Predicting Student Growth in Mathematical Content Knowledge

Abstract

Using national longitudinal data, the authors investigated factors related to student learning or growth in statistics, algebra, and geometry in middle school and high school. The authors used hierarchical linear models to model variation in student rate of growth with factors associated with student characteristics and instructional and environmental factors. In addition, the authors designed the study to identify factors that differentially affect student growth at different levels of secondary school (middle school vs. high school) and for different mathematical content areas (statistics, algebra, geometry). Results indicated substantial growth in all 3 content areas in both middle school and high school. Factors related to student learning were identified and found to differ by level of secondary school and content area.     

Sharing Knowledge and Skills

Abstract

School-based practitioners, including social workers in social service centers for youth, are responsible for helping Ukrainian families and children cope with the consequences of the 1986 Chornobyl power plant disaster. In this paper we describe the design and implementation of intensive training seminars for these practitioners. We used a collaborative educational method that we have found useful for training social workers in Vietnam and the United States to create empowering learning environments. Preliminary feedback suggested that the training was successful, and participants acquired new knowledge and skills.     

Transition to Kindergarten: Family Experiences and Involvement

The transition to kindergarten is an important developmental milestone for young children, their families, and teachers. Preparing students for successful kindergarten transition has been identified as a national priority, yet the degree to which parents are involved in kindergarten preparation is rarely considered. This study investigated the family experiences and involvement in kindergarten transition in 132 families whose children had completed early education programs and were beginning kindergarten. Results suggest that the majority of families wanted more involvement in the transition to kindergarten planning and wanted information about kindergarten readiness, including academic and behavioral expectations. The top concerns expressed by families were attending a new school and difficulties with following directions or other behavior problems. Families with fewer financial resources reported less involvement in transition activities than families with more resources. Implications for early childhood education are discussed, in light of the growing emphasis on parent involvement and kindergarten readiness. The present work was supported, in part, by a Science of Learning Center Catalyst grant (0350341) from the National Science Foundation awarded to the second and third authors.     

博士生可迁移能力培养:张力及消解

注重可迁移能力的培养已经成为最近三十年主要博士生培养国家的教育新动向。改革的形式多种多样,其主要目的在于应对博士就业多元化的趋势。在改革实践中,存在着多种张力。可迁移能力的概念本身就存在理解多元化和外延泛化的缺陷。培养博士生可迁移能力的缘由存在"短板论"和"全人论"的冲突。培养模式存在"附加式"和"融入式"的争议。可迁移能力的评价则有分散式和整合式的差异。应正视这些张力并从培养单位和博士生自身角度进行有针对性的消解。     

Public Speaking: Reducing Student Apprehension and Improving Oral Skills

In this article, the author compares the potential academic and attitudinal gains of a gifted and talented population using different instructional methods. It has been found that instruction for identified high-achieving students must be different than that of general education students. Gifted and talented students cannot maximize learning opportunities unless they are appropriately challenged and motivated to learn. When gifted learners are lethargic and disinterested in learning, better-matched instruction is needed. Using contract activity packages with a gifted and talented population will support high-end learners in the classroom. During this project, the contract activity packages method of instruction provided the children with choice, flexibility, and challenged them at a higher level than they experienced through traditional lessons.     

口译的基本知识和技能培养

随着社会对外语口译人才需求量的加大,口译教学在高等院校方兴未艾。对口译学习者而言,了解基本的口译理论是学习者参与口译实践不可或缺的知识。通过介绍口译在人脑中的工作方式、口译的模式、口译的训练和口译人员的素质要求,可以初步阐明口译的基本知识及其技能培养。     

实践性知识：师范生亟需加强的知识模块

教师的实践性知识是一种经验性知识、案例性知识，它的形成和积累与教师具体的教育教学情景和经验有关。但是就目前我国师范教育的状况看，师范生的实践性知识模块是其知识结构中比较薄弱的一个板块。究其原因与我国师范教育的课程体系、课程设置有关。师范生实践性知识的获得可以通过师范教育课程和教学改革来实现。     

Educational Assessment Knowledge and Skills for Teachers

The 1990 Standards for Teacher Competence in Educational Assessment of Students ( AFT, NCME, & NEA, 1990 ) made a documentable contribution to the field. However, the Standards have become a bit dated, most notably in two ways: (1) the Standards do not consider current conceptions of formative assessment knowledge and skills, and (2) the Standards do not consider teacher knowledge and skills required to successfully work in the current accountability and “standards‐based reform” context. This article briefly reviews the 1990 Standards and their influence, describes some other lists of assessment knowledge and skills that might be considered in updating them, and then proposes educational assessment knowledge and skills for teachers that reflect current teacher assessment needs. This set of competencies should help focus the work of teachers, teacher supervisors, professional developers, teacher educators, and others responsible for teachers’ assessment knowledge and skills.     

Behavior-Based Student Typology: A View from Student Transition from High School to College

Research in Higher Education - Several recent studies have successfully identified college student typologies based on individuals’ behaviors. One limitation of past studies has been their...     

