The effective teaching of comparing Orff music method with traditional music approach for music reading and melodic patterns singing for 3rd grade elementary students in Taiwan

The Orff music method has been internationally practiced and recognized as one of the leading music methods in the past fifty years. The success of this approach is that this method encourages all students participating in the designed music activities in the music class to interact with the teacher and other classmates using the Orff approach rather than the traditional one-way music learning approach in the traditional music classroom in Asia. While the children are situated within an environment where music activities and bodily movements are stimulated, the children＇s aesthetic music knowledge can be influenced significantly （Carlson, 1990）. In this study, there were a total number of 180 3rd graders from three elementary schools in Taiwan who participated in this research. The control group which consisted of three classes with a total number of 90 students was the class using the traditional music method taught by a regular classroom teacher, while the experimental group, which consisted of another three classes with a total number of 90 students, was the class taught using the Orff music method by the researcher. The study was controlled in the sense that the six music classes were ascertained to be of equal ability in their understanding of music before the experimental factor was applied. As well, there were no significant differences in age or mental capacity, while the difference in genders was only minimal. The results of this research revealed that not only did the students who had the Orff music method training perform better than the traditional music method on both melodic patterns dictation and music reading tests, but the Orff training also helped the experimental students to have a solid understanding of rhythmic structures and basic music knowledge.     

The Research of Cooperative Learning Effects on College Students＇ Learning Anxiety

Since Krashen put forward the Affective Filter Hypothesis, more and more concern has been paid to the anxiety problem in Second and foreign language teaching and learning. Meanwhile, CL （cooperative learning） has gained much attention in recent years, both at home and abroad. Most researches （Oxford ＆ Ehrman, 1993; Kagan, 1994; Slavin, 1995） on CL indicated that CL is a classroom procedure which can lower anxiety and improve learning outcomes. Although the researches abroad have suggested that CL has a positive impact on reducing foreign language learning anxiety, few empirical researches on CL have been conducted in China. Moreover, according to the author＇s observation, anxiety is most obvious in oral English activities. Therefore, this thesis attempts to investigate some Chinese non-English freshmen＇s foreign language learning anxiety. Two classes are involved in the study： one as the experimental class instructed with CL method, the other as the control class taught with the traditional teaching method. By using a classical instrument, the FLCAS （foreign language classroom anxiety scale）, this study examined the subjects＇ foreign language learning anxiety. According to the analysis and comparison of the first and second FLCAS, the author finds CL has a significant effect on reducing students＇ foreign language learning anxiety.     

A Study on English Reading Teaching With Cooperative Learning By Means of Task-Based Teaching in Higher Vocational Education

Higher Vocational Education(HVE) is an important component of higher education in our country.The English Curriculum Standard of HVE considers promoting the students’ reading comprehension as one of the most important goals in English teaching.Task-based CL emphasizes the importance of education as a vehicle for teaching citizens to live cooperatively in a social democracy and teachers are not the only sources of knowledge and students should be able to help each other and learn in an interdependent way.The heart of cooperative learning is student-centered.Therefore,task-based CL can overcome the shortcomings in traditional teaching models,and the goal of improving reading comprehension can be achieved for the teachers of reading by realizing the mental process of reading comprehension and how prior knowledge can enhance a reader’s interaction with the text through CL.This thesis consists of five parts.Part one,two and three briefly introduces the background and significance of the study,definitions and models of cooperative learning and reading comprehension.Part four and five are the key sections of the thesis,which introduces the hypotheses,subjects,instrument,procedure of the study and the analysis of the results of the study.Part five draws the conclusion of the study.     

Contextualized Grammar Pedagogy： Integrating Grammar Into Writing Instruction

Grammar is an important aspect of English language pedagogy in China and is taught as a subject of study in Chinese primary and high schools. Despite studying grammar for several years, however, high school graduates find it difficult to express their ideas in English especially when they are asked to write essays at university. This article reports a study that investigates students＇ views regarding the study of grammar when contextualized to their writing courses. It was found that students appreciate contextualized study of grammar as opposed to isolated learning of grammar using memorization, drills, and practices. The study suggests that a shift in the aims and methods of teaching English in high schools is necessary if students＇ preferences, which are consistent with research literature in second language teaching, are to be taken into consideration.     

Improving the reading ability of science students through study groups and multiple intelligences

This study explored the effects of appropriate pedagogical skills （study groups and multiple intelligences） on students＇ efficiencies in reading skills. It employed a factorial design using three variables. A sample of 90 science students choosing from three intact classes were involved in the study. Data analyses were carried out using mean, standard deviation, analysis of covariance and multiple classification analysis. Findings revealed the significant difference in performance of the groups taught using study groups and multiple intelligences methods.     

