Changing academic task persistence through a self-instructional attribution training program

The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether a self-instructional method of attribution training could effectively alter both academic task persistence and effort attributions for success and failure. Ninety children with low-effort attributions were identified and randomly assigned to three groups. The two experimental groups (experiential and formal presentation) were given training with two slightly different self-instructional procedure and compared to a control group receiving no such training. The results revealed that both experimental groups receiving the self-instructional attribution training evidenced significant differences from the control group in both academic task persistence and effort attribution.     

The Effects of Formative Evaluation and Remediation on Mastery of Intellectual Skills

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to test Gagne’s hypothesis that attention to prerequisites should be more effective than repeated practice of a final task when learning intellectual skills. Ninety eighth-grade general science students studied self-instructional materials on the construction and interpretation of graphs. After each of three lessons each subject took a diagnostic test covering the objectives of the instruction. Subjects in Group 1 received additional instruction on prerequisites as remediation. Subjects in Group 2 received additional practice items as remediation, and subjects in Group 3 received no remedial activity. Students receiving remedial instruction did significantly better than those receiving only main-line instruction. Students receiving additional instruction on prerequisites did significantly better than those receiving additional practice items as remediation.     

Improving the Quality of Practicum Learning: Self-Study of a Faculty Member’s Role in Practicum Supervision

Abstract

This self-study of activities as a practicum supervisor in several secondary schools focuses on the supervisor’s contribution to the quality of a teacher candidate’s professional learning in the context of a familiar tension between on-campus courses and in-school practicum experiences. Data from both formal and informal supervisory experiences are taken from notes recorded in classes with those supervised formally, records of notes taken in practicum observations, and email messages exchanged with teacher candidates about their supervision experiences. Analysis of formal supervision experiences generated a series of insights into candidates’ experiences of the practicum, a modest innovation in supervisory practice, and important reminders arising from a significant error in personal practice as a supervisor. Informal supervision experiences involved visits arising from invitations to observe extended by candidates in the author’s physics methods course. These experiences generated opportunities to test an alternative supervisory strategy focused on candidates’ perceptions of their learning from experience. Related literature includes the topics of learning from experience, reflective practice, and the potential significance of an epistemology of practice. In closing, attention is given to trustworthiness, the personal significance of the study and connections to the teacher education literature.     

Conceptual Development and Information-Processing: A Study of Teachers

Abstract

This study examined the effects of three self-instructional approaches of teaching diagnostic problem-solving (troubleshooting). Two of the approaches attempted to simulate student-equipment interaction via programmed and text instruction while a third approach utilized actual equipment. After forty-five community college students received an orientation to equipment operation, fifteen were randomly assigned to each of the three treatments. Criterion variables included troubleshooting knowledge, troubleshooting performance, and attitude toward instruction received. Results indicated that the equipment approach was superior to non-equipment simulation approaches in terms of troubleshooting performance outcomes. Correlational analyses of criterion variables provided some evidence that relationships between attitude and behavior were dependent upon the instructional approach used.     

从新课程理念看化学微格教学中的“提问技能”

“提问技能”是微格教学的教学技能之一,大量的教学实践表明,加强化学微格教学中“提问技能”的教学和训练能有效解决师范生课堂教学中在处理教材、组织课堂教学、衔接各知识点或各知识块等方面的薄弱环节,使化学微格教学的训练更有针对性、更有效。尝试从新课程对未来教师教学专业素养的要求角度,审视化学微格教学中“提问技能”在培养师范生教学技能方面的教学价值和教学策略。     

Facilitating conditions for farmer learning behaviour in the student-to-farmer university outreach

Purpose: This study elucidates on how faculty supervision support to students during farm placements and other facilitating conditions influence farmer learning in the student-centred university outreach.

Methodology/Design/Approach: Cross-sectional data were collected from a sample of 283 farmers who had previously hosted students of Gulu University in the student-to-farmer university outreach. Structural equation modelling was used to analyse how faculty supervision support to students in combination with other facilitating conditions affect the formation of intentions for learning and actual farmer learning behaviour.

Findings: Faculty supervision support in the student-to-farmer outreach was found to significantly influence formation of intentions for learning (β?=?0.380; t?=?5.263; P?β?=?0.182; t?=?2.081; P?Practical implications: Faculty supervision support to students is critical to fostering lasting learning relationships in university outreach. Thus, it needs to be a part of the transformation agenda of the higher education sector for improved community linkages and innovation.

Theoretical implications: Empirical data obtained from the context of student-centred university outreach is used to extend the model of facilitating conditions.

Originality/Value: The study addresses how faculty supervision support together with farmers’ perception of student attitudes and the value of the learning content influence farmers’ learning behaviour during university outreach.     

