Students' use of the energy model to account for changes in physical systems

The aim of this study is to explore the ways in which students, aged 11–14 years, account for certain changes in physical systems and the extent to which they draw on an energy model as a common framework for explaining changes observed in diverse systems. Data were combined from two sources: interviews with 20 individuals and an open‐ended questionnaire that was administered to 240 students (121 upper elementary school students and 119 middle school students). We observed a wealth of approaches ranging from accounts of energy transfer and transformation to responses identifying specific objects or processes as the cause of changes. The findings also provide evidence that students do not seem to appreciate the transphenomenological and unifying nature of energy. Students' thinking was influenced by various conceptual difficulties that are compounded by traditional science teaching; for instance, students tended to confuse energy with force or electric current. In addition, the comparison between the responses from middle school students and those of elementary school students demonstrates that science teaching and maturation appeared to have a negligible influence on whether students had constructed a coherent energy model, which they could use consistently to account for changes in certain physical systems. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 45: 444–469, 2008     

Students' use of the x-intercept as an instance of a transitional conception

This article uses an evolutionary perspective of conceptual change to consider in detail a conception in the domain of linear functions. The analysis focuses on the nature of students' use of the x-intercept in equations of the form y = mx + b by summarizing the results of written assessments and presenting two case studies of students exploring and discussing linear equations and their graphs. I argue that the uses of the x-intercept documented in this study are not a superficial error, a simple mismatch with convention, or a misconception. Instead, this student conception is analyzed as an instance of a ‘transitional conception:’ a conception which is the result of sense-making, reflects the complexity of the domain, is productive in some contexts, and has the potential for refinement. The participants in the study were nine pairs of ninth and tenth grade students from an exemplary first-year algebra course. These students participated in videotaped discussion sessions with a peer of their choice where they used graphing software to explore linear equations and their graphs. The discussion sessions involved problems designed on the basis of student conceptions suggested in previous research (Moschkovich, 1989; Schoenfeld, Smith & Arcavi, 1993) and in classroom observations (Moschkovich, 1990). Protocol analysis of the videotaped discussion sessions was used to explore the nature and transformation of students' conceptions in this domain. Several uses of the x-intercept were documented in the written assessments and in the videotaped discussions. I summarize the results of the written assessments and present an analysis of the discussions for two pairs of students to show that the use of the x-intercept can be framed as a ‘transitional conception’ This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Students' use of content in Web-supported academic courses

The use of the Internet as an instructional tool in higher education is rapidly increasing. Today, there is an increase in the development of academic course websites with huge amounts of learning materials imbedded within them. However, there is little empirical evidence regarding the actual use of these contents by students. In this study, a computer log is used to evaluate how online contents are consumed and to identify the individual differences among students in terms of contents usage and the amount of contents that are presented in Web-supported course sites. The findings of this study show that the amount of content that is accessed is very high, but large differences exist among students. The authors conclude with some ideas for further implications of information retrieved from the Web log as related to content usage in academic websites and show the relevance of logs and content usage for the evaluation of Internet implementation in higher education institutions.     

The development and use of a faculty salary model for a higher education system

Most of the earlier attempts to develop faculty salary models have been based on data from a single institution or from an undifferentiated group of institutions, without a data base adequate to support the design. The overall objective of this paper is to report on the development, characteristics, statistical findings, and utility of a faculty salary model employed over the period 1978–79 to 1980–81 for a higher education system containing 16 institutions ranging from a comprehensive university to a small rural community college in complexity and mission. The need for the model grew out of requirements for the governing board to: (1) deal with litigation and the issues of equity for minorities and females; (2) make interinstitutional salary comparisons as these relate to size, complexity, and mission; and (3) better understand the factors which determine faculty salaries.     

