Investigating secondary school students’ unmediated peer assessment skills

The purpose of this study was to investigate secondary school students’ unmediated peer assessment skills. Specifically, 36 seventh graders, without receiving any kind of support, were anonymously assigned to reciprocally assess their peers’ science web-portfolios. Additionally, students’ attitudes towards and intentions about the use of unsupported reciprocal peer assessment were examined. Three data sources were used, namely, interviews, screen-video captured data, and the peer assessors’ feedback produced. Findings showed that the students have positive attitudes towards unsupported reciprocal peer assessment and that they intend to implement it again. It was also found that students have the skills, at least the beginnings, needed for the implementation of peer assessment. Specifically, they were found to be able to define and use their own assessment criteria, whose overall validity and reliability, however, were found to be low. Finally, the feedback they produced included grades, positive and negative judgments, as well as suggestions for changes.     

元认知对中学生运动技能学习的影响研究

本文首先对元认知及元认知在体育领域的发展现状进行了阐述,并采用调查法对长春市初中生使用元认知的情况及制定实验方案对体育课上学生运用元认知学习运动技能的成绩情况进行分析,从而得出它对体育运动技能学习的重要性。     

Emotional intelligence profiles and learning strategies in secondary school students

The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship among emotional intelligence (EI) and learning strategies, identifying different emotional intelligence profiles and determining possible statistically significant differences in learning strategies through the identified profiles. Thousand and seventy one Spaniards secondary school students aged 14–17 participated in the study, completing the Trait Meta-Mood Scale-24 (TMMS-24) and the Cuestionario de Estrategias de Aprendizaje [Learning Strategies Questionnaire] (LSQ). Cluster analysis identified four differentiated EI profiles: a group of adolescents with a low EI profile, a group with high scores in attention and low scores in repair, a high EI profile group, and a group of adolescents with predominance of low attention and high repair. The results also revealed statistically significant differences among the profiles in most of the learning strategies, in which students with high general EI and those with predominance of low attention and high repair use more learning strategies than the other groups, suggesting the importance of developing programmes of emotional skills to study in greater depth EI and its influence on students’ learning strategies.     

Proofs produced by secondary school students learning geometry in a dynamic computer environment

As a key objective, secondary school mathematics teachers seek to improve the proof skills of students. In this paper we present an analytic framework to describe and analyze students' answers to proof problems. We employ this framework to investigate ways in which dynamic geometry software can be used to improve students' understanding of the nature of mathematical proof and to improve their proof skills. We present the results of two case studies where secondary school students worked with Cabri-Géeomèetre to solve geometry problems structured in a teaching unit. The teaching unit had theaims of: i) Teaching geometric concepts and properties, and ii) helping students to improve their conception of the nature of mathematical proof and to improve their proof skills. By applying the framework defined here, we analyze students' answers to proof problems, observe the types of justifications produced, and verify the usefulness of learning in dynamicgeometry computer environments to improve students' proof skills.     

Proofs produced by secondary school students learning geometry in a dynamic computer environment

As a key objective, secondary school mathematics teachers seek to improve the proof skills of students. In this paper we present an analytic framework to describe and analyze students' answers to proof problems. We employ this framework to investigate ways in which dynamic geometry software can be used to improve students' understanding of the nature of mathematical proof and to improve their proof skills. We present the results of two case studies where secondary school students worked with Cabri-Géeomèetre to solve geometry problems structured in a teaching unit. The teaching unit had theaims of: i) Teaching geometric concepts and properties, and ii) helping students to improve their conception of the nature of mathematical proof and to improve their proof skills. By applying the framework defined here, we analyze students' answers to proof problems, observe the types of justifications produced, and verify the usefulness of learning in dynamicgeometry computer environments to improve students' proof skills.This revised version was published online in September 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Peer assessment as a learning tool for enhancing student teachers' preparation

This study investigates how peer assessment contributes to enhancing student teachers' preparation during field experience. A semi-structured interview was conducted with 72 student teachers. The findings showed that the student teachers have positive beliefs about peer assessment. They think that it can be beneficial if some changes are made in the way it is employed in teacher education programs. In light of the study findings, the researchers put forth a number of suggestions and recommendations for employing peer assessment in teacher education programs in Jordan.     

