A study of small group dynamics and productivity in the BSCS laboratory block program

The amount of work accomplished in the laboratory is often dependent upon the efficiency of group work. Here is an attempt to determine factors which may inhibit productivity of small group efforts.     

也谈考试作弊现象

考试作弊现象为各种考试之大忌，是各级各类学校较为突出的学风问题。它的蔓延，会极大地伤害大多数学生的学习积极性，严重地财坏校风，本就考试作弊现象的常见方式、种类、产生原因、危害性及消除的办法等方面进行分析，力求使读对考试作弊现象有较为全面的了解，以期共同关心这一社会现象，为逐步杜绝考试作弊现象，还考试之真面目尽一分力。     

Proportional reasoning and the linguistic abilities required for hypothetico-deductive reasoning

The hypothesis is advanced that a necessary, though not sufficient, condition for the acquisition of proportional reasoning during adolescence is the prior internalization of key linguistic elements of argumentation, essentially those used in hypothetico-deductive reasoning. This hypothesized internalization, which does not occur in all individuals, results in some who have acquired the ability to reflect upon the correctness of self-generated answers in a hypothetico-deductive manner, and others who have not. As an initial test of the hypothesis, 46 subjects (Ss) (mean age = 21.03 years) were classified into additive, transitional, or proportional reasoning categories based upon responses to a proportions task. Group differences were found in which proportional Ss performed better than transitional Ss who in turn performed better than additive Ss on a number of items testing Ss' abilities to identify, generate, and use the linguistic elements of argumentation. Further it was found that some Ss who were successful on the linguistic items failed the proportions task, but no Ss who were successful on the proportions task failed the linguistic items. This result supports the hypothesis that the internalization of linguistic elements of argumentation is a prerequisite for proportional reasoning and by inference other advanced reasoning schemata as well. Implications for science instruction are drawn.     

一个新的基于EFALC的推理算法

针对目前的扩展模糊描述逻辑缺乏TBox约束下的推理算法,提出TBox约束下扩展模糊描述逻辑EFALC截概念可满足性问题及其推理算法.该算法的设计参考用于经典描述逻辑的tab-leau算法;详细描述了EFALC的转化规则和推理算法的过程,并使用递归函数调用、分支裁减和引入中间结果集合这3种技术对算法进行优化.证明了该优化推理算法的最坏时间复杂性为指数,且具有完备性和正确性,同时证明了TBox约束下EFALC截概念可满足性问题的复杂性是指数时间完全的.     

考试的功能及其对提高教学质量的影响

高等学校的考试具有引导功能,是提高教学质量的"指挥棒";具有激励功能,是提高教学质量的"源动力";具有检测功能,是提高教学质量的"试金石";具有评价功能,是提高教学质量的"催化剂";具有诊断功能,是提高教学质量的"听诊器".     

考试的功能及其对提高教学质量的影响

高等学校的考试具有引导功能，是提高教学质量的“指挥棒”；具有激励功能，是提高教学质量的“源动力”；具有检洲功能，是提高教学质量的“试金石”；具有评价功能，是提高教学质量的“催化剂”；具有诊断功能，是提高教学质量的“听诊器”。     

审美直觉与合情推理

论述了审美直觉与合情推理及其之间的关系，重点阐述了审美直觉强化合情推理的可靠性、审美直觉调控合理推理的方向性。     

Conditional reasoning with false premises facilitates the transition between familiar and abstract reasoning

Abstract reasoning is critical for science and mathematics, but is very difficult. In 3 studies, the hypothesis that alternatives generation required for conditional reasoning with false premises facilitates abstract reasoning is examined. Study 1 (n = 372) found that reasoning with false premises improved abstract reasoning in 12- to 15-year-olds. Study 2 (n = 366) found a positive effect of simply generating alternatives, but only in 19-year-olds. Study 3 (n = 92) found that 9- to 11-year-olds were able to respond logically with false premises, whereas no such ability was observed in 6- to 7-year-olds. Reasoning with false premises was found to improve reasoning with semiabstract premises in the older children. These results support the idea that alternatives generation with false premises facilitates abstract reasoning.     

