Lifelong Learning for Employment and Equity: the Role of Part‐time Degrees

The last few years have seen a growing debate and new initiatives by government and other agencies on the concept of lifelong learning. The objectives of these have been to provide better access to a broad knowledge base and to develop individuals' employability and economic success. But lifelong learning is not a new phenomenon. In the UK and elsewhere many adults have always studied for a variety of reasons and in a variety of ways. Study through part‐time degrees has long been one option for many adult learners. This paper draws on data from a study undertaken for the Department for Education and Employment on the employment of part‐time students and considers whether part‐time study benefits people's careers and whether some people benefit more than others.     

The Future of Jobs and the Jobs of the Future: A Decade of E‐Performance

What kinds of jobs will replace those lost during the last Great Recession? How can we avoid the toxic effects of systemic high unemployment among our young and elderly? The answer might be at our fingertips and in the same smartphones we use for entertainment and socializing. E‐performance apps are a promising new field for performance improvement. This article discusses these new trends and presents a practical case developed for turning slums into livable neighborhoods in Argentina.     

试析自我图式对成就动机的影响

每个人都有着丰富的自我图式,它们是过去自我、可能自我以及应该自我。自我图式对成就动机有重要影响,决定成就动机的指向、力量和调节等重要方面。建构合理的自我图式可以激发成就动机,有多种途径可以建构自我图式。     

Examining the Impact and School‐Level Predictors of Impact Variability of an 8th Grade Reading Intervention on At‐Risk Students’ Reading Achievement

The purpose of the present article is to report on a large‐scale investigation of six school districts’ implementation of an initiative aimed at reducing dropout rates by improving reading achievement in the middle grades. Data for the Middle School Intervention Project (MSIP) were collected in 25 middle schools across the state of Oregon. We examined (a) the degree to which the schools improved reading achievement for struggling readers in 8th grade, and (b) whether we could account for school differences in the treatment effect through measured explicit and intensive intervention factors. At the end of 8th grade there was no evidence of significant or positive effects on the two primary reading outcome measures.     

The Effect of Two Years of Tutoring on Mathematics and Reading Achievement

This study investigated the cognitive impact of two years of tutoring on disadvantaged children in a “big-brother” type program. Although tutors were not specifically required to upgrade achievement, almost all assumed this to be a major thrust of their activities. Mathematics and reading skills were measured over a two-year period for children tutored two years, one year, and not at all. Findings indicate that one year of tutoring yielded some cognitive gains; however, a second year of tutoring did not increment them. Less emphasis on achievement goals during the second year of tutoring appeared to account for these results.     

Determinants of Sleep Duration Among High School Students in Part‐Time Employment

Adolescents who work while attending school are reported to sleep less than those who do not. This study aimed to identify factors associated with short sleep duration in students who work during the school year. A cross‐sectional survey aiming to describe working conditions and occupational safety and health was completed by representative samples of Quebec high school students aged 12–19 years from three administrative regions (n = 3,871). A multiple stepwise regression analysis was performed with sleep duration as the dependent variable, and sociodemographic, school, occupational, and health factors as potential explanatory variables. Significant factors associated with shorter sleep duration were later bedtimes (p < .001), shorter weekend oversleep (p < .001), higher physical work factors related to handling efforts (p < .001), and female gender (p < .01). Addressing work conditions of student workers may help prevent sleep deprivation. Special efforts should also target girls combining work and study.     

The Effects of Within-Class Ability Grouping on Academic Achievement in Early Elementary Years

Abstract

By incorporating two theoretical frameworks this study examines how school characteristics shape first-grade reading ability-grouping practices, and how this, in turn, affects students’ reading achievement. The author uses the data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study and applies the propensity-score method to examine whether first-grade ability grouping improves student achievement, whether ability grouping increases achievement inequalities, and whether its effects vary by student initial abilities and/or school contexts. Findings support an argument that ability grouping is an organizational response to problems of diversity in the student body. Schools that use ability grouping are likely to have heterogeneous ability compositions. They are also public, low-performing, low socioeconomic status, and high-minority schools. In these schools, ability grouping has no effects or negative effects, particularly for low-ability students. In contrast, ability grouping may improve achievement for all students in schools with advantageous characteristics, mostly private schools, and may reduce achievement inequalities, because low-ability students benefit the most from this practice.     