我国高职院校技能大赛的调查研究与思考

高职院校技能大赛是适应产业升级换代和企业用工向技术密集型转变的客观要求而产生的,是高职院校与现代产业生产工艺紧密对接的客观要求,也是我国职业教育应对新常态的重大制度设计。大赛由行业企业提供专家、技术规范和相应设备的做法可有效地推动高职院校产教融合、工学交替人才培养模式改革,使技能大赛与专业教学改革对接、行业企业技术标准与课堂教学内容对接。多年的大赛运行在制度设计、专业及课程建设、社会影响力等方面取得了丰硕成果,但也面临大赛办赛模式不够成熟,赛项资源利用效率低下、激励政策缺位以及“赛、教、学”融合度低等一系列问题。探讨解决我国高职院校技能大赛问题的政策措施对于促进大赛的可持续发展具有重要意义。     

Institutional Research: Knowledge,Skills, and Perceptions of Effectiveness

Terenzini (1993) approached the issue of institutional research effectiveness by articulating three tiers of organizational intelligence necessary for effective institutional researchers. Responses (n = 601) from a nationwide survey of AIR members provided for an empirical investigation based on this concept. The study examined the existence and acquisition of examples of institutional research knowledge and skills and how they relate to perceptions of effectiveness. Participants indicated that they were effective in their functions and reported that they possessed examples of the technical, issues, and (to a lesser extent) contextual knowledge and skills articulated by Terenzini. Multiple regression revealed the relationships between background characteristics, knowledge and skills in institutional research, and perceptions of effectiveness to be minimal, however. The authors conclude that an institutional researcher's effectiveness can perhaps only be adequately evaluated relative to institutional culture and expectations and leaders' personalities and orientation toward decision making.     

Present and Accounted for: Improving Student Attendance Through Family and Community Involvement

Abstract

Reducing student absenteeism and truancy is a goal of many schools across the country. Surprisingly little research focuses on what schools can do to increase and sustain students' daily attendance, and even fewer studies explore how family-school-community partnerships may contribute to this goal. In this longitudinal study, data were collected on schools' rates of daily student attendance and chronic absenteeism and on specific partnership practices that were implemented to help increase or sustain student attendance. Results indicate that several family-school-community partnership practices predict an increase in daily attendance, a decrease in chronic absenteeism, or both. The data suggest that schools may be able to increase student attendance in elementary school by implementing specific family and community involvement activities.     

浅议化学知识与技能的积极迁移

本文讨论了怎样促进知识与技能的积极迁移,提出了要重视概括性教学,突出知识的相互关联,促使实验操作技能与心智技能的协同迁移,并克服知识与技能的消极迁移,提高学生解决问题的指向性和灵活性水平.     

营销策划教学创新技能与策略探讨

作为一门创新性、实践性很强的课程,营销策划的教学目的主要是使学生掌握和提升营销策划的技能,学会实操营销策划项目。结合教学目标与课程特点,归纳出营销策划的三种技能要求;提出了四种教学策略:创意激发策略、抛锚教学策略、团队学习策略、开放教学策略;尝试五种具体方式:校外项目实践;校内创业实践;课堂实践训练;参与教师课题研究;社会实践与科技活动。     

Causes of Wrongful Conviction: Looking at Student Knowledge

The current study investigates the impact of a criminal justice education on student knowledge about wrongful conviction. Past research has found fallibility of hard evidence (e.g., eyewitness misidentification), police and lawyer behaviors (e.g., tunnel vision), and social group discrimination to be underlying causes of wrongful conviction. We developed a survey to investigate student knowledge of these underlying causes, comparing participants in different years and programs of study. The findings suggest that criminal justice majors were at times more aware of the underlying causes of wrongful conviction than noncriminal justice majors, specifically in regards to the fallibility of hard evidence and social group discrimination. Criminal justice majors were not more knowledgeable in the areas of police and lawyer behavior. The implications of these findings are discussed in terms of the scope of criminal justice education and future careers in criminal justice.     

Examining the Relationship Between Parental Involvement and Student Motivation

Parent involvement has a sound research base attesting to the many potential benefits it can offer in education. However, student motivation as an academic outcome of parental involvement has only recently been investigated. The purpose of this article is to show how parent involvement is related to students motivation. Studies of students from the elementary school to high school show a beneficial relationship between parental involvement and the following motivational constructs: school engagement, intrinsic/extrinsic motivation, perceived competence, perceived control, self-regulation, mastery goal orientation, and motivation to read. From the synthesis of the parent involvement and motivation literature, we offer potential explanations for their relationship. Directions for areas of continued research are also presented.     

Motivation and Education: The Self-Determination Perspective

Self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 1985, 1991), when applied to the realm of education, is concerned primarily with promoting in students an interest in learning, a valuing of education, and a confidence in their own capacities and attributes. These outcomes are manifestations of being intrinsically motivated and internalizing values and regulatory processes. Research suggests that these processes result in high-quality learning and conceptual understanding, as well as enhanced personal growth and adjustment. In this article we also describe social-contextual factors that nurture intrinsic motivation and promote internalization, leading to the desired educational outcomes.