Does spelling instruction make students better spellers,readers, and writers? A meta-analytic review

Despite the importance of spelling for both writing and reading, there is considerable disagreement regarding how spelling skills are best acquired. During this and virtually all of the last century, some scholars have argued that spelling should not be directly or formally taught as such instruction is not effective or efficient. We conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis of experimental and quasi-experimental studies to address these claims. The corpus of 53 studies in this review included 6,037 students in kindergarten through 12th grade and yielded 58 effect sizes (ESs) that were used to answer eight research questions concerning the impact of formally teaching spelling on spelling, phonological awareness, reading, and writing performance. An average weighted ES was calculated for each question and the quality of included studies was systematically evaluated. Results provided strong and consistent support for teaching spelling, as it improved spelling performance when compared to no/unrelated instruction (ES = 0.54) or informal/incidental approaches to improving spelling performance (ES = 0.43). Increasing the amount of formal spelling instruction also proved beneficial (ES = 0.70). Gains in spelling were maintained over time (ES = 0.53) and generalized to spelling when writing (ES = 0.94). Improvements in phonological awareness (ES = 0.51) and reading skills (ES = 0.44) were also found. The positive outcomes associated with formal spelling instruction were generally consistent, regardless of students’ grade level or literacy skills.     

Debatable topic or not: Do we have the right to argue?

Are certain controversial issues, even though being part of the public debate, more open to discussion than others? We asked 80 French 6, 8, 10 and 12 graders respond to two letters. These letters dealt with either integration of immigrant students at school, or the right to smoke in public places. In France, there is a politically “correct” (officially dominant and valued) social position regarding immigration which could limit a person's willingness to discuss the issue. In contrast, the smoking issue is widely open to discussion, and most ideas and opinions related to it are socially acceptable. The analysis of certain textual operations characterizing the referent degree of openness to discussion (counter-argumentation, conditional modifiers, …), as well as the number of arguments produced, demonstrated the referent influence on the argumentative text. The non debatable referent, target of reigning socially dominant and politically “correct” position, resulted in an impoverished discourse containing few arguments (primarily ones that support the dominant opinion) in which the speaker distanced himself/herself from his discourse by the use of enunciative position (I think that…) and restrictions (only in a case where…). Referents open to discussion, not limited by social pressure, were conducive to a rich and nuanced discourse. In this case, the arguments were numerous and varied, and the speaker openly took a stand and expressed personal value judgments.     

Do extra-curricular activities in schools improve educational outcomes? A critical review and meta-analysis of the literature

Secondary schools tend to sponsor a large number of extra-curricular activities (ECA) yet little is known about their contribution to students’ educational outcomes. This meta-analysis aims to determine what it is about ECA participation that supports positive educational outcomes. Furthermore, this study challenges the theoretical assumptions about the benefits of participation in ECA. 29 studies (all except for one based on data collected in the United States) met the search criteria for inclusion in the analysis. Most effect sizes on academic achievements yielded from non-specific ECA, academic clubs and journalism were small, as were participation in performing arts, sports and leadership activities on a range of educational outcomes. Although the results show associations between participation in ECA and educational outcomes, causal effects could not be confirmed. It is concluded that the lack of evidence supporting the causal effects, and thus the common theoretical assumptions about the effects of ECA on educational outcomes, is due to methodology limitations in these studies.     

Why research-informed teaching in engineering education? A review of the evidence

Challenges of today's engineering education (EE) are emergent, necessitating calls for its reformation to empower future engineers function optimally as innovative leaders, in both local and international contexts. These challenges: keeping pace with technological dynamism; high attrition; and most importantly, quality teaching/learning require multifaceted approaches. But how can EE respond to the growing demand for relevant teaching? What can we do for engineering faculties to leverage on quality teaching? How do we embed quality teaching in EE? Scholarship of teaching and learning is advocated as one viable approach. It uses evidence-based teaching (EBT) strategies, and research-informed evidence to guide educational decisions regarding teaching and learning. We review the theories underpinning EBT, the scientific evidence on which it is based, and innovative instructional strategies that enhance active learning. Some of these issues have been discussed already, largely through developing countries lens. Nevertheless, linkages to equivalent global perspectives are presented here.     