Writing dance: Tensions in researching movement or aesthetic experiences

Dotti researched how students in her tertiary dance class ascribed personal meaning to her use of different dance pedagogies. Jane was involved in the supervision of her thesis within the research process. However, what they discovered was a tension between researching and writing about artistic experiences within the confines and limitations of traditional academic scholarship. In this article each tells her story and shares how these tensions were or were not addressed. They then look at what a thesis is and what different forms of thesis presentation have been used. Finally, some suggestions are offered as to how both academic scholarship and artistic integrity might be maintained in a formal research process. The authors suggest that as an academic community there is a need to seek new ways of researching creative fields, such as dance, so that the academic process does not strangle the artistic endeavor.     

Verbal self-instructional training: An examination of its efficacy, maintenance, and generalisation

The study examined the differential efficacy, maintenance and generalisation effects of verbal self-instructional (VSI) training on reading disabled children. Type of sub-culture (Tribal Vs. Non-tribal) is crossed with type of cognitive stage (concrete Vs. formal operation) to produce four training groups with 15 subjects per cell. The subjects were trained for 10 weeks and retested for post-test and follow-up data. While VSI training was beneficial to non-tribals and children of formal operational stage, it failed in case of tribals and children of concrete operational stage. VSI effects were maintained over four months time and evidenced clear generalisation effects.     

Facilitating the learning process in design-based learning practices: an investigation of teachers’ actions in supervising students

Background: In research on design-based learning (DBL), inadequate attention is paid to the role the teacher plays in supervising students in gathering and applying knowledge to design artifacts, systems, and innovative solutions in higher education.

Purpose: In this study, we examine whether teacher actions we previously identified in the DBL literature as important in facilitating learning processes and student supervision are present in current DBL engineering practices.

Sample: The sample (N=16) consisted of teachers and supervisors in two engineering study programs at a university of technology: mechanical and electrical engineering. We selected randomly teachers from freshman and second-year bachelor DBL projects responsible for student supervision and assessment.

Design and method: Interviews with teachers, and interviews and observations of supervisors were used to examine how supervision and facilitation actions are applied according to the DBL framework.

Results: Major findings indicate that formulating questions is the most common practice seen in facilitating learning in open-ended engineering design environments. Furthermore, other DBL actions we expected to see based upon the literature were seldom observed in the coaching practices within these two programs.

Conclusions: Professionalization of teachers in supervising students need to include methods to scaffold learning by supporting students in reflecting and in providing formative feedback.     

Educating Older Adults about Medicare: The Role of Cognitive Variables

ABSTRACT

A survey was conducted on 3,738 beneficiaries about their knowledge of the Medicare program as well as their reading habits, reading comprehension ability, and metamemory. Factor analysis yielded a reading and a metamemory factor. These factors explained variance in knowledge about Medicare above and beyond the variance explained by formal education. Individuals with good knowledge of memory processes, and those who reported high memory capacity and internal locus of control regarding their memory functioning, as well as frequent readers were more knowledgeable about Medicare. We suggest that cognitive variables be included in studies evaluating the effectiveness of educational materials for older adults.     

数学微型课及其教学设计

为了提高高师学生教学实践能力,倡导开展微型课的试教训练,从对微型课的认识人手,结合高师学生教学案例,探讨微型课及其教学设计．微型课的特点有：规模小、环节齐,目标准、重心明,节奏紧、效率高,理念新、创意好．微型课的教学设计策略为：目标定位具体化,课题引入情境化,主题教学问题化,例题设计梯度化,师生互动自然化,小结反思条理化．     

A Study of Experimental Methods for Teaching Emotionally Disturbed,Brain Damaged,Retarded Readers

Abstract

A study was conducted to investigate possible differences in verbal exchanges between supervisors and teachers contrasting clinical supervision and traditional supervision. Past study of supervisors indicated that they were predominantly authoritarian in their relationships with teachers. Clinical supervision was hypothesized to create a more democratic relationship as revealed by the verbal interaction. Seven supervisors each worked with one teacher in the clinical pattern and one in the traditional pattern. Their post-observation conferences were taped and analyzed by trained observers using Blumberg's A System for Analyzing Supervisor Teacher Interaction. Univariate ANOVA analysis of the data revealed a significant difference between the treatment groups favoring the clinical supervision style. Teachers responding on a semantic differential scale also favored the clinical supervision style.     