Promoting understanding of chemical representations: Students' use of a visualization tool in the classroom

Many students have difficulty learning symbolic and molecular representations of chemistry. This study investigated how students developed an understanding of chemical representations with the aid of a computer‐based visualizing tool, eChem, that allowed them to build molecular models and view multiple representations simultaneously. Multiple sources of data were collected with the participation of 71 eleventh graders at a small public high school over a 6‐week period. The results of pre‐ and posttests showed that students' understanding of chemical representations improved substantially (p < .001, effect size = 2.68‐. The analysis of video recordings revealed that several features in eChem helped students construct models and translate representations. Students who were highly engaged in discussions while using eChem made referential linkages between visual and conceptual aspects of representations. This in turn may have deepened their understanding of chemical representations and concepts. The findings also suggest that computerized models can serve as a vehicle for students to generate mental images. Finally, students demonstrated their preferences of certain types of representations and did not use all types of three‐dimensional models interchangeably. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 38: 821–842, 2001     

Simplification and improvement of prediction model for elastic modulus of particulate reinforced metal matrix composite

1 Introduction a Elastic modulus is an important index to reflect the resistance of a composite against deformation under an applied force. Elastic modulus measurement of a composite is restricted by some factors, for instance, test samples need to confor…     

运用颠倒课堂促进大学生学习

随着教学改革的不断深入,新的教学模式正在蓬勃发展,颠倒课堂在美国教学应用中带来了有目共睹的教学效果。中国的大学教育有一部分课程正向着颠倒课堂的方向发展,大部分课堂能做到的是给学生提供视频资源、实时在线交流,但并未实现真正意义的颠倒课堂。基于此,通过对颠倒课堂发展历程的描述、与传统教学模式的对比,从颠倒课堂在大学实施过程中所面临的挑战和大学生学习的特点,来论述为什么颠倒课堂适合大学生学习,以及如何运用颠倒课堂来促进大学生学习并提出相应的建议。     

Students' Pedagogical Thinking and the use of ICTs in Teaching

This article discusses students' pedagogical thinking in situations where the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) has a (well-defined) pedagogical role and rationale. By analysing students' pedagogical thinking in this setting, it is also possible to better understand their motivations and self-regulation. Pedagogical thinking as viewed from the student's angle is a new area of educational research. Our research method is a combination of the Stimulated Recall interview and the semi-structured theme interview. In addition, some background data were gathered by questionnaire to discern students' different uses of ICTs and their contexts. The findings suggest how the educational use of ICTs is considered to be meaningful and motivating by both genders and among all the interviewed age groups, in spite of the fact that an acute and vocal critique seems to develop among older students. The differences reside in students' reasoning regarding decision making in task operations between genders, which was one of the background variables—girls actively include identity and opinion, while boys emphasize the quality of performance as motives for decisions.     

以生为本构建学生和谐发展的平台

高职院校是培育人才的重要基地,必须把培养中国特色社会主义事业的建设者和接班人作为根本任务;高职院校要坚持学校教育、育人为本,德智体美、德育为先的新观念,全方位推进大学生思想政治教育。     

Reaction Cards as a Formative Evaluation Tool: Students' perceptions of how their use impacted classes

This article explores students' perceptions of how their input on 'reaction cards' affected their classes. Reaction cards - index cards upon which each student writes remarks related to each day's class activities - were used in 10 classes across seven disciplines as a means of formative evaluation. Open-ended survey questions about the reaction cards were completed anonymously by 195 students at mid-term and by 184 students at the end of the semester. Faculty also reported on how they used the cards and their perceptions of how the cards impacted their classes. At mid-semester, students indicated that the cards had a positive impact on their classes. The cards improved communication, increased students' involvement in the course, and improved their connection to the material. At the end of the semester there were some negative comments related to the tedium of filling out the cards in each class. Reaction cards can provide a simple but powerful tool for gathering data that can be used to modify and improve courses as they progress.     

Implementation of a collaborative data use model in a United States context

Collaborative data use requires educator capacity in moving data to action to address root causes of student underperformance. Implementation of the model used in the present study has proved promising in European countries for building educator capacity and addressing problems-of-practice, but this model has not been studied in the United States (US), where structural issues and accountability factors present different challenges. In the present study, we explored enabling and hindering factors of the implementation in an elementary school in the US to better understand how differences in policy and practice contexts influence collaborative data use. Organizational structures and some policies in the US hindered implementation. Drawing on our findings, we suggest shifting thinking around data use to accommodate for both short cycles of data use (for straightforward problems) and intentionally slow cycles for stickier problems; furthermore, nesting collaborative data use within high-priority initiatives may help mitigate barriers to future implementations.     

