In the biology problem, conflicts were predominantly attributed to topic complexity and to research methods. In the history problem, conflicts were also predominantly attributed to topic complexity, but also to researchers' personal backgrounds and motivations. Epistemic perspectives were related to specific conflict explanations, suggesting that these perspectives have a role beyond topic differences. Thus, both conflict topics and epistemic perspectives shape lay explanations of experts' conflicts. The findings highlight differences in students’ interpretations of the roles experts play in knowledge construction.     

基于ASP的毕业设计选题系统研究

采用ASP技术与数据库技术结合,设计了一个毕业设计选题系统。该系统不仅方便学校管理,使学校摆脱原始的手工毕业选题管理模式,从而将最新的管理手段应用于毕业设计选题的管理上。     

Selection and evaluation of Internet information by adults with intellectual disabilities

Internet offers people with intellectual disabilities (ID) unique opportunities to access information and to participate in society. But concerns have been raised about the potential risks they face when accessing the Internet (e.g. giving credit to false information, being exposed to manipulative content). As part of the current debate between positive risk-taking and overprotection, our study empirically tested the extent to which 43 adults with ID identified and selected topically relevant as well as trustworthy web pages while searching the Internet for several topics (e.g. Can social networks use your pictures for advertisement?). Participants also justified their search decisions. Results revealed that while searching familiar topics (i.e. social networks), participants selected more relevant and trustworthy pages than irrelevant and less trustworthy ones. Searches of less familiar topics (i.e. daily health), were carried out randomly, that is, without applying a specific criterion. Results point to the importance of topic familiarity on people’s with ID performance on Internet searching tasks. This pattern of results suggests that, first, we should avoid overprotection when people with ID search for familiar topics and, second, they need more support when searching for information about less familiar topics.     

毕业设计选题系统的构建与实现

针对传统毕业设计选题方式中工作量大和质量不高的问题,根据二级审核后师生双向选择的思想,实现了一个集成专业适合度、学生兴趣度和教师期望值的毕业设计选题系统。经过管理员初始参数设定、教师课题申报、学生选题和赋兴趣度值、教师赋期望值、系统分配课题等步骤实现了毕业设计课题的双向选择和按兴趣分配。实际效果表明,该系统可有效地提高选题的效率和师生满意度。     

Topic variability and criteria in interpretational history teaching

This paper studies the teacher perceived applicability of historical topics for interpretational history teaching and the criteria teachers use to evaluate this applicability. For this study, 15 expert history teachers in the Netherlands striving for interpretational history teaching were purposefully selected. Teachers were asked to mention historical topics using a ranking task technique to rank topics in order of applicability and to elaborate on how the topics were ranked. The results showed a large variation in perceived applicability among topics, both within and between teachers. Eight different topic-applicability criteria were discerned in the teachers’ elaborations: (1) topic knowledge; (2) topic affinity; (3) topic constructedness; (4) topic deconstructability; (5) topic abstractedness; (6) topic sensitivity; (7) topic materials; and (8) topic inclusion in the history curriculum. We found that teachers tended to judge topics as applicable for interpretational history teaching partly depending on the degree of ‘canonised interpretativity’ in lesson materials and the curriculum, and to the degree to which they belonged to ‘cold’ (morally neutral) or ‘hot’ (morally sensitive) history. A theoretical implication of the findings is that interpretational history teaching is topic-dependent. Teachers can be supported to teach history as interpretation by structured pedagogies.     

The Intellectual Demands and Coherency of Topics of Reformed Primary Science Curricula from Three East-Asian Regions

The intended curriculum is arguably one of the most important components within any national educational system although those in primary science have not been subject to extensive research scrutiny. Based on reformed primary science curricula from Hong Kong, mainland China, and Taiwan, we compared them on two key features: (1) levels of knowledge and cognitive processes from their learning outcomes, and (2) coherency of topics that influence the ease, meaningfulness, and quality of learning in the subject. In the former, we coded their intellectual demands (i.e., what learners must know and do) using revised Bloom’s taxonomy while for the latter, we investigated the coverage, focus, sequence, and emphasis of topics across grades. We found that curricula from Hong Kong and mainland China generally focused on the first two levels of knowledge domains and cognitive processes while Taiwanese learning outcomes were predominantly coded as Apply. Different aspects of coherency in the intended curriculum revealed which topics were covered, their focus, and sequencing across grade divisions as well as their emphasis of topics. Our empirical research therefore adds to the small number of comparative studies in primary science curricula. It can also practically assist policy- and curriculum-making in these regions as they seek to understand and develop quality curricula in primary science.

