Motivational factors that influence students' participation in outdoor activities

The aim of this research was to study five groups (18 to 26 years old) in order to identify the main motivational factors that influence participation in outdoor activities. A triangulation method, including open-end questionnaires, unstructured conversation and participant observation was employed for investigation.

Five main categories of motivational themes appeared to trigger both female (n=81) and male (n=27) Romanian students participation in outdoor activities. These include the opportunity to enjoy and have fun; to meet new friends and interact; to escape from daily routine and family; to enjoy natures beauty and to explore unknown territories. Female and male students attached a slightly different importance to each of the above motives. It was also found that these motives determine, to an extent, the decision for initial engagement in activities but when it comes to systematic participation the particular situational factors are also very important.     

Motivational factors that influence students' participation in outdoor activities

The aim of this research was to study five groups (18 to 26 years old) in order to identify the main motivational factors that influence participation in outdoor activities. A triangulation method, including open-end questionnaires, unstructured conversation and participant observation was employed for investigation.

Five main categories of motivational themes appeared to trigger both female (n=81) and male (n=27) Romanian students participation in outdoor activities. These include the opportunity to enjoy and have fun; to meet new friends and interact; to escape from daily routine and family; to enjoy natures beauty and to explore unknown territories. Female and male students attached a slightly different importance to each of the above motives. It was also found that these motives determine, to an extent, the decision for initial engagement in activities but when it comes to systematic participation the particular situational factors are also very important.     

The influence of perceived convenience and curiosity on continuance intention in mobile English learning for high school students using PDAs

Mobile learning aims to utilise communication devices such as mobile devices and wireless connection in combination with e-learning systems, allowing learners to experience convenient, instant and suitable learning at unrestricted time and place. Participants were 125 Taiwanese senior high school students, whose continuance intention was examined after learning English via PDAs (personal digital assistants). The study, using the one-group post-test design, adopted the Technology Acceptance Model and incorporated factors such as curiosity and perceived convenience. The results indicated that (1) curiosity had a positive effect on continuance intention; (2) perceived convenience had a positive effect on perceived usefulness and continuance intention.     

Understanding the factors that shape dispositions toward students with disabilities: a case study of three general education pre-service teachers

Presently, there is limited research that explores how the nature of pre-service teachers’ prior experience informs their dispositional development, and it has yet to be determined whether the pedagogical needs of these prospective teachers vary based on their level of prior exposure. This qualitative case study examines the dispositions of three pre-service teachers enrolled in a year-long graduate education programme in the United States and considers the role that prior experience plays in their dispositional development. Findings from this study reveal that participants’ dispositions appear to be affected more significantly by coursework and fieldwork than by prior experience, and the culture of the school plays a critical role in a pre-service teachers’ dispositional development. This study addresses gaps in current research by offering insight into the nuanced nature of pre-service teachers’ dispositional development.     

影响课堂教学质量因素之分析

课堂教学包括诸多因素，这些因素都影响着课堂教学的质量。应该讲，影响课堂教学质量的关键是上课，前提是备课，对学生客观公正的评价是导向，是调控。本针对当前在这三方面存在的问题作了简要的分析。     

Exploring the temporal dimension of forum participation in MOOCs

Discussion forums are increasingly central to massive open online courses (MOOCs), and it is vital for learners to participate in associated forum activities. Active forum participation positively relates to learner achievement in that more posts yield better learner performance. However, this numerically aggregated measure overlooks the fact that longitudinal trajectories of forum participation temporally vary among learners with different motivations in taking MOOCs. To provide timely support for learners to stay engaged, it is important to understand the temporal variation of longitudinal forum participation and how different motivations account for the variance. Using educational data mining techniques, this research identified three clusters with different longitudinal participation trajectories and also indicated that intrinsically motivated learners outperformed others in their longitudinal forum engagement. Also, examining longitudinal forum participation more accurately differentiated learner performance than the numerically aggregated measure. Last, learners persistently engaging in forums were more likely to perform better in MOOCs.     

Examining the role of Filipino elderly attitudes toward computer and internet on their behavioral intention for telehealth participation

ABSTRACT

Health technologies like computers and the internet are considered as essential tools in addressing various health problems of various age groups including the elderly. Through a multi-aspect survey questionnaire, this study examined the role of attitudes toward computer and internet on the behavioral intention for telehealth participation among a select group of Filipino elderly who underwent a basic computer and internet training for Telehealth program. Using regression analysis, results showed favorable attitude toward computers (x = 6.23) and internet (x = 6.40) among the elderly respondents after a computer literacy training. Their behavioral intention to use telehealth was greatly influenced by ‘computer confidence’ (β = 0.24) and ‘web usefulness’ (β = 0.24). Results of this study highlight the importance of telehealth literacy program in ensuring compliance and engagement among the older adults.     