The Benefits of Part‐Time Undergraduate Study and UK Higher Education Policy: a Literature Review

Part‐time study in the UK is significant: nearly 40 per cent of higher education students study part‐time. This article reports on a literature review that sought to understand the economic and social benefits of part‐time study in the UK. It concludes that there are substantial and wide‐ranging benefits from studying part‐time. The article also aims to place the discussion in the current policy context by drawing attention to the fact that while part‐time study is seen as important for increasing the global competitiveness of the UK economy, expansion of higher education has tended to focus on the young, full‐time student; furthermore, part‐time study is less generously resourced compared to full‐time study. New policy pronouncements made in 2009 appear to recognise these policy contradictions, which state that most future growth will be in provision other than the full‐time, 3‐year undergraduate degree. Indeed, the Government's independent review of fees has recognized that parity of funding is an issue and its recommendations on part‐time study have been endorsed by the government.     

The Impact of Emotions on Student Achievement in Synchronous Hybrid Business and Public Administration Programs: A Longitudinal Test of Control‐Value Theory*

Synchronous hybrid delivery (simultaneously teaching on‐campus and online students using Web conferencing) is becoming more common in higher education. However, little is known about students’ emotions in these environments. Although often overlooked, emotions are fundamental antecedents of success. This study longitudinally examined the role of students’ emotions (enjoyment, anxiety, and boredom), perceptions of control, value, and success in synchronous hybrid learning environments. In particular, the investigation assessed students’ self‐reported enjoyment, anxiety, and boredom as predictors of their program achievement and successful technology use. Students were recruited from synchronous hybrid MBA and MPA programs. Control‐value theory of emotions was used as the theoretical framework. Paired samples t‐tests revealed that the achievement domain, compared to the technology domain, yielded higher mean scores for control, value, enjoyment, anxiety, and boredom. In addition, mixed ANOVAs indicated an interaction effect in which group means for program boredom were significantly higher for on‐campus students than for online students. Intercorrelations in each domain showed that perceived success was positively related to enjoyment and negatively related to anxiety and boredom. Technology‐related anxiety was also found to fully mediate the positive effect of control on perceived success in using technology.     

30年变迁 中国教育改革的辉煌足迹

改革开放30年,是中国飞速发展的30年,也是中国教育事业腾飞的30年.从高考制度的恢复到今天的教育规模以及30年教育环境的巨大变化都体现了我国教育改革的伟大成绩.在这短短30年的时间里,我们每一个中国人都亲身感受着社会经济取得的翻天覆地的变化同时,通过30年的教育数字对比更看到了这30年中国教育事业腾飞发展的历程.     

The Structure of Peers: The Impact of Peer Networks on Academic Achievement

Research in Higher Education - Peer effects are an important contributing factor in the learning process. Most of the prior literature on peer effects focuses on the characteristics of peers rather...     

英国早期教育从业者QCF资格认证及其启示

资格和学分框架(Qualifications and Credits Framework,QCF)是英国面向各类职业通过学分授予进行技能与资格认证的体系,具有认证系列丰富多元,认证级别循序渐进,学分组合灵活的特点。对英国2015年早期教育从业者准入资格QCF3级文凭的课程设置进行分析,发现其具有课程方向多元,共享课程重视基本素养积淀,必修课程突出实践能力培养,选修课程注重保教能力扩展的特点。我国可以借鉴该认证体系的经验,建立标准化、统一化的资格认证,形成多系列多级化的资格体系,构建多层次课程结构与贯通式学分系统。     

Beyond Black and White: The Impact of Asian Peers on Scholastic Achievement

This paper examines the effects of Asian peers on non-Asian student achievement in New York City public schools. We use exogenous variation in the share of Asian students across cohorts within schools stemming from a fertility shock among the Asian population in the Chinese year of the Dragon. Results show that a 10-percentage-point increase in the share of Asian students reduces non-Asian math and ELA scores by 0.14 and 0.16 standard deviations. The reduction in achievement is associated with an increase in the share of non-Asian students who fail to demonstrate the skills expected at the grade, especially in math.     