Students＇ Difficulties With Multiple Representations in Introductory Mechanics

Research in physics education indicates that the use of multiple representations in teaching and learning helps students become better problem-solvers. We report on a study to investigate students＇ difficulties in solving mechanics problems presented in multiple representations. We conducted teaching/learning interviews with 20 students in a first-semester calculus-based physics course which covered introductory classical mechanics. Each student was interviewed four times during the semester, each time after they had completed an exam in the course. During these interviews, students were asked to solve a problem they had seen in the exam, followed by problems that differed in the type of representation from the exam problems. Students were provided verbal hints to solve the new problems. We discuss the common difficulties students encountered when attempting to solve problems in different representations and some common themes in students＇ performance.     

The Application of Cooperative Learning in Improving Rural Senior High Students’ English

English teaching method has been improved and the effect of teaching has become greater these years in China,but it is not satis fying.Therefore,adopting experiment approach,the present study aims to solve the question:Can cooperative learning bring effect to the English learning? It chooses two classes from a rural school,one is experimental group which adopts cooperative-learning approach,the other is control group which adopts traditional approach.Focusing on the analysis and comparativeness of their two tests’ scores,it studies the influence of cooperative learning on psychology,learning environment and learning which bring to the English learners,making a con clusion that the application of cooperative learning can greatly improve English learning.     

VOCABULARY TEACHING FOR NON—ENGLISH MAJORS

Introduction "How can we enlarge the students' vocabulary?" This is a very essential problem in the teaching of Enslish as a foreign language for non-English majors in our college. Firstly, their English level is low, They are not only lack of linguistic patterns, grammar rules, but also vocabulary, Secondly, they have only three hours of intensive reading every week, They should pass 2-grade college English examination through two years studying of English. Thirdly, botn the teachers and students are in very passive position in English language teaching and learning. Almost every lesson begins with vocabulary, then text reading comprehension, and exercises, which based on the traditional method.     

Teaching English Grammar Through Communicative Language Teaching Approach

Grammar is an important part of language learning. In order for students to have a functional knowledge of a language (in other words, that they can spontaneously produce language) they must have at least some knowledge about the grammatical constructs of the language in question. How grammar can be taught? Considering various second language teaching methods, teaching grammar through Communicative Language Teaching Approach is the most talked. Emphasis in this article is put on the application of Communicative Language Teaching Approach in grammar teaching in college English classes.     

Research and Study on Cooperative Learning with special Reference to Vocational Students of Practical English class

This paper covers an experimental study with the application of cooperative learning in the college English teaching to vocational students. It intends to find answers to the following questions: how do students cooperate in cooperative learning? Can cooperative learning promote students’ learning? The author conducts an experiment by applying recording. Based on the above research work, this result has been reached: cooperative learning can promote students’mastering of vocabulary and grammar. The author would like to share her experiences with others in pedagogical studies of teaching vocational college students English.     

Helping Students to Internalize the Grammar Rules Through Communicative Activities

English grammar tends to be treated as a kind of knowledge explained and transmitted at tertiary level in China.Students engage in memorizing grammar rules,but they are unable to use them correctly and appropriately when speaking and writing.This article attempts to help students to make use of the rules through meaningful practice in grammar class.It is based on communicative approach and of a kind of eclecticism.The activities mentioned provide students with some opportunities to interact in classroom and use knowledge of English grammar in social contexts in which communication takes place and through which the rules will be internalized accordingly.     

Effectiveness of Cooperative Learning in College English Reading Class

Cooperative learning emerging as the leading new approach to classroom instruction abroad over the past decades has been studied by many researchers from all aspects.This paper mainly focuses on the basics of cooperative learning and tries to answer the question that if the use of cooperative learning produce higher achievement than the traditional methods in college English reading class through experimental study.The analysis contributes to better college English teaching and learning.A conclusion is drawn that cooperative learning is very effective in improving college students reading ability.     

EFL teachers＇ factors and students＇ affect

Individual learners＇ affective factors are very important for foreign language learning. In China foreign language learning mainly happens in classroom. Foreign language teachers are the organizers and carriers of language classes, and thus they inevitably influence the students＇ affection. This study explores how EFL teachers influence students＇ affect, what the teachers should do to develop and make good use of students＇ positive affect, and what the teachers should do to avoid the negative affect and facilitate its possible transformation into the positive.     

