An extended dual search space model of scientific discovery learning

This article describes a theory of scientific discovery learning which is an extension of Klahr and Dunbar's model of Scientific Discovery as Dual Search (SDDS) model. We present a model capable of describing and understanding scientific discovery learning in complex domains in terms of the SDDS framework. The concepts of hypothesis space and experiment space, central to SDDS, are elaborated and used as a representation of the learner's knowledge. Also, we introduce a taxonomy of search operations in hypothesis space which allows us to describe in detail the processes of discovery. Our ideas are tested against data of subjects who comment on the discovery processes of a simulated learner. It is found that the conditions for performance a search operation in hypothesis space include both sufficient knowledge of the search operation itself and reasons for choosing a specific search operation. Furthermore, a number of constraints on the search in hypothesis space is discussed: domain specific and generic prior knowledge, learning goals, and personality factors. We conclude with some recommendations for the design of discovery-based learning environments.     

“指导发现法”在英语教学中的应用

“指导发现法”是由教师设计、定向指导,让学生自己实验、观察、分析、假设和论证,并从中发现规律和建立概念的一种方法。根据英语教学改革提出的时代要求,文章对“指导发现法”的理论基础、特点、在英语教学中的实践以及教学时应注意的问题进行探讨,以提高英语课堂教学效果和学生学习效能。     

Formative assessment in Confucian heritage culture classrooms: activity theory analysis of tensions,contradictions and hybrid practices

Formative assessment has recently become a preferred assessment strategy in educational institutions worldwide. However, it is not easy to implement in Asian classrooms, because local cultures and institutional constraints potentially hinder the practice. This one-semester study aimed to use the ‘third space’, as the core of the third generation of activity theory, as a frame to capture how Vietnamese teachers took into account both traditional practices and contemporary influences to transform formative assessment practices to make them feasible in their classrooms. Participants were 2 lecturers and 250 students from two college classes in Vietnam. The results showed that Vietnamese students’ conceptions of learning were heavily influenced by examinations and their traditional learning culture. Consequently, the teachers needed to transform the initiative to align with these features in Vietnamese classrooms. When the revisions were made, the students were evidenced to achieve a growth in learning, change their beliefs about learning and develop both self-learning and collective learning.     

刍议发现学习在小学英语教学中的运用

发现学习是落实课程改革精神,克服传统教学弊端的有效途径之一。发现学习活动组织策略包括：注意学生实际,分层教学;根据学习内容,授之以渔;注重教师主导,有效发挥学生的主体作用。在小学英语教学中,通过教材挖掘和情景创设激发学生英语学习兴趣,增强学习信心,促进学习外部动机向内部动机转化,提高学生的认知内驱力,有效提高学生学习效率,对学生知识和技能的记忆、巩固和迁移等具有重要的意义。     

Impact of professional development on teacher practice: Uncovering connections

An Inquiry Learning Partnership (ILP) for professional development (PD) was formed between a university, science centre, and two urban school districts to offer 4–6th grade teachers specific science content and pedagogical techniques intended to integrate inquiry-based instruction in elementary classrooms. From pre/post content exams, PD surveys, focus group, and assessment data, teachers increased their science content knowledge, reported implementing inquiry practices in their classrooms and their students experienced modest gains on 5th grade standardized science achievement exams. While some teachers were transferring knowledge/skills gained in professional development to their classrooms, others encountered barriers to implementing PD. These obstacles included limited resources, time constraints, mandated curriculum pacing, language learning, and classroom management issues. Strategies to mitigate these barriers in order to maximize the impact of professional development need to be a priority in professional development reform.     

Developing inclusive practice: teacher perceptions of opportunities and constraints in the Republic of Ireland

There has been a significant policy shift from parallel systems of special and mainstream education in the Republic of Ireland towards provision underpinned by enabling legislation with a presumption for inclusion. The role of teachers in establishing inclusive learning environments is critical and it is generally accepted that inclusive practice relies to a large extent on teacher knowledge, skills, understanding, capacity and attitudes. This exploratory study aimed to gather information on teachers' attitudes about inclusion, and perceived constraints in creating inclusive learning environments. A range of schools from urban, semi-urban, provincial and rural backgrounds were included and data were collected using semi-structured interviews (n?=?24) including all principals, class teachers and support staff in the participating schools. Teachers recognised the challenge of responding appropriately to diversity within schools and are generally supportive of the principle of inclusion. However, there are clear concerns around their individual capacity and the capacity of their schools to develop inclusive learning environments. A positive school ethos was a significant factor in ensuring inclusive practice. International research indicates that the complex mix of positive teacher beliefs combined with fears and perceived inadequacies is quite common in the evolution of practice towards inclusive learning environments.     

研究性学习与探究学习、发现学习、自主学习的关系

目前人们对既有一定联系又有所区别的研究性学习、探究学习、发现学习、自主学习进行了许多理论研究和实践探索,但在对它们内涵的界定和彼此关系的看法上,却说法不一.因此有必要把这些问题整理、分析清楚,以便人们更好地对它们进行理解和应用.     