Do gestures matter? The implications of using touchscreen devices in mathematics instruction

Touchscreen devices are increasingly used in education and are a predominant tool for everyday knowledge search. An assumption about the nature of touchscreen devices is that users intuitively understand them, which improves access to knowledge. Using a framework that includes concepts from cognitive psychology, information studies, and communication theory we explored whether users' physical interactions on a touchscreen device have consequences for their conceptual understanding of content – in this case mathematics. In the present study, adults (n = 40) completed a number line estimation task on a tablet computer (on the line 1|--------|10, place a mark at 7) by either touching the screen in a singular location (tap) or by dragging their finger across the line to the desired location (drag). All participants then went on to use the drag gesture to complete two more tablet computer mathematics tasks assessing understanding of the continuous nature of numbers. Participants in the drag condition were more accurate on all three tasks, suggesting that the continuous nature of the gesture reinforced their continuous understanding of numbers. Gestures may influence understanding of content learned from a touchscreen.     

The cost and financing of the right to education in India: Can we fill the financing gap?

India's Parliament passed the Right to Education Act in 2009, which entitles all children 6-14 years old to at least eight years of schooling. This paper examines the cost of achieving this right to education, and asks whether India can fill the financing gap that must be filled if the right is to be realized. The paper notes the very considerable increase in central and state government allocation implied by the Act, and finds that there will be difficulties in finding the resources, given the large fiscal deficit occasioned by the global economic crisis. However, the paper goes on to suggest a series of measures that can be taken so that the right to schooling is no more denied or delayed.     

Do the rich become richer and the poor poorer?: A longitudinal analysis of pupil achievement and progress in elementary schools using computer-assisted instruction

In arithmetic, contrary to economics, only the first part of the question in the title receives an affirmative answer. In other words, there is hope for low achievers. A longitudinal analysis of pupil achievement and progress was done in 15 schools, over 5 years, on the subject of elementary school arithmetic. The pupil population was divided into nine groups, using two dimensions: school socio-economic status (SES) and pupil achievement, each one with three categories. The most striking result is that the within-class achievement differences are much higher than the achievement differences resulting from diverse SES. Another important result refers to the rate of progress of the different subpopulations, and this point is extensively discussed in this chapter. Some thoughts about the need for educational reform are presented, based on these analyses.     

What Do Learning Scientists Do? A Survey of the ISLS Membership

This study responds to a question that people working in the field of learning sciences get asked regularly: What do learning scientists do? Earlier attempts to answer this question came from a need to define a new field of educational research. Now that the International Society of the Learning Sciences (ISLS) has grown into a robust and productive society, it is time to gain a more nuanced understanding of learning sciences research and practices—including where it takes place, for whom, and in what form—as defined by members of the learning sciences community. Here we report on the responses of 253 ISLS members to a survey conducted in 2014. We discuss implications of the findings in terms of the type of impact learning scientists have. We also discuss how these results might be used to advise prospective students and to create a vision for our future.     

用in the way还是on the way

In the way和on the way是极为常见的两个短语,如何灵活运用在具体的语境中呢? 1.in the way 这个短语常指“在道上”,有妨碍、阻拦的意思.如: 1)She can't do her dance because the table is in the way.Can you help me move it? 桌子挡住了路,她不能跳舞了.你能帮忙移开吗? 2)You just arranged matters so that no one was in the way. 你把一切都安排好了,这样就不会有人挡道了. 3)I knew what got in the way of success,and I planned for it. 我知道通往成功的道路上会遇到什么,我也计划好了.     

Do you read this the way I read this?

Two studies were carried out which investigated students' perceptions of, and reactions to, a tutor's comments on written assignments. The method used was based on the Kelly Construct Repertory Grid technique and is referred to as the Kelly Analysis. Study 1 involved the use of a facilitator who helped the students in carrying out the Kelly Analysis. Study 1 demonstrated that this technique was effective in eliciting both the students' and the tutor's perceptions of the comments, and that an examination of matches and mismatches between the two could be carried out. Study 2 focused on the development of a self-administered Kelly Analysis to remove the need for a facilitator. Students had few problems in using the self-administered Kelly Analysis and, again, an examination of matches and mismatches in perception of comments was feasible and useful. The potential value of open-ended questions in exploring students' perceptions was also investigated. It is suggested that the Kelly Analysis coupled with the use of open-ended questions could provide a valuable tool to tutors and students who wish to explore understanding of comments, and one that might aid in creating more reflective practitioners and students. Two relevant theoretical perspectives are also outlined: schema theory within cognitive psychology, and social constructivist theory especially the role of scaffolding learning.     

