Classroom dialogue: a systematic review across four decades of research

Recognizing that empirical research into classroom dialogue has been conducted for about 40?years, a review is reported of 225 studies published between 1972 and 2011. The studies were identified through systematic search of electronic databases and scrutiny of publication reference lists. They focus on classroom dialogue in primary and secondary classrooms, covering the full age range of compulsory schooling. The methods of data collection and analysis used in the studies are described and discussed, with changes and continuities over time highlighted. Study results are then summarized and integrated to present a succinct picture of what is currently known and where future research might profitably be directed. One key message is that much more is known about how classroom dialogue is organized than about whether certain modes of organization are more beneficial than others. Moreover, epistemological and methodological change may be required if the situation is to be remedied.     

Learning On-line: A review of recent literature in a rapidly expanding field

This paper is based on a review of recent literature on the use of Internet-based technologies in higher education, concentrating on the key issues and problems involved in transferring courses to an electronic learning environment. This paper attempts to fulfil the need at this point for an examination of this work, and aims to inform those who are thinking of using new technologies to deliver courses. The issue of pedagogy is discussed in relation to the design and implementation of on-line courses. The problem of a lack of participation in on-line discussion is considered and suggestions made for encouraging involvement in such activities. The issues of access and availability are considered as vital questions that need to be addressed by those involved in producing on-line courses, and advice on the nature of student support and staff development necessary in this context is outlined. The recommendations made in the literature for designing and implementing successful electronic courses will be discussed in relation to these issues. The paper concludes that a careful consideration of the warnings and recommendations made in the literature can help to produce effective and stimulating electronic learning environments.     

Writing regulation processes in higher education: a review of two decades of empirical research

In Higher Education (HE), writers need to regulate their writing processes in order to achieve their communicative goals. Although critical for academic success and knowledge construction, writing regulation processes have been mainly researched in compulsory education rather than in HE, with no systematic review focused on this context. The purpose of this article was to build a comprehensive picture of the state of writing regulation research in HE by conducting a systematic analysis of the studies on this topic in the last two decades. Studies’ characteristics were analysed in light of both their theoretical perspective and objectives. Results indicated the three theoretical perspectives and diversity of objectives were equally represented. Some methodological characteristics, such as context of study, were significantly related to theoretical perspectives, while the selection of instruments depended on their objectives. A qualitative analysis of the studies showed that cognitive studies methods’ varied in relation to their objectives, while sociocognitive studies used heterogeneous methods, and sociocultural studies used similar methods regardless their objective. Writing regulation in HE is a growing field with great variety of topics and objectives, yet there are still some underdeveloped issues and research challenges such as integrating emotions in the analysis, looking for more comprehensive methods that account for regulation in situated HE writing contexts, and clarifying the conceptual underpinnings of the perspective of writing regulation adopted in each study.     

Learning from physics text: A synthesis of recent research

Learning from physics text is described as a complex interaction of learner, text, and context variables. As a multidimensional procedure, text processing in the domain of physics relies on readers' knowledge and interest, and on readers' ability to monitor or regulate their processing. Certain textual features intended to assist readers in understanding and remembering physics content may actually work to the detriment of those very processes. Inclusion of seductive details and the incorporation of analogies may misdirect readers' attention or may increase processing demands, particularly in those cases when readers' physics knowledge is low. The questioning behaviors of teachers also impact on the task of comprehending physics texts. Finally, within the context of the classroom, the information that teachers dispense or the materials they employ can significantly influence the process of learning from physics text.     

A review of recent research on spelling

Research on spelling ability has witnessed a vigorous but fragmented growth in the last decade. A theory on the cognitive mechanisms of spelling remains elusive, as does a unified approach to spelling instruction. The idea that spelling competence unfolds in a series of developmental stages has gained popularity. Despite a lack of clear empirical support for the model, its impact on spelling instruction in the schools is growing. Research on traditional issues in teaching spelling continues unabated (size of word list, time between practice and test, immediacy of feedback), as well as investigation on innovative approaches (computers, group instruction). A creative technique applied in the early grades is invented spelling. Although popular and widely applied, its effectiveness remains unclear. Research is beginning to indicate that reading and spelling may be separable but related cognitive processes and that spelling ability involves two processing systems-phonological and lexical. Finally, experiencing incorrect spellings may be detrimental to spelling performance, and more research is needed on this issue.     

