Social preference choices in late elementary school: Within and across group nominations

This study examined the social preference nominations (i.e., “liked most” and “liked least”) in relation to peer group and classroom social dynamics in a sample of 622 fifth graders from 11 schools in a southeastern state. Liked most and liked least nominations were given to a small concentration of students within classrooms. The top five nominees for liked most and liked least tended to be in peer groups and associated with at least one classmate who shared their position as a top nominee. The majority of liked most nominations in a classroom were made toward members inside the nominator's group, whereas the majority of liked least nominations were made toward peers outside one's group. Students in the same peer group were more likely to nominate the same peers as liked most than were students who did not affiliate together. In contrast, the concordance for liked least nominations was moderate at both the peer‐group and classroom level. Implications for school‐based social interventions are discussed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Plants have a chance: outdoor educational programmes alter students' knowledge and attitudes towards plants

Outdoor educational programmes are generally believed to be a suitable alternative to conventional biology settings that improve participants' environmental attitudes and knowledge. Here we examine whether outdoor educational programmes focused solely on practical work with plants influence participants' knowledge of and attitudes towards plants. It was found that mean scores of participants' attitudes towards and knowledge of plants significantly increased after the outdoor programme. These effects remained significant even after three months' post‐testing. No similar patterns were found in the control group. Interestingly, the proportion of participants who liked biology as a school subject also significantly increased after the outdoor programme in the experimental group. Females showed better knowledge of plants than males, but attitudes towards plants were similar between genders. Having a garden at home was not associated with better knowledge or attitudes towards plants. Our results reveal that outdoor programmes significantly relieve ‘plant blindness’ and make biology more attractive to pupils.     

A new framework for grading

Grading is one of the least liked, least understood and least considered aspects of teaching. After years of work, we have developed a grading system that is quite different from traditional and reformed approaches to grading and which meaningfully incorporates and integrates the collection of evidence, the evaluation of evidence, and the reporting of judgments about that evidence. This system satisfies the requirements of good grading system and answers many of the problems faced by more traditional methods by substantially changing the way in which grade information is aggregated, resulting in a final course grade that aligns qualitative evaluation with course learning objectives and carries direct qualitative meaning with respect to the course learning objectives.     

职技高师教学计划制定原则的研究

本文论述了职技高师教学目标制定和能力构建过程中所应遵循的基本原则和所依据的条件 ,指出在现阶段职技高师教学计划制定过程中容易出现的偏向和问题 ,从而阐明要办出职技高师教学特色和进行职师教学改革 ,制定高质量的教学计划是最关键一环。     

从岩土工程技术专业人才培养方案编制的过程探讨校企合作的新模式

在高职教育中岩土工程技术专业的人才培养方案的制订过程中,采取从毕业学生岗位分析到能力分析再到课程结构分析的方法,确定专业的核心课程内容。通过人才培养方案的编制,对岩土工程技术专业的培养目标、岗位定位、所需知识、应开课程有了明确的认识。     

The impact of inquiry-based learning on the critical thinking dispositions of pre-service science teachers

ABSTRACT

In the study, the impact of inquiry-based learning on pre-service teachers’ critical thinking dispositions was investigated. The sample of the study comprised of 56 pre-service teachers in the science education teacher education programme at the public university in the north of Turkey. In the study, quasi-experimental design with an experimental and a control group were applied to find out the impact of inquiry-based learning on the critical thinking dispositions of the pre-service teachers in the teacher education programme. The results showed that the pre-service teachers in the experimental group did not show statistically significant greater progress in terms of critical thinking dispositions than those in the control group. Teacher educators who are responsible for pedagogical courses in the teacher education programme should consider that the inquiry-based learning could not be effective method to improve pre-service teachers’ critical thinking dispositions. The results are discussed in relation to potential impact on science teacher education and implications for future research.     

Systematic Group Counselor Training: A Mastery Model

We had previously identified specific cognitive and experiential group counselor training objectives; this study represents a systematic attempt to plan, develop, and evaluate a training model using those objectives. The mastery learning model was identified as best suited for carrying out the training. At the beginning of the training (carried out as two concurrent graduate courses in group counseling), the students were presented with the objectives, a time plan, and evaluation criteria. The training model consisted of 15 graduate students, 11 at the doctoral and 4 at the master's level. Evaluations of course content and course objectives by experimental and comparison groups of trainees indicated the overall success of this exploratory study.     