近年来教育类课程研究成果述评

一、教师的素质结构合格教师素质的内涵是设置教育类课程的出发点和依据 ,而教育类课程从根本上说都是为了培养未来教师的素质服务的 ,所以有不少学者把教师的素质结构和教育类课程放在一起探讨 ,如邓志伟曾在华东师范大学学报 (哲学社会科学版 )上撰文就“2 1世纪教育素质的基本内涵与教育课程改革”的问题进行过专门讨论。因此 ,在述评学者对教育类课程研究的研究成果时 ,笔者认为有必要首先对学者们在教师的素质结构这一问题上的研究成果做一番归纳。顾明远先生在题为《提高未来教师的基本素质是迎接 2 1世纪教育中的优先课题》的报告中 …     

The Impact of Charter Schools on Promoting High Levels of Mathematics Achievement

Abstract

This study compares achievement levels for high ability students attending charter schools and students in traditional public schools in Georgia. Researchers examined student achievement (as assessed by the state's Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests) using three comparison groups: students in the closest traditional schools with similar grade levels, schools with similar demographics, and comprehensive school reform schools. Hierarchical loglinear analysis was used to determine the impact of school type and student demographic variables on student achievement mobility (i.e., the degree to which students, from 2004 to 2005, moved into or out of the top 10% of each grade level on the CRT mathematics subtest). Results for the first comparison did not provide evidence of a significant relationship between school type and achievement mobility, but results for the second and third comparisons suggest that Black students generally experienced positive or neutral achievement mobility in traditional schools and negative mobility in charter schools; White students generally saw negative achievement mobility in traditional schools and neutral to positive mobility in charter schools. Implications for the study of gifted education and gifted students within charter schools are discussed.     

The Impact of Time Spent Coaching for Teacher Efficacy on Student Achievement

Coaching for increased teacher efficacy (both instructional and self) has been an essential component to various educational reforms such as No Child Left Behind; Reading First projects and Early Reading First Projects. Those seeking to improve teacher performance leading to enhanced student outcomes on various state assessments have also incorporated coaching into the methodology. The purpose of this study was to look at the linkage between hours spent coaching teachers in the classroom for efficacy in content instruction and child achievements/outcomes. A significant correlation was seen in year one between the time coaches spent in the classroom and students’ alphabet recognition scores. The coaching model for year one was one that focused coaching for instructional efficacy in specific content and teaching methods and saw the coaches directly facilitate and support theory to practice. In year two and three, no significant correlation was found. Year two and three used a coaching model which was less specific in focus and increased time spent on site with teachers. The implications for coaching practice includes balancing time between four components to effective coaching; (1) instructing for specific content, (2) modeling techniques and instructional practices, (3) observing teacher practices and (4) consulting for reflection.     

The Impact of Self-assessment on Achievement: The effects of self-assessment training on performance in external examinations

Can the quality of students' work be improved through training in self- assessment practices? This paper considers the impact of training high school students on their performance in external examinations. Teachers were selected from a sample of high schools and trained in how to develop students' self-assessment skills. Ten high schools representative of the top, middle and bottom levels of academic achievement in national examinations were chosen and students trained in self-assessment by their normal class teachers as part of their final year curriculum. An experimental group comprising 256 participants received formal training in self-assessment skills for the entire three terms of the academic year. A control group was selected from matched classes not receiving such training. A significant difference favouring those trained in self-assessment was found overall and in each curriculum area. While it is demonstrated that self-assessment training can have an impact on student performance the paper considers the circumstances of the study and whether similar outcomes might be possible in less favourable conditions.     

中学生课堂计算机使用对其数学成绩的影响

在计算机使用对学业成就影响的研究中,研究者得出的结论是不一致的.这可能是因为现有研究多数未能控制其他影响变量,而只能说明计算机使用与学业成就的相关关系.倾向分数方法是一种可做因果推断的统计方法.选取北京市24所中学所有七、八年级学生及其数学教师进行施测,运用倾向分数方法探讨学生计算机使用与数学成绩之间的关系.结果表明:在数学课堂中常使用计算机的学生,其成绩显著高于那些不使用或很少使用计算机的学生.