The four-card problem resolved? Formal operational reasoning and reasoning to a contradiction

To test the hypothesis that adolescents classified as formal operational, based upon use of proportional reasoning on the “Pouring Water Task” (Lawson, Karplus, & Adi, 1978) have acquired the mental structures necessary to comprehend hypothetico-deductive arguments of a pattern referred to as “reasoning to a contradiction,” while adolescents classified as concrete operational, based upon use of additive reasoning on the same task have not, a sample of 100 high school students were administered the task and three versions of a problem requiring use of reasoning to a contradiction before, immediately after, and one month after brief verbal instruction in use of that reasoning pattern. Results were generally supportive of the hypothesis as most of the concrete students failed the immediate and delayed posttest problems (62 and 80%, respectively) while most of the formal students succeeded (80 and 71%, respectively). Group differences were significant (p < .001) in both cases. These results suggest that, contrary to those who have argued that content plays a substantial role in logical performance, a general hypothetico-deductive reasoning competence exists in some adolescents and is applicable across a wide variety of task domains. Science instruction which aims to teach this competence is recommended.     

Children's conditional reasoning part III: A design for research on children's learning of conditional reasoning and research findings

Educational Studies in Mathematics -     

A review of research on formal reasoning and science teaching

A central purpose of education is to improve students' reasoning abilities. The present review examines research in developmental psychology and science education that has attempted to assess the validity of Piaget's theory of formal thought and its relation to educational practice. Should a central objective of schools be to help students become formal thinkers? To answer this question research has focused on the following subordinate questions: (1) What role does biological maturation play in the development of formal reasoning? (2) Are Piaget's formal tasks reliable and valid? (3) Does formal reasoning constitute a unified and general mode of intellectual functioning? (4) How does the presence or absence of formal reasoning affect school achievement? (5) Can formal reasoning be taught? (6) What is the structural or functional nature of advanced reasoning? The general conclusion drawn is that although Piaget's work and that which has sprung from it leaves a number of unresolved theoretical and methodological problems, it provides an important background from which to make substantial progress toward a most significant educational objective. All our dignity lies in thought. By thought we must elevate ourselves, not by space and time which we can not fill. Let us endeavor then to think well; therein lies the principle of morality. Blaise Pascal 1623-1662.     

The impact of education level and type on moral reasoning

The importance of education in developing morally sensitive individuals who use principled moral reasoning when facing dilemmas has been widely acknowledged. In the context of the criticism levelled at the Irish higher education system for failing to fulfil the role of intellectual leader and moral critic within the public domain, this paper examines the impact of education level (both undergraduate and post-graduate) and type (arts or technical/profession-based) on moral reasoning using 311 Irish participants from a wide variety of educational backgrounds. An enhanced understanding of the impact of education on moral reasoning will facilitate the development of educational initiatives aimed at augmenting moral reasoning in higher-level students.     

Concepts and figures in geometrical reasoning

The paper opens with the theoretical construct of figural concepts. It is argued that geometrical figures are characterized by both conceptual and sensorial properties. A geometrical figure is a mental abstract, ideal entity, the meaning of which is governed by a definition. At the same time, it is an image: it possesses extensiveness (spatiality), shape and magnitude. In geometrical reasoning the two categories of properties should merge absolutely, with the sensorial components providing the dynamics of invention and the conceptual component guaranteeing the logical course of the mathematical process.

The paper investigates the effects of interaction between the conceptual and the figural components of a number of geometrical figures under the impact of age and mathematical competence. It has been found that age does not improve the control of the conceptual component on the interpretation of figures (between ages 14 and 17) in contrast to what one could expect. Usually, as an effect of age (grade) the interpretation gets worse. On the other hand, there are striking differences between the three competence levels considered. Strong mathematical students are characterized by their capacity to overcome the apparent contradiction between the figural, direct, impressions and the definitory properties. Their decision is, ultimately, determined according to the formal constraints (axioms and definitions).     

Reduced performance on examinations following untimed short assessments

The internet has allowed for the online asynchronous assessment of acquired knowledge; however, the delivery formats of these online assessments do require evaluation. To this end, the summative examination and preceding formative quiz performances of students enrolled in a freshman-level course were evaluated between four cohorts in which each cohort was administered formative quizzes differing in testing location (in-class versus online), time limitation and ability to use notes. Results indicate decreased monitoring of formative quizzes such as those that are untimed and delivered online leads to increased formative performance but decreased performance on proceeding summative examinations. While the use of online testing may appear enticing, care must be taken to ensure student learning.     

Scientific reasoning during adolescence: The influence of instruction in science knowledge and reasoning strategies

The mechanism linking instruction in scientific topics and instruction in logical reasoning strategies is not well understood. This study assesses the role of science topic instruction combined with logical reasoning strategy instruction in teaching adolescent students about blood pressure problems. Logical reasoning instruction for this study emphasizes the controlling-variables strategy. Science topic instruction emphasizes variables affecting blood pressure. Subjects receiving logical reasoning instruction link their knowledge of blood pressure variables to their knowledge of controlling variables more effectively than those receiving science topic instruction alone—their specific responses show how they attempt to integrate their understanding.