Hands on group work paper model for teaching DNA structure,central dogma and recombinant DNA

Understanding life on a molecular level is greatly enhanced when students are given the opportunity to visualize the molecules. Especially understanding DNA structure and function is essential for understanding key concepts of molecular biology such as DNA, central dogma and the manipulation of DNA. Researches have shown that undergraduate students typically lack a coherent view of concepts and their relationships when studying molecular biology within instruction-based lecture with no other pedagogical applications. In this study, we have designed an experimental to investigate the effect of a hands on paper models exercise within group work （Jigsaw Cooperative learning） on student biology teachers＇ academic achievement and attitudes to biotechnologies. Our goal was to develop a manipulative activity using inexpensive but graphic materials. The sample for this study consisted of 42 student teachers in the department of Biology Education during the 2005-2006 academic year. We have divided the students in two different classes. One of the classes was randomly assigned as the non-paper model （control, n=21） and the other as the paper model group （n=21）. In experimental group cut and paste paper models exercise within cooperative groups, in control group traditional instructional design has been applied in teaching DNA structure, Central Dogma and Recombinant DNA. The posttests of the groups in achievement and attitudes to biotechnologies show significant differences. The results indicated that the paper model group was more successful than the non-paper group.     

A Survey on College Students’ English Learning Motivation and the Learning Results

This survey has been processed on 78 graduate students in grade 2010, majoring in science and engineer, from different classes. By analyzing the results of College English Test 4 and questionnaire, it shows that the students’ English learning motivation roots in Certificate. Differences between the winners and losers are not reflected in the time they have used to study, but the learning motivation they possess.     

Learners＇ and teachers＇ conceptions and dispositions of mathematics from a Middle Eastern perspective

The paper discusses an on-going research project that studies students＇ and teachers＇ conceptions and dispositions of mathematics. Conceptions are the views that students hold on a subject, and what they believe is required in learning and doing the subject. Dispositions are the beliefs or tendencies to exhibit a frequent, conscious and voluntary behavior directed towards learning a subject. The participants are high school students, higher education students and mathematics teachers. The study utilizes self-reporting tools as well as focus groups and interviews in a three-stage research model. This is a work on progress. Results to date are briefly discussed.     

An Investigation of Factors That Contribute to Student Satisfaction From Online Courses＂ An Example of an Online Accounting Course

Although most courses are offered in the traditional synchronous way where teaching and learning mainly take place in the classroom, the Internet has proven to be an effective tool in learning. The demand of online courses is constantly growing, however, there is a paucity of research of online delivery success factors, especially of accounting courses. The aim of this paper was to investigate＇the factors that contribute to student satisfaction from online teaching and learning of an accounting course. This study was conducted at a university in the United States （U.S.） amongst 80 students enrolled in an online accounting course over a period of two semesters. The quantitative data are based on the students＇ course evaluation forms of the instructor＇s teaching and overall satisfaction with the course. The findings suggest that the students found the asynchronous online teaching and learning interesting and challenging. The factors that mainly contribute to student satisfaction include the instructor＇s preparation for the course and her availability to students, the clear grading criteria, the assignment which they found useful, and the other resources that were available online. They value the least the development of writing skills. Additionally, this study proposes that there is a positive significant correlation between the instructor＇s overall performance and the overall student satisfaction from the course. The instructor＇s performance, availability, and easy to use technology enhance the learning and teaching from online pedagogies.     

Application of Task-based Approach in English Reading Classes in Senior Middle School

The traditional teaching approach is teacher-oriented,giving priority to grammar and lexical usage and neglecting the development of students’linguistic ability.The task-based approach is based on tasks and its prominent feature is"learning by doing and learning by using".By accomplishing tasks in target language,students can obtain linguistic knowledge and improve linguistic ability.This thesis is based on task-based approach,referring to English compulsory textbooks in senior middle school,exploring the application of task-based approach in intensive reading classes and providing case studies.     

Relationship Between Teacher Factors and Student Achievement： A Correlational Study of Secondary Schools

Teachers always played a significant role in the intellectual and moral development of students by using various techniques, assessments, and methods to improve student achievement in school＇s subjects. This study therefore focuses on the effect of teacher factors, such as assessment interval, communication language, the distance of residence, and the teacher＇s personal characteristics （gender, age, academic and professional qualification, designation, experience, and in-service training） on the 9th grade students＇ achievement in three subjects （English, Chemistry, and Mathematics at secondary level）. The population of the study is comprised of all ＂public sector＂ secondary schools, male and female teachers, and boy and girl students. A total number of 16 secondary schools （eight for boys and eight for girls）, 114 secondary school teachers （66 males and 48 females）, and 2,404 students （1,400 boys and 1,004 girls） were selected through purposive sampling techniques. Multiple statistical procedures, Spearman and Pearson correlation, mean, and standard deviation were employed to obtain stronger validity to the study. The results of the study identify weak and negative weak relationship between most of the teacher factors and student achievement in three subjects but the relationship between students＇ background and learning achievement in all three subjects were found positively correlated.