基于工学结合一体化下对高职高专会计教学模式的探讨

工学结合是目前高职院校教学活动的基本要求,但是目前高职院校基础会计课程在教学内容、实训教材、教师素质、教学方法、实践基地建设等方面与工学结合的要求存在较大差距.围绕工学结合的基本要求,提出增加教学内容、强化实训教材建设和教学方法的创新、对教学一体化提出了探讨.     

Effects of active learning classrooms on student learning: a two-year empirical investigation on student perceptions and academic performance

Recent studies on active learning classrooms (ACLs) have demonstrated their positive influence on student learning. However, most of the research evidence is derived from a few subject-specific courses or limited student enrolment. Empirical studies on this topic involving large student populations are rare. The present work involved a large-scale two-year study that examined the effects of ACL on student perceptions of their learning experience and the relationship with academic performance in a General Education programme. An institutional survey was used to gather more than 35,000 units of student perception data from all 306 courses in the programme. Our empirical findings show that students thought courses that adopted an ACL as the key learning environment were significantly better designed and more encouraging of student creativity and innovation than courses which used regular classrooms; thus, student perceptions were improved. We are also the first to report that this positive effect on creativity and innovation is statistically unaffected by academic performance, with high, middle and low achievers all benefiting from the use of the facility. The results suggest that ACLs are better environments for nurturing innovation for all students, regardless of their academic ability.     

Subject disciplines and student evaluation of a degree programme in education

The primary purpose of this study is to report the evaluation of a degree programme in Education by final year undergraduate students of a university. The results show that arts and science students rated the courses, instruction and instructors in the education department significantly higher than those in their teaching subject departments; social science students rated their subject departments higher than the education department; the physical and health education students were indifferent in their ratings of both departments. The study further reveals that educational administration, educational psychology and guidance and counselling were rated in descending order as the most interesting courses in education.     

The impact of a university teaching development programme on student approaches to studying and learning experience: evidence from Chile

In this paper, we analyse the impact of teacher participation in a University Teaching Diploma on student approaches to studying and learning experience. A quasi-experimental and multilevel design was employed. University teachers answered the Approaches to Teaching Inventory and students completed the Course Experience Questionnaire and the Study Process Questionnaire. In addition, contextual variables were included for both teachers and students. The total sample included 44 teachers and 686 students. Of these, 25 university teachers had completed the University Teaching Diploma and 19 had not; 373 students were in courses with a diploma teacher and 313 in courses were not. Results show that those university teachers who have completed the programme have, in their courses, students who were more likely to declare having adopted a deep approach to studying than those teachers who have not participated in the diploma. At the same time, no significant impact was found on the student learning experience. For practical purposes, this investigation provides evidence for the value of teaching development programmes in promoting deeper approaches to studying. For research purposes, it proposes the use of multilevel models to evaluate the impact of university teaching diplomas.     

从百年语文教学目标的演变看语文课程工具性

语文教学目标由语文课程性质决定,同时,语文教学目标也反映出语文课程性质。新"课标"明确指出:"语文是最重要的工具",语文课程的工具性由来已久,从百年语文教学目标的演变中可略见一斑。     

试论高职高专技能课考核形式之改革

技能课是实现高职高专培养目标的主干课程,技能课考核内容和方向是实现培养目标和技能课课程目标的最重要的保证措施之一。应改革技能课考核形式,采用表现性评价方式,运用绝对评分法,制定技能课考核量表,引领技能课教与学的内容和方向,提高学生的职业技能水平。     

The Desired Preparation of English Teachers as Perceived by Community College Administrators

Abstract

This study undertook to determine the desired preparation of community college English teachers as perceived by those persons most involved in employing those teachers. A survey of 100 community college administrators in 11 southeastern states revealed that the most preferred preparation should include the equivalent of at least a master's degree in English plus additional course work in education. Preparation programs should include courses that familiarize the student with the community college, its curriculum, and its students, and courses that develop competencies in instructional technology and audiovisual methods. English courses should be selected with emphasis on composition and language rather than literature. Respondents indicated preference for persons with teaching experience, especially in secondary schools or community colleges, but also placed value on business and industrial experience.     