How Do we Measure Implementation of Inclusive Education in the Pacific Islands? A Process for Developing and Validating Disability-Inclusive Indicators

In recent years, countries of the Pacific have been moving strongly towards enhancing inclusive educational practices within a previously segregated education system. Through the Pacific Education Development Framework (PEDF) approved by 14 Pacific Island Education Ministers in 2009, the implementation of regional policies of inclusive education is a priority. To ensure that progress is measurable, these countries have been working collaboratively with several Australian institutions to develop a set of contextually appropriate indicators for measuring disability-inclusive education. This article describes the process adopted in developing these indicators and initial findings regarding the key outcomes. The research is guided by three key principles of collaboration, a need for systemic change and ‘nothing about us without us’. The process adopts a three-stage approach which is outlined and key issues and implications discussed.     

“We are only looking for the right answers”: the challenges of controversial issue instruction in South Korea

This study explores the perceptions of South Korean moral and social studies education teachers, teacher educators, and students on the promises and challenges of introducing and discussing controversial issues within their classrooms. The findings suggest that college entrance exams, textbooks, didacticism, dualism, administrators, textbooks, standards, fear of bias, scant instructional time, and reticent classroom climates collectively undermine controversial instruction in South Korea The few pathways that counter these challenges include student-generated curriculum topics and tying lessons to current events. Similar to other democratic societies, South Korea's paucity of reflective thinking on controversial issues represents a clear hazard to the development of citizens who make informed and reasoned decisions for the common good.     

The smaller the better? A review of research on small rural schools in Sweden

This review of 30 years of research in small rural schools in Sweden includes projects focusing directly upon rural education and rural schools, reports from national agencies, and official statistics. Two main foci were found: (i) the quality of education and pupils’ academic performance, and (ii) the economics of running schools in different types of demographic areas. A concordant picture stands out: (a) there are no indications that small rural schools do not provide an equally good education as other schools, but (b) the higher expenditure per pupil and decreasing population in sparsely populated areas increases the risk of school closures. The importance of the small rural school to the community receives peripheral attention at best in this body of research.     

Is There Any Change in Science Educational Reforms? A sociological study of theories of instruction

This study analyzes the theory of instruction legitimized by the Ministry of Education in the present reform (1991) by comparison with the previous reform (1975), in order to find out possible changes in the teacher-student relation. The study is focused on the syllabuses of the discipline of Natural Sciences of Years 5/6 and 7, and is theoretically based on Bernstein's theory of pedagogic discourse. The results showed that there are differences between the 1975 and the 1991 reforms, which reveal a change from a more self-regulative theory of instruction to a mixed theory of instruction. This is particularly evident for Years 5/6 of schooling.     

Do we need more scientists? A long‐term view of patterns of participation in UK undergraduate science programmes

This paper reports the findings from an ESRC funded study which examined patterns of participation in higher education science programmes. Using data on applications and acceptances to university, the paper describes trends in the numbers of candidates who choose to study science and science‐related degree programmes in the UK over the last two decades. Two main findings emerge. The first shows that overall the sciences have retained their share of the undergraduate population during a period in which the sector has expanded rapidly. We find no evidence of a ‘swing’ from science. Indeed it is not the case that undergraduates are not studying science, rather, it is the type of science courses they are studying which has changed. The second finding suggests that large and small‐scale initiatives to increase recruitment to the sciences have had little lasting impact on the higher education participation data.     

Is home visiting an effective strategy? A meta-analytic review of home visiting programs for families with young children

Home visiting programs for families with young children have been in effect for many years; however, this is the first comprehensive meta-analytic effort to quantify the usefulness of home visits as a strategy for helping families across a range of outcomes. Sixty home visiting programs contributed data to analysis within 5 child and 5 parent outcome groups. Standardized effect sizes were computed for each end-of-treatment outcome measure, for each treatment versus control contrast. Weighted mean standardized effect sizes ranged from -.043 to.318; 6 of the 10 significantly differed from 0. No one program characteristic consistently affected effect sizes across outcome groups. The extent to which these findings have practical use for the field is discussed.     

Phonics—the Whole Story? A critical review of empirical evidence

One of the most contested areas in relation to literacy has been the teaching of reading. The British National Literacy Strategy (NLS) was intended to foreclose the reading debate by taking a clear position on the teaching of reading and prescribing this for all schools. National policy makers have claimed that the NLS is underpinned by research evidence. The central question that informs this paper is: has the research evidence on the teaching of reading demonstrated that the greater emphasis on phonics evident in the NLS Framework for Teaching is justified? Empirical evidence in a number of key areas is reviewed: seminal work; teaching method evaluations; longitudinal evidence and the DfEE review of research and related evidence. It is concluded that there is a weak link between research and the prescribed phonics teaching in the Framework, and that changes should be made to reflect more accurately the research evidence.