     

Science Trainee Teachers' Pedagogical Content Knowledge and its Influence on Physics Teaching

This study examined Malaysian science teachers' pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) of selected physics concepts. The two components of PCK investigated were (i) knowledge of students' understanding, conceptions and misconceptions of topics, and (ii) knowledge of strategies and representations for teaching particular topics. The participants were 12 trainee teachers from various academic science backgrounds attending a one-year postgraduate teacher-training course. They were interviewed on selected basic concepts in physics that are found in the Malaysian Integrated Science curriculum for lower secondary level. The findings showed that trainee teachers' PCK for promoting conceptual understanding is limited. They lacked the ability to transform their understanding of basic concepts in physics required to teach lower secondary school science pupils. The trainees' level of content knowledge affected their awareness of pupils' likely misconceptions. Consequently, the trainees were unable to employ the appropriate teaching strategies required to explain the scientific ideas. This study provides some pedagogical implications for the training of science teachers.     

Interplay of Various Methodologies is Good for Identifying Cultures of Physics Education

In this Reply to the Letter to the Editor, it is emphasized that scientific inquiry requires a cyclic interplay of quantitative and qualitative methods. Furthermore, it is stressed out that the results of the predominantly quantitative study could be a basis for designing detailed qualitative studies of country-specific cultures of physics education. The overlooked fact that students from Slovenia were not taught about two topics related to ‘Electricity and magnetism’, did not compromise the results of differential item functioning/differential group functioning procedures, at all. The big majority of conclusions related to causes of students' differential achievement profiles were not affected either.     

Teaching,learning and the curriculum 1: The influence of content in science

Summary There are already a number of important criteria upon which topics for inclusion in science curricula should be selected and sequenced. We have recommended two additional criteria: the topic's potential for effecting conceptual change, and its potential for generating metacognitive training. Among other things, Science curricula should foster intellectual development. Such development is often a slow process of change, where new experiences, skills and understandings build on, modify and extend existing ones. Thus, topics should be evaluated in terms of their relation to existing Children's Science and to the students' metacognitive abilities. Evaluation of the appropriateness of a particular topic in a curriculum sequence should be based on such factors as its conceptual concreteness, the number and breadth of models which can be invoked, the concreteness of corroboration of results, and its predictive power. Conjointly, evaluation should take into account the nature, scope and complexity of the associated metacognitive demands. If selected carefully, topics in the science curriculum will do more than progressively sample the universe of content areas. They will develop each students ability and desire to engage in effective, independent learning.     

Becoming researchers: doctoral students' developmental processes

A key step in the development of skills to conduct independent research is the ability to develop topics of interest into research studies that examine problems of significance in a field of study. This qualitative interview study conducted in the USA examined how seven novice qualitative researchers who had taken course work in qualitative research methods selected topics for research and developed these into studies for dissertation research. Findings identify processes contributing to novice researchers' abilities to conceptualize their topics as significant. These processes include recognizing the need to integrate their interests in existing disciplinary fields, learning that occurred through the practice of fieldwork, applying guidance from advisors and committee members, and developing a deeper understanding of the relationship of their studies to existing research. The paper suggests points of tension for new scholars in the development of research topics, exploring how doctoral supervisors and instructors might assist students in learning how to design and conduct qualitative studies for doctoral research.     

The role of educational psychology in teacher education: expert opinions on what teachers should know about learning, development, and assessment

The aim of this study is to identify psychological topics within the areas of learning, development, and assessment that are especially important for teachers and should be included in the university teacher education curriculum. Based on the observation that teacher educators in psychology often face the challenge of having to select certain topics from a large body of possible content, at the risk of causing large variation of knowledge between teachers, we asked 48 experts from different fields of teacher education (psychologists, non-psychologists at university, and educators from the induction phase) to evaluate psychological topics with respect to their importance to teaching. In the following two rounds (Delphi method), experts selected topics which they felt should be taught at university. Although differences existed at the beginning, a ranking of topics was obtained. Further, we explored the way experts with different backgrounds achieved consensus to support the validity and acceptance of the results. Concluding, we discuss the usefulness of the results with a focus on the acquisition of psychological knowledge for teachers and to foster the position of educational psychology within teacher education.     

What is the students’ interest in biology after the biology curriculum modification?

Decreasing interest in Science among students, confirmed by several investigations, calls for the need to revise the contents of the curricula for Science subjects, including Biology. Modern Biology curricula should not only contain key biological concepts but also provide a teacher with sufficient space to develop students’ competencies of scientific work and positive attitudes to Science. When preparing the curriculum, it is necessary to consider also students’ interest in selected curriculum topics and their benefit for everyday life. The objective of our research was to identify whether the performed transformation of the Biology curriculum for elementary schools increased the students’ interest in Biology and the contents thereof. We were also investigating students’ preferences in their interest in Biology topics and their interest in selected teaching methods and approaches. Our research confirmed the positive interest in Biology among majority of students who prefer direct, active participation in the process of knowledge acquisition through the study and exploration of living organisms as well as by the execution and assessment of practicals and experiments.     