The potential of Supplemental Instruction in engineering education – helping new students to adjust to and succeed in University studies

Supplemental Instruction (SI) is a programme that is attached to difficult courses with the objective of increasing student performance and retention. However, an SI programme also has the potential to increase overall student performance and retention during the first critical year if applied to introductory courses. In this study the latter objective is investigated in an engineering educational environment. The study shows that an SI programme attached to difficult first semester courses for new engineering students has substantial positive effects on both first-year student performance and retention. Both male and female students appear to benefit from attending SI to the same extent. Some potential reasons for these improved first-year student performances are that attendance at SI sessions appears to lead to improved self-confidence, a broader network of study partners, improved study strategies and problem-solving skills and an increased ability to critically review material and work with others.     

高职院校活动课程标准的构建研究——以广东A高职学院通识拓展课程为例

通识拓展课程是通识教育理念的一种实践模式,它是对通识课程的延伸和拓展。梳理第二课堂联课活动和第三课堂课外活动,构建统一化、规范化、科学化的通识拓展课程体系,设置课程标准,明确培养目标、学生核心能力、子课程的设置、教学计划以及教学目的、内容、过程、方法、成果和评价方式等,是通识拓展课程组织实施的关键。通识拓展课程实现了教学工作与学生工作的融合,增强了学生的获得感,打造了校园文化品牌,是高职院校践行立德树人宗旨,实现学生德智体美劳全面发展的有效路径。     

Filling a curriculum gap in chemistry

In most science courses at secondary level, the teaching methods used are not tailored to present different approaches to meet the individual differences in pupils’ learning styles or motivation. Much in the detailed objectives, and blow‐by‐blow worksheet approach, will appeal to the conscientious pupil but may turn off the more creative and curious pupil.

Mini‐projects (problem solving at the bench) were used as a vehicle to motivate the curious pupils. Correlations of factors such as convergence/divergence, field‐dependence/field‐independence and motivational traits with ‘success’ in mini‐projects are set out in this paper. The evidence indicates that those who do best in practical problem solving of the mini‐project type are the curious, field‐independent and divergent pupils. However, all categories of pupils were stimulated to varying degrees by the projects.     

Assessing pre‐university students through extended individual investigations: teachers’ and examiners’ views

This paper reports a study of the views of teachers and Examination Board staff on the introduction of individual investigative work into pre‐university (Advanced level) Chemistry courses in England. The move towards investigative work at this level represented a significant change in emphasis in the nature of assessed practical work in pre‐university courses, and was initially a feature of only two courses, the Salters’ Advanced Chemistry course and the Cambridge Modular Science course. In this study, data were collected through the use of interviews with selected teachers of the two courses, and also with key staff in the relevant Examinations Boards. The findings of the study suggest that both teachers and Examination Board staff view the move towards investigative work at this level as having a number of benefits for students, though teachers reported some difficulty with their joint roles of teacher and assessor.     

Why Can People Jump Higher on the Moon? A study of what children learned from Corners,a children's television programme

At the request of the production team, a study was carried out on the BBC children's general knowledge programme, Corners, in order to test how suitable and enjoyable the programme was for its intended audience (five to seven year olds). Three age groups of children (six, seven and 11 year olds) were tested on memory and liking for one episode of the programme. Eleven year olds were significantly better at remembering the programme than the younger age groups. But there was also an unexpectedly large significant difference between seven and six year olds. Six year olds found particular difficulty in answering questions based on large numbers. The programme was most popular with seven year olds and least popular with 11 year olds. Popularity of individual items was not associated with superior recall. Results are discussed in terms of their usefulness in guiding production decisions for the next series of Corners, and also in terms of possible developmental factors which could account for the age differences     

论高职院校计算机基础课程的改革

高职学校再也不能将计算机基础这门课程仍停留在基础层面上,搞重复教育.课本文提出计算机基础课程层次,确立新的课程目标,突出高职教育的特点;计算机基础课程要与其专业方向紧密的结合起来,注重其实际操作能力和应用能力的培养,加强信息素养的培养,从而将计算机基础课程提升到一个新的高度.