On Affective Strategies use in College Students' Autonomous English Learning

Autonomous study emphasizes the learner’s initiative,enthusiasm and creativity.In all fields of education,there is growing emphasis on "learner-centered" teaching methods and the ability of learner autonomy.Many experts and scholars have found that learning strategies plays an important role in English language learning,but the importance of affective strategy use in English learning is often ignored by people.Therefore,this paper focuses on the frequencies of affective strategies use in English learning and their relationships so as to enable college students to use positive affective strategies effectively to improve their autonomous learning ability.     

Students' insights on the use of video lectures in online classes

Video lectures (VL), considered an effective means for delivering course content and infusing teaching presence in the virtual environment, have become very popular in education. The purpose of this study was to investigate online student experiences with VL focusing on their opinion of usefulness of VL, their satisfaction with them and their perception of learning derived from them. Our findings show that students' satisfaction with VL has a strong relationship with positive overall learning experience and perception of impact of video on learning. Furthermore, VL can enhance a feeling of engagement with content because of learners' control of the media and instructors' presence. The findings also alert us on the importance of careful planning and balanced integration of VL with other course materials. This provides important information on the effectiveness of video-lectures in college teaching and learning and implications for practice in online course design.     

Students' voice on literature teacher excellence. Towards a teacher-organized model of continuing professional development

This study contributes to the development of empirically based, domain-specific teaching standards in upper secondary education. It is part of a Dutch project to develop ecologically valid teaching standards and to find a teacher-organized model for continuing professional development. A previous study about teachers' perceptions of what constitutes an excellent teacher of literature resulted in a set of six domain-specific teaching standards. In this study, an exploratory factor analysis was performed to find out which dimensions or characteristics of an excellent teacher of literature could be gleaned from the students' perspective. We found four similar and two complementary dimensions.     

基于灰靶决策模型的煤自燃程度判定方法

为了提高矿井煤自燃预测预报准确性,采用程序升温煤自燃氧化模拟实验,分析了煤自燃氧化过程中指标气体和煤温的变化规律,划分了煤自燃氧化阶段,确定了煤自燃适用的预测指标。基于多指标加权灰靶决策理论,提出了煤自燃程度多指标融合判定方法。结果表明:指标△CO/△O_2、△CO_2/△O_2和△CO/△CO_2均适用于煤自燃预测预报;煤自燃缓慢氧化、加速氧化和剧烈氧化阶段的温度范围分别为<60.4℃、60.4～121.9℃和>121.9℃,各阶段升温规律具有明显差异;采用多指标融合方法判定煤自燃程度,靶心距随煤温升高基本呈线性生成,数据分辨率得到显著提高,可有效提高煤自燃预测预报结果的准确性。     

Making sense of genetics: Students' knowledge use during problem solving in a high school genetics class

Interest in including ideas about the nature of science in instruction and research has led to the realization that, in addition to developing courses which offer students experience with science practice, it is important to understand the ways in which students learn and use science knowledge within such courses. The study reported here is based on a particular view of the nature of scientific practice: Science is collaborative; scientists use knowledge in the construction of new knowledge; and scientists' understanding of problems and problem-solving strategies change during knowledge construction. Given this perspective, the study examines the ways in which students in an innovative high school genetics class collaborate to construct knowledge as they develop genetics models. In this classroom, students use three kinds of knowledge: knowledge of genetics, permitting them to recognize anomalous aspects of new data and providing a template from which to develop new models; knowledge of the process of model revision, helping them make decisions about how to develop new models; and knowledge of their own problem-solving strategies, allowing them to “keep track” of what they have done, as well as make connections between the development of new models and their knowledge of genetics. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.