Post‐School educational opportunities for disabled young adults

Abstract

Students in the penultimate year of a Biology degree produced pilot videos on microbiological topics using camcorders. Videos were intended for use as school teaching aids: the ‘best’ video was selected for subsequent professional production. The organisation, assessment and evaluation of the project are described.     

我国当前外国教育史研究近况考察——对近六年《教育史研究》相关论文的量化分析

以我国（教育史研究）杂志近六年刊发的外国教育史类论文为研究对象，就这些论文的数量、选题分布状况、刊载论文作者单位和地区分布、论文合撰程度、引文文献情况以及研究方法等进行分项统计，展示了我国当前外国教育史研究的焦点和热点问题，并从这一角度探讨了我国外国教育史学科近六年发展的基本动向。     

The international criminal court: A guide for criminal justice educators

The International Criminal Court formalizes a legal system which transcends national boundaries. This paper provides instructors desiring to incorporate discussions of the court into their classes with a summary of key topics. Among the topics covered are a brief history of the establishment of the court, its structure, operation, and jurisdiction, U.S. opposition to the court, and the limited role the court can play in combating terrorism. Appendices provide a timeline of the development of international criminal law, information on other sources of law regarding terrorism, and a list of selected sources for further information on the court.     

基于大学文化研究聚类主题词反思大学使命

以《中国期刊全文数据库》核心期刊中有关“大学文化”研究的论文作为原始数据源,使用CiteSpace II软件绘制时间线图,以研究主题为标签词标示文献聚类,析出凸显主题;在数据统计的基础上,参照引用频次、徒增性和高中心性等指标选择若干关键词,并对其阐释分析;阅读每一聚类的所属文献,把析出的研究主题词通过逻辑图的形式加以呈现,并形象解读;进而加深对大学文化相关研究的理解,深刻反思大学所肩负的神圣使命。     

新疆题材当代文学作品的教育价值

新疆题材当代文学作品从1963年即入选了中学语文教科书,在随后的五十年里,一直在语文教科书中占有一席之地。语文是我国基础教育中的主干课程,语文教科书对受教育者的行为修养有着很大的影响,教科书中的新疆题材当代文学作品,从《哈密瓜的故乡》,到《天山景物记》,再到进入二十一世纪后的多样选文,这些新疆题材作品分别体现着号召青年开发边疆、热爱祖国关丽河山、关注人文情感、增强环保意识等思想主题,具有独特的教育价值。     

Analyzing on-line video club discussions focused on formative assessment

The goal of this qualitative study was to examine teacher noticing of specific interactions related to the formative assessment process during teachers' participation in an on-line video club. Nineteen teachers used an electronic video coaching platform, Edthena to view peers' videos and provide electronic feedback specific to the formative assessment process. Seven hundred and twenty-seven comments by participants were analyzed for both topics of comments related to interactive formative assessment and the type of response. The findings revealed that comments within the on-line video club focused predominantly on one aspect of formative assessment, questioning. Additionally, teachers were most comfortable validating fellow teachers' practices as opposed to providing recommendations for future practice. Implications for future use of on-line video clubs are included.     

Investigating Randomness via Simulation Using the TI‐83

Most students do not have a good grasp of the consequences of randomness. Simulating random phenomena with unexpected outcomes sparks student interest and discussion when presenting probability topics in class. TI‐83 programs for simulating selected random phenomena are available from the author.     

Photo essay: The border is …

Based on autobiographical data, the paper describes six ideal types of teacher identities conceived as different patterns of perceiving and coping with professional demands. One hundred and twenty full‐time seventh through ninth grade teachers were selected in a stratified random sample. Teachers’ experience ranged from 5 to 29 years and 12.5% of the selected teachers were female. Data were collected in the form of semi‐structured interviews that started with a short overview of the interviewee's professional biography [Stegreiferzählung]and continued with self‐image and attitudes, social and professional mobility, vocation, start as a classroom teacher, professional competence, best years and burn‐out, professional satisfaction, and social network questions. The first step of data analysis included content and frequency analyses of these topics. In a second step, the Stegreiferzahlungwas analyzed by classifying the different biographical phases and defining biographical types. In a third step, identity‐types were constructed by using the biographical type as an “independent” variable to analyze the systematically explored topics according to Mex Weber's method of forming ideal types. This led to the six ideal types of teacher identity: the stabilization‐type, the development‐type, the diversification‐type, the problem‐type, the crisis‐type, and the resignation‐type.