The assessment cycle: a model for learning through peer assessment

This paper advances a model describing how peer assessment supports self-assessment. Although prior research demonstrates that peer assessment promotes self-assessment, the connection between these two activities is underspecified. This model, the assessment cycle, draws from theories of self-assessment to elaborate how learning takes place through peer assessment. The model is applied to three activity structures described in the literature to analyse their potential to support learning by promoting self-assessment. Broadly speaking, the model can be used to understand learning that takes place in a variety of peer assessment activities: marking/grading, analysis, feedback, conferencing and revision. This approach contrasts most studies on peer assessment, which have focused on calibration of instructor and peer grades, rather than learning opportunities.     

Gender differences in instrumental learning among secondary school students in Hong Kong

This paper examines the extent of gender differences, and discusses the role of gender in musical instrument learning. It focuses on the collective instrumental experiences of 1493 Chinese students (774 boys and 719 girls attending grades 7–13) within Western and non‐Western musical traditions in Hong Kong. The discussion draws attention to gender differences in the learning of Chinese and Western musical instruments, in musical interest and instrumental learning, and in the reasons why students learn or do not learn musical instruments. The paper argues that, while female and male students exhibit different attitudes towards the types of instruments learnt, significant correlations exist between their interest in music and parental support for their instrumental learning. Gender is brought to the fore by the pedagogical actions of the teacher, the mass media and by parental efforts to reduce gender bias and stereotypes through school, public and family education.     

中职数学课堂教学中学生学习兴趣的培养

中职学生数学学习兴趣缺乏,严重影响教学质量.课堂教学是学习兴趣培养的主渠道.为此,教师在课堂教学中要充分利用各种有利因素,克服消极因素,培养学生的学习兴趣.     

Small group discussion as a key component in online assessment training for enhanced student learning in web-based peer assessment

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of online assessment training, with synchronous group discussion as a key component, on subsequent web-based peer assessment results. Participants included 81 college students, mostly women, taking a business writing class. After initial submission of a draft counter-offer letter, they completed online assessment training by engaging in a consensus-seeking, synchronous group discussion of the rubric-based ratings they gave to sample counter-offer letters. They then engaged in web-based assessment of randomly assigned peer counter-offer letters and upon receiving peer feedback, submitted revision of their own counter-offer letter. The discussion groups were randomly assigned to either anonymous (using a pseudo name) or identified conditions (using real name). Findings indicate that the quality of student counter-offer letters improved after online assessment training, and improved even more after web-based peer assessment. There were no significant differences between anonymous discussion groups and identified groups.     

Vocational assessment of secondary students with disabilities and the school psychologist

Although much progress has been made in the identification and remediation of academic learning difficulties, less attention has been given to the career development of students with disabilities. Through their psychoeducational evaluations school psychologists are in an excellent position to provide useful information about the vocational functioning of these students. Some school practitioners may be hesitant to contribute fully to the vocational assessment process because they are unfamiliar with vocational behavior literature. In an effort to encourage greater involvement, the school psychologist's role as member of a career assessment team is discussed, and vocational theory and research concerning interest, ability, and personality characteristics are reviewed. Assessment and data integration strategies are offered. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Psychometric characteristics of a sexuality education survey for teachers of secondary school students with learning disabilities in Malaysia

Delivery of sexuality education to secondary school students in Malaysia started since 1989. However, this area of education was neglected for secondary students with learning disabilities. Therefore, in order to explore their needs for sexuality education, society's perceptions especially teachers’ towards this matter should be considered. To achieve this objective, it is important to conduct a needs analysis on teachers’ perceptions towards this topic. An instrument with good psychometric properties is needed to obtain consistent and reliable information. This paper describes the development and psychometric testing of the Sexuality Education Survey for Teachers of Secondary School Students with Learning Disabilities (SES). SES showed acceptable content validity, construct validity, and achieved satisfactory reliability. The instrument also has good stability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.95) to be adopted as an instrument for analysing the health and sexuality education needs of secondary students with learning disabilities in Malaysia.     