Students as Scholars: Integrating Independent Research into Undergraduate Education

Undergraduate programs across the country are working to develop students as scholars, integrating independent scholarly experiences into traditional undergraduate classroom environments (see, e.g. George Mason University's Students as Scholars Quality Enhancement Plan; Boston University’s Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program; University of Houston’s Learning through Discovery; University of Michigan’s Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program; etc.). Scholars and universities have touted the benefits of engaging students in research experiences for students as well as faculty. However, there is little empirical work exploring how undergraduate students adapt to their new role as scholars. In this paper, we explore the process of students integrating research into their undergraduate classroom experience. Based on participant observation and pre and postsemester survey data, we discuss the process of students learning as scholars in a capstone Criminology, Law & Society course. We focus on how students gathered and analyzed data and integrated their research experience into their overall learning for the course. We find the process of research reinforces the learning objectives of the course.     

Interdependence of roles,role rotation,and sense of community in an online course

More and more educational institutions are moving towards online distance learning. Although asynchronous online learning overcomes the constraints of time, place and pace, online distance learners feel isolated due to the lack of real-time communications. One possible solution for overcoming this sense of isolation is regulating student online behavior by assigning specific roles and protocols for participation to learners in order to stimulate online learning activities. This qualitative study explored the use of such a technique in a fully online class in order to find out how the interdependence of roles and role rotation support a sense of community among learners. Data was collected through observations, discussion archives, surveys, and interviews. The results indicate that interdependent roles and role rotation provide students diverse learning experiences and interdependence in different ways. Students’ tendency to depend on their classmates and to participate is enhanced when using the starter-wrapper with roles technique.     

Learning as Participation in Social Practices: Interpreting student perspectives on learning

This article explores a small group of students' observations on their learning as they come to the end of an A-level Politics course. It draws on the insights of Vygotsky and other theorists influenced by him, such as Lave, Wenger, Rogoff and Engestro¨m, who have made important contributions to study of the social and participatory nature of learning, particularly, but not exclusively, in contexts outside the school environment. These ideas illuminate the 'communities of practice' found within educational institutions. The students' perspectives reveal perceptions about the learning process and provide a sense of what they have valued during this phase of their studies. Whilst education in formal environments may be criticised for the constraints on learning, classrooms may promote activity that encourages learners to identify their problems with existing knowledge, to question and speculate in ways that transform understanding. Collaborative practices have enabled students to enhance understanding of subject knowledge and to develop skills.     

Powerful pedagogical strategies in initial teacher education

The development of beginning teachers’ practice during a school placement is a multiplicity of mediated interaction between university and school based systems. Both systems have the common aim of training effective teachers. However day‐to‐day internal institution matters can cause tension between the learning goals set out for the beginning teacher by the university and the schools’ drive to ensure maximum student performance in ‘high stake’ national tests. The aim of the intervention was to set up structures which might enable beginning teachers to develop the capacity to think about and reflect explicitly on their practice, through purposive activity in an authentic classroom environment. The context of the activity was a secondary science course which aimed to encourage new teachers to empathize with secondary school pupils (aged 11–16) and understand their conceptual difficulties in learning about science within the constraints of a ‘curriculum delivery’ lead culture. The dialogue engaged in as part of the intervention helped beginning teachers to think critically about practice during school placements.     

An examination of undergraduates’ metacognitive strategies in pre-class asynchronous activity in a flipped classroom

The aim of the study is to examine undergraduate students’ awareness of metacognition, the metacognitive strategies they use in their learning and their learning performance in pre-class asynchronous activity in a flipped classroom. The sample consisted of 47 undergraduate students. Eleven students were not included in this study since they did not participate in all quizzes and most of the metacognitive strategy activities. Metacognitive Awareness Inventory and Metacognitive Strategies Evaluation Activities were used as data collection tools. The results showed that Computer Education and Instructional Technology students’ metacognitive awareness was at a high level and their metacognitive strategy levels and learning performances differed weekly. Post hoc results indicated no difference between metacognitive strategy and learning performance in the first three weeks. However, the results of the first 3 weeks differed from those of the 4th and 5th weeks. In addition, our regression analysis result indicated that using metacognitive strategies predicted 80% of students’ learning performance. This rate shows the importance of using metacognitive strategies for the learning process in pre-class asynchronous activity in the flipped classroom.     

Improving adult learning and professional development in a post-conflict area: The case of Cambodia

All over the world, international development organizations try to increase professional capacity of local staff. These attempts are thought to fail because of financial constraints, but this is just part of the story. Professional development and adult learning theories approach learning from a western perspective, while many developing societies are organized according to non-western models. This article describes research conducted in the Cambodian Ministry of Education, focusing on how adult learning theory could be applied in order to improve learning and support transfer. When local experience and the cultural influence on learning are acknowledged, learning outcomes are found to improve.     