Introducing Sex Education in the Formal Education System in Nigeria

Abstract

Evidence exists about the increasing rate of sexual involvement, decrease in age of first sexual experience and the existence of different forms of sexual aberration such as prostitution, sexual exploitation and rape among Nigerian youth. In spite of these problems sex education has not been included in the framework of the formal education system in Nigeria. The introduction of sex education in our formal school system is now necessary not only to provide adolescents with valuable knowledge about sex, but also as a means of averting risks associated with unplanned coital sex such as teenage pregnancy, illegitimacy and other medical and psychological risks. This paper attempts to answer questions related to such issues as who should teach sex education, whether sex education should be taught as a subject or integrated into some or all school subjects, the content of sex education and how sex education materials should be presented. It is anticipated that the introduction of sex education in the formal school system is likely to lead to some conflicts with cultural and religious norms and with existing sex knowledge which youths have from their peers, magazines, pictures and pornography.     

‘Am I doing it right?’ Conceptualising the practice of supervising master’s dissertation students

ABSTRACT

An action research project involving 25 master’s supervisors, from health and education disciplines, sought to enhance their understanding of dissertation supervision. Recognising that they were sometimes slightly unsure about their role, they sought to identify issues that contributed to this circumstance, and to develop supervisor preparation materials to support future colleagues. During interviews and collaborative workshops, colleagues shared their experiences and reflected with one another on the nature of supervision. Through this process, they constructed a model that conceptualises how they practice. The core element is an ongoing assessment of a student’s readiness, motivation and individual situation. In response to this assessment, supervisors balance three functions: Facilitating, Nurturing and Maintaining Standards. Facilitating encourages student growth through challenge or stimulation. Nurturing involves the provision of support and reassurance within a safe space in which this growth can occur. Maintaining standards ensures that academic and professional rigour are preserved.     

Self-instructional videocourses: a cost-effective approach to in-service training of teachers in special education

The article describes employing a short self-instructional videocourse as a form of in-service education for teachers of children with severe learning difficulties. The study examines the feasibility of training teachers to implement simple teaching games in the classroom, aimed at enhancing the basic number skills of children with severe learning difficulties. Teachers'attitudes to the materials were positive, and the videocourse was effective in helping to improve the counting ability of a sample of thirty children. The provision of training opportunities for teachers using videocourses is supported. The article concludes with a discussion of some of the features of the self-instructional model employed in the study.     

Preservice teachers' acquisition and retention of integrated science process skills: A comparison of teacher-directed and self-instructional strategies

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of two methods of instruction designed to teach preservice elementary teachers to acquire and retain integrated science process skills. In one section instruction was provided by the teacher, whereas in the other section, instruction was provided by written self-paced self-instructional materials. Results indicated that the self-instructional method was significantly more effective than the teacher-directed method. Both treatments produced long-lasting retention effects.     

论微格教学中的问题及对策

通过问卷对宁波大学微格教学情况进行了调查,分析了微格教学在开课时间、技能训练内容、教学过程、考核标准、指导教师能力等方面存在的问题,并从教师、学生、学校管理等角度提出了完善课程编制、加强课程的实施管理、改进课程评价、改善保障条件等改革微格教学的对策。     

当前教育督导评价中的病理现象及诊治探研

评价是教育督导体系的重要组成部分,为督导工作健康有序地发展起不可磨灭的作用。然而,当前我国督导评价工作中病理现象异常严重,包括评价过程流于形式、评价材料弄虚作假、评价指标硬化、评价内容片面化、评价主体单一化、评价结果实效性不高等六大问题。这些问题阻碍了督导评价功能的正常发挥,因此,对其病理现象的认识及诊治探讨具有重要现实意义。     

Career‐span education for the chemistry teacher

This paper considers the implications of the Cognitive Acceleration through Science Education (case) project results for science teaching methods. Results are summarized briefly and then the peculiar features of the case methodology and subject‐matter are described and consideration given to how they could be incorporated into any science curriculum. In particular, the use of cognitive conflict, metacognition, and bridging are described, and set in the context of the development of formal operational thinking. Finally, the potential roles of printed materials and INSET are reviewed for introducing such features into the professional repertoire of science teachers.     

The effect of cognitive self-instructional strategies on preservice teacher's locus of control

The efficacy of a cognitive self-instructional procedure in altering the locus of control orientations of preservice teachers was investigated. Sixty-seven subjects were randomly assigned to one of three groups: experimental, attention control, or assessment control. The measure used to assess the relative effectiveness of the treatment procedure was Rotter's Locus of Control Scale (I-E). The experimental treatment consisted of 6 h of instruction in cognitive monitoring and the use of self-instructional strategies for planning, instructing, and managing classroom behavior. The results indicated that the selfinstructional training was effective in changing preservice teachers' locus of control to more internal orientations. The implications of enhancing reflective thought and problem-solving ability by explicitly training novice and experienced teachers to talk to themselves were discussed.