A comparative study of learning patterns of secondary school,high school and college students

The main aim of the current research was to identify the similarities and differences in learning patterns used by secondary school, high school and college students. There were 8,072 participants and they responded to the Chinese version of Inventory of Learning Styles (ILS) online. Findings show that the three groups of students were significantly different in their adoption of learning patterns; the dimensionalities of learning patterns observed in secondary school and high school students were similar, but were different from those of college students; these students’ learning patterns differed from each other in relation to personal characteristics (i.e. gender and age), but tended to have similar strong relationships with parents’ education level and parents’ jobs. This study contributes to the understanding of the learning patterns characterized by school and college students. By acknowledging this, educators can help to develop better support for students in adapting to new study environments.     

Classroom learning environment and motivation towards mathematics among secondary school students in Uganda

This article reports a study of secondary students’ perceptions of mathematics classroom learning environment and their associations with their motivation towards mathematics. A sample of 81 students (19 male and 62 female) in two schools were used. Student perceptions of the classroom environment were assessed using a modified What Is Happening In this Class? (WIHIC) questionnaire. Associations between student perceptions of the learning environment and motivation towards mathematics were examined using simple correlation and multiple regression analyses. The results of the t tests for independent samples indicated a statistically significant difference in student perceptions between different school types. Student perceptions on some of the modified WIHIC scales were statistically significantly associated with student motivation. The results suggest that teachers wishing to improve student motivation towards mathematics, in general, should emphasise the learning environment dimensions that are assessed by the WIHIC. The findings have implications for teachers of mathematics and head teachers, particularly those in secondary schools.     

中职学校学生语文学习兴趣培养的意义及途径

兴趣是促进与维系学生学习行为发展的必要条件,是获取良好学习效果的重要保障。相对于中职学校语文教学而言,在素质教育理念的感召下,如何培养与维护学生的语文学习兴趣,已成为推动语文教学改革健康发展的关键环节。基于此,本文对在中职学校语文教学中培养学生学习兴趣的重要意义进行阐述,对培养途径进行探讨,旨在于为提高学生语文学习的实际效果,促进中职学校语文教学的可持续发展,提供必要的借鉴与参考。     

Culture and learning in a New Zealand secondary school

Served as principal of Tikipunga High School in New Zealand from 1983 to 1995. Executive member of the World Council of the Teaching Professions (1984–88), and a member of the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO (1989–94). She has recently taken up the position of Head of the UNESCO Office for the South Pacific States, based in Apia, Western Samoa.     

The effect of peer assessment on project performance of students at different learning levels

Peer assessment has been increasingly integrated in educational settings as a strategy to foster student learning. Yet little has been studied about how students at different learning levels may benefit from peer assessment. This study examined how peer-assessment and students’ learning levels influenced students’ project performance using a two-way factorial design. One hundred and thirty teacher education students participated in this quasi-experimental study. When working on a technology-integrated lesson plan project, the experimental group completed an online peer assessment process while the control group followed the discussion method. Students’ learning levels were measured and divided into low, average and high achieving according to the quality of their draft lesson plans. Data analysis suggested that the impact of peer assessment on students’ lesson plan project seemed to vary according to students’ learning levels. While low- and average-achieving students showed significantly improved performance right after the integration of a peer assessment model, the model seemed to have had less impact on the performance of high-achieving students. Significance, implications and limitations of findings are discussed.     

Assisting transition to university: using assessment as a formative learning tool

This study explores the effectiveness of an intervention involving formative assessment in a first‐year core business subject. Students were invited to receive feedback on a draft of their first written assessment during the early weeks of the semester. Consideration is given to the economic and ethical issues raised by the intervention. A multi‐method approach of qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis is used. The research finds that the intervention facilitates significantly higher marks in assessments and grades, while assisting student learning overall. Findings are reinforced by comparison with a subject where the intervention was not offered.