重构发现学习

布鲁纳的发现学习在教育界影响深远．重构发现学习是时代对于这一学习理论的崭新诠释。发现学习是不断超越固定结构的建构学习，是学习者亲历真实情境的研究性学习。是注重发展学生主体性的自主学习．在教学中有着广阔的应用空间。     

Challenging change: transformative education for economically disadvantaged adult learners

This paper focuses on the results of a mixed-methods study of 13 participants in a Radical Humanities programme designed as a transformative learning space for low-income adults who have experienced barriers to learning. Using demographic questionnaires, semi-structured narrative interviews and course evaluations this study examined participants’ experiences in the programme and the impact on their learning, sense of agency and future ambitions. As the first phase of a longitudinal project on the well-being and agency of under-represented and marginalized learners, this preliminary study revealed five predominant themes emerging from learners’ experiences: (1) self-reflective meaning-making processes; (2) interrelated personal and communal growth; (3) appreciation of diversity; (4) emerging sense of self-as-learner; (5) renewed aspirations. This paper argues that transformative learning for low-income adults is a complex and challenging process that entails participants’ ongoing negotiations of self, learning, and purpose. Understanding and evaluating the effectiveness of transformative learning within a social-emancipatory humanities programme requires attention to the programme’s social context and choices faced by participants. Programme participation fosters increased well-being, deeper relationships and hope for the future. However, these tangible benefits are tempered by constraints of individual and structural systems that, for some students, impose limitations on their ability to enact change in themselves and in their lives.     

发现法对我国高校教学方法改革的启示

发现法是美国心理学家杰罗姆·S·布鲁纳创立的 ,其基本思想在于调动学生的积极主动性 ,引导学生在创设的情景中主动探究 ,以便创造性地掌握知识并不断提高他们的认识能力。我国高等学校教学改革应借鉴“发现法”的成功经验 ,废除注入式教学 ,大胆采用启发式教学法 ,引导学生积极主动地学习     

试论数学教学面临的争论

“精英数学”和“大众数学”不是两种完全对立的数学观,它们只是强调的侧重点不相同,一个完整的数学教学观应该在两者之间寻找一个平衡点。“形式数学”是对“生活数学”的超越,因此,对于一个发展中的学生而言,他学习数学的“生活经验”应该越来越抽象。“接受学习”和“发现学习”都可能是有意义的学习,教师应该根据知识的类型、学生的发展水平综合考虑选择何种数学学习方式。     

The Particular Aspects of Science Museum Exhibits That Encourage Students’ Engagement

This research explores learning in science museums through the most common activity in a science museum—interaction with exhibits. The goal of this study was to characterize the learning behaviors exhibited by students as they engage with interactive exhibits in order to draw insight regarding the design of the exhibits. In order to do so, we used a qualitative method of observation as well as the Visitor Engagement Framework (VEF) model, a visitor-based framework for assessing visitors’ learning experiences with exhibits in a science center setting. The combined method produced a framework of nine learning behaviors exhibited during the visitors’ interaction with the exhibits, grouped into three categories that reflect increasing levels of engagement and depth of the learning experience. Our research participants consisted of a total 1800 students aged 10–12 (4th, 5th, and 6th graders) who came to the museum with their class for a day visit. We observed nine exhibits, each visited by 200 students. Our observations revealed several design elements that contribute to engagement with exhibits in science museums. For example, exhibits that have familiar activation encourage visitors’ interaction, exhibits that facilitate social interaction are more likely to increase engagement, and the highest levels of engagement can be found in exhibits that support large groups.     

Biological constraints revisited: A critique

Four types of supporting evidence for inferences of biological constraints on conditioning are evaluated: (1) unexpected failures to condition (discriminative leverpress avoidance); (2) rapid or one-trial learning (taste-aversion studies); (3) crossover learning effects (the Garcia-Koelling effect); and (4) unique predictions from biological constraint-based frameworks. According to a current logic model of scientific explanation and prediction, none of these types of evidence is adequately compelling for inferences of biological constraints. The core problem identified is that negative evidence not attributable to an identified causal factor in terms of E/C (experimental/control) design outcome has been used to both reject general-process learning laws and compel inferences of biological constraints. A design solution using a blocking E/C conditioning paradigm is presented.     

Integrating Various Apps on BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) into Seamless Inquiry-Based Learning to Enhance Primary Students’ Science Learning

Despite that BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) technology model has been increasingly adopted in education, few studies have been reported on how to integrate various apps on BYOD into inquiry-based pedagogical practices in primary schools. This article reports a case study, examining what apps on BYOD can help students enhance their science learning, and how students develop their science knowledge in a seamless inquiry-based learning environment supported by these apps. A variety of qualitative data were collected and analyzed. The findings show that the affordances of the apps on BYOD could help students improve their science knowledge without time and place constraints and gain a better sense of ownership in learning.