Developing an empirically based typology of attitudes of entering students toward participation in learning communities

Learning communities (LC) seek to strengthen and enrich students’ connections to each other, their teachers, and the subject matter they are studying. Their success depends on the nature of the learning community program, the learning styles of the students who participate and the reasons why students entered the program. This study uses a combination of factor and cluster analysis to develop a typology of student experiences that is used to examine the efficacy of the Learning Community program at Temple University, Philadelphia. The findings identify distinctive types of learning community experience and show that not all types match well with all students. The study questions the common assumption that learning communities are always helpful to student learning and development, and cautions against the belief that benefits will inevitably accrue. The variation in the value and impact on students of this long‐standing learning community program suggests that the evaluative burden of proof is for administrators to clearly demonstrate and not assume a uniformly positive impact of learning communities.     

试析影响国家安全观的诸因素

国家安全观是指有关安全问题的理论，它决定着国家安全政策和战略的有效性。影响国家安全观的因素有利益因素、化因素、地理因素、心理和认知因素以及国际形势等。由于受到各种因素在不同时期、不同程度上的影响，国家安全观不断发展变化。     

Perceived usefulness predicts second language learners’ continuance intention toward language learning applications: a serial multiple mediation model of integrative motivation and flow

Education and Information Technologies - Mobile language learning has attracted much attention in recent years. Previous research has demonstrated a relationship between perceived usefulness and...     

Exploring the factors that influence knowledge sharing between academics

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of organisational and individual factors on the knowledge sharing behaviour of UK academics. Although there a few articles that explore knowledge sharing between academics in an Asian context, there is currently only one article that explores this topic in a UK context. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 academics to gather insights into their views on the factors that affect knowledge sharing. Findings demonstrated that academics are prepared to share different types of knowledge; a range of factors affecting this process were highlighted by interviewees. Trust was discussed more than other individual factors and was often associated with social exchange. Culture was described by most interviewees as collaborative and leaders were generally considered to have integrity, but often did not themselves share knowledge. Regular face-to-face contact was emphasised as being critical for knowledge sharing. This study demonstrates there is a culture of trust in most departments and academics are willing to share knowledge with their colleagues. They do, however, believe that the matrix structure, that is typical of academic departments, has resulted in unclear roles and responsibilities, which could hinder the design of structures to promote collaboration and sharing.     

Beyond cultural and geographical proximity: delving into the factors that influence the dynamics of academic relationships between students in higher education

Higher Education - Scholars have widely recognised the importance of academic relationships between students at the university. While much of the past research has focused on studying their...     

浅谈警校体育教学对学生综合素质的影响

警察是一种较为特殊的职业,对从业人员的身体素质有着较高的要求。而警校作为重要的警察培养基地,其体育教学的功能与作用更是不容忽视。本文分析了当前警校体育教学的现状、教学的方法与内容,从学生的体质、心理健康、综合能力几个方面,探讨了体育教学对学生综合素质的影响。     

试析影响统计数据质量的九大导因

现实的统计数据质量确实存在严重的问题,危害巨大。笔者试图从宏观的,诸如统计管理体制;微观的,诸如统计手段、方法、指标体系等九个因素,探析原因,进而有针对性地提出措施建议。     

Health-related quality of life and classroom participation of deaf and hard-of-hearing students in general schools

A group of deaf and hard-of-hearing (D/HH) students at mainstream schools (N = 212) was investigated in a questionnaire-based survey using the Inventory of Life Quality of Children and Youth (ILC) and the Classroom Participation Questionnaire. The ILC data for the D/HH sample are for the most part comparable with the data from a normative hearing sample. Item-total correlations showed that the domains of school and social activities with peers were more important for the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) of the D/HH students than for that of the hearing students. The results also reveal differences in the HRQoL levels of the two samples, with the D/HH sample having higher scores for school experiences, physical and mental health, and overall HRQoL, though the effect sizes for the differences are small to moderate. Specific characteristics of the D/HH sample may be responsible for this result. There are also relationships between quality of life and perceived classroom participation in certain domains: Students who perceive classroom participation as satisfying have higher scores for quality of life in school, social contact with peers, and mental health. This also applied to the scores for global assessment and a summarized quality of life indicator.     

英语测试中影响完形填空难度因素的实证研究

完形填空被认为是一种测试综合语言能力、阅读理解能力的快捷经济的方式。本研究就可能影响完形填空难度的几个变量进行实证探讨, 其中包括语篇类型、删词类型及答题方法。本研究以98 名高三学生为实验对象,完成3 篇填空式完形测试和3 篇选择式测试 测试完成后,笔者对实验数据进行收集、分析, 探究这些变量对完形填空测试难度的影响,并试图在命题难度的把握上找到一种更为合理、科学的测试方法。