Learning to spell: enduring theories,recent research and current issues

Direct Instruction has been the subject of empirical research since its inception in the 1960s and has garnered a strong research base to support it. Despite its proven efficacy, Direct Instruction is not widely implemented and draws much criticism from some educators. This literature review details the components of Direct Instruction, research to support it and reported attitudes towards it. The aspects of Direct Instruction that attract the most criticism are broken down to determine just what it is that educators do not like about it. In addition, this review attempts to outline possible ways to improve the landscape for Direct Instruction by reviewing research on how best to achieve a shift in beliefs when adopting change in schools. This includes pre-service teacher education and professional development and support for practising teachers as a means of improving rates of implementation of Direct Instruction.     

Computer Simulations to Support Science Instruction and Learning: A critical review of the literature

Researchers have explored the effectiveness of computer simulations for supporting science teaching and learning during the past four decades. The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive, critical review of the literature on the impact of computer simulations on science teaching and learning, with the goal of summarizing what is currently known and providing guidance for future research. We report on the outcomes of 61 empirical studies dealing with the efficacy of, and implications for, computer simulations in science instruction. The overall findings suggest that simulations can be as effective, and in many ways more effective, than traditional (i.e. lecture-based, textbook-based and/or physical hands-on) instructional practices in promoting science content knowledge, developing process skills, and facilitating conceptual change. As with any other educational tool, the effectiveness of computer simulations is dependent upon the ways in which they are used. Thus, we outline specific research-based guidelines for best practice. Computer simulations are most effective when they (a) are used as supplements; (b) incorporate high-quality support structures; (c) encourage student reflection; and (d) promote cognitive dissonance. Used appropriately, computer simulations involve students in inquiry-based, authentic science explorations. Additionally, as educational technologies continue to evolve, advantages such as flexibility, safety, and efficiency deserve attention.     

Schooling as a positional good: the Brazilian metropolitan regions in recent decades

In this article, I aim to determine whether, in view of the trend of educational expansion in recent decades in Brazil, the role played by schooling in the labor market of Brazilian major metropolitan regions has changed, becoming positional rather than absolute. To this end, I analyze the influence of schooling on people’s income and occupational status. Based on data from the National Household Sample Survey (PNAD-IBGE) for years 1995, 2005 and 2015, I compare ordinary least squares models that use absolute and positional measures of schooling. The results show that the explanatory power is greater for positional measures than for absolute ones, and that this advantage has increased over recent decades. As a result, it is argued that although educational expansion possibly makes the chances of access to a certain absolute schooling level less unequal, it also ends up undermining the opportunity structure related to it.     

谈合作学习下的学习指导策略

合作学习是近年来借鉴国外经验,并在国内职业教育领域得到广泛推广和取得一定效果的学法改革实验。不断深化对合作学习基本内涵的认知和持续调整合作学习的实施策略,是使合作学习取得更大成功的关键所在。     

Hypermedia Assisted Instruction and Second Language Learning:

No abstract available for this article.     

论合作学习与教学公平

教学公平是人们关注的焦点,而传统教学却一直表现着教学不公平,具体体现在位置不公平、关注不公平、发展和评价不公平等方面。合作学习是一种先进的教学策略,它极大地改变了教学不公平现状。     

数字技术支持的教师学习:研究与项目综述(上)

本文在系统回顾教师知识与教师学习本质的基础上,讨论了数字技术与教师学习活动之间的关系,主张将数字技术的效用描述为教师学习中有目的的一组活动,即：知识建构、分布式认知、社群与沟通以及约定,通过对五个技术支持的教师学习的典型案例。分析了数字技术对教师学习的支持作用。最后指出了数字技术支持的教师学习与专业发展之方向。     

合作学习与任务型教学

合作学习能形成改变学习学习态度，在任务型教学中，鼓励学习采取讨论、合作的学习方式，可以有效地完成学习任务，使学习获取处理信息、与他人交往、发展解决问题能力。     

论研究性学习与指导

研究性学习是培养学生创造性学力的重要的学习活动，中小学实施研究性学习，是基础教育课程改革中学习方式的革命，是一场学与教的革命。它是培养学生具有创造性学力的生长点，也是教师施教的创新点。因此，教师应掌握研究性学习的特点，并努力成为指导研究性学习的专家。