A Research on Middle School Students’English Reading Obstacles and Strategies

English reading,a key procedure of English learning and teaching in middle school,is an essential way of getting information from the globe and communicating with others.Therefore,efficient comprehension on reading materials will directly serve for accepting the information.And it is extremely important for middle school students to acquire certain reading ability.At present,great attention has been paid to the course of reading in the instruction of English by the Chinese Education Department.But middle school students’read ing ability is still much lower than the target they should reach because of a set of existing obstacles that prevent them from being effective English readers.What are these obstacles? How to break them down? This paper will first point out and then analyze the obstacles that af fect middle school students’reading ability from two aspects:linguistic obstacles(obstacles of lexicon,grammar and background knowl edge) and non-linguistic obstacles(obstacles of psychology,interest,skill,and habit).After demonstrating different obstacles,the paper also come up with some corresponding strategies in the hope of helping middle school students to be effective English readers.     

Middle School Students’ Science Self-Efficacy and Its Sources: Examination of Gender Difference

The main purpose of the present study is to investigate middle school students?? science self-efficacy as well as its sources and outcomes as a function of gender. Bandura??s hypothesized sources of self-efficacy (i.e., mastery experience, vicarious experience, verbal persuasion, and emotional arousal) in addition to being inviting with self and inviting with others were examined as sources of self-efficacy, while cognitive and metacognitive strategy use was examined as an outcome of self-efficacy. A total of 1,932 students participated in the study and were administered self-report instruments. Results showed that the relationship between science self-efficacy and its proposed sources does not change as a function of gender. All proposed sources, except for vicarious experience, were found to be significantly related to students?? scientific self-efficacy. Moreover, girls were found to experience significantly more emotional arousal and to send positive messages to others more than boys. On the other hand, no gender difference was found concerning science self-efficacy and strategy use. The findings also revealed a positive association between science self-efficacy and strategy use. Overall, findings supported Bandura??s conception of self-efficacy and suggested invitations as additional sources of self-efficacy.     

The Effect of Two-dimensional and Stereoscopic Presentation on Middle School Students’ Performance of Spatial Cognition Tasks

We investigated whether and how student performance on three types of spatial cognition tasks differs when worked with two-dimensional or stereoscopic representations. We recruited nineteen middle school students visiting a planetarium in a large Midwestern American city and analyzed their performance on a series of spatial cognition tasks in terms of response accuracy and task completion time. Results show that response accuracy did not differ between the two types of representations while task completion time was significantly greater with the stereoscopic representations. The completion time increased as the number of mental manipulations of 3D objects increased in the tasks. Post-interviews provide evidence that some students continued to think of stereoscopic representations as two-dimensional. Based on cognitive load and cue theories, we interpret that, in the absence of pictorial depth cues, students may need more time to be familiar with stereoscopic representations for optimal performance. In light of these results, we discuss potential uses of stereoscopic representations for science learning.     

The Influence of Loneliness and Interpersonal Relations on Latina/o Middle School Students’ Wellbeing

This study examined associations of loneliness and relationships (e.g., teacher/student relationships, peer support, and family support) with wellbeing among Latina/o middle school students. A hierarchical regression analysis demonstrated that age and loneliness predicted wellbeing; older students and students with high levels of loneliness reported higher wellbeing. The interaction effect between loneliness and peer support suggested that peer support was related with wellbeing only among students high in loneliness. Similarly, the interaction effect between loneliness and family support suggested that family support was associated with wellbeing only among students high in loneliness. Implications for addressing cultural determinants of wellbeing are provided.     

The Effect of Guided Inquiry-Based Instruction on Middle School Students’ Understanding of Lunar Concepts

This study investigated the effect of non-traditional guided inquiry instruction on middle school students’ conceptual understandings of lunar concepts. Multiple data sources were used to describe participants’ conceptions of lunar phases and their cause, including drawings, interviews, and a lunar shapes card sort. The data were analyzed via a constant comparative method to produce profiles of each participant’s conceptual understandings and nonparametric tests also were used. Results revealed very positive performance for observable moon phases and patterns of change, as well as the cause of moon phases. Results indicated that significantly more participants shifted from drawing nonscientific shapes on the pretest to drawing scientific shapes on the post-test. Results for the drawings of moon phase sequences were similar in that significantly more participants shifted from drawing alternative waxing and waning sequences on the pretest to drawing scientific sequences on the post-test. Also, significantly more participants shifted from alternative understanding of the cause of the moon phases on the pretest to scientific understanding on the post-test. Implications of these findings and recommendations for further research are provided.     

The Impact of Student-Constructed Animation on Middle School Students’ Learning about Plate Tectonics

Journal of Science Education and Technology - There is a need for research-informed instructional approaches that promote school students’ deep conceptual understanding of abstract geological...     

The Impact of a Geospatial Technology-Supported Energy Curriculum on Middle School Students’ Science Achievement

Geospatial technologies are increasingly being integrated in science classrooms to foster learning. This study examined whether a Web-enhanced science inquiry curriculum supported by geospatial technologies promoted urban middle school students’ understanding of energy concepts. The participants included one science teacher and 108 eighth-grade students classified in three ability level tracks. Data were gathered through pre/posttest content knowledge assessments, daily classroom observations, and daily reflective meetings with the teacher. Findings indicated a significant increase in the energy content knowledge for all the students. Effect sizes were large for all three ability level tracks, with the middle and low track classes having larger effect sizes than the upper track class. Learners in all three tracks were highly engaged with the curriculum. Curriculum effectiveness and practical issues involved with using geospatial technologies to support science learning are discussed.     

The Role of Simulation-Enabled Design Learning Experiences on Middle School Students’ Self-generated Inherence Heuristics

Journal of Science Education and Technology - In science and engineering education, the use of heuristics has been introduced as a way of understanding the world, and as a way to approach...     

Promoting Middle School Students’ Understandings of Molecular Genetics

Genetics is the cornerstone of modern biology and understanding genetics is a critical aspect of scientific literacy. Research has shown, however, that many high school graduates lack fundamental understandings in genetics necessary to make informed decisions or to participate in public debates over emerging technologies in molecular genetics. Currently, much of genetics instruction occurs at the high school level. However, recent policy reports suggest that we may need to begin introducing aspects of core concepts in earlier grades and to successively develop students’ understandings of these concepts in subsequent grades. Given the paucity of research about genetics learning at the middle school level, we know very little about what students in earlier grades are capable of reasoning about in this domain. In this paper, we discuss a research study aimed at fostering deeper understandings of molecular genetics at the middle school level. As part of the research we designed a two-week model-based inquiry unit implemented in two 7th grade classrooms (N = 135). We describe our instructional design and report results based on analysis of pre/post assessments and written artifacts of the unit. Our findings suggest that middle school students can develop: (a) a view of genes as productive instructions for proteins, (b) an understanding of the role of proteins in mediating genetic effects, and (c) can use this knowledge to reason about a novel genetic phenomena. However, there were significant differences in the learning gains in both classrooms and we provide speculative explanations of what may have caused these differences.     

The Effect of a Computerized Simulation on Middle School Students’ Understanding of the Kinetic Molecular Theory

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a dynamic software simulation on the understanding of the kinetic molecular theory by 7th graders. Students in the control group (n = 62) studied a curricular unit that addressed the differences in arrangement and motion of molecules in the three phases of matter. The experimental group (n = 71) studied the same unit combined with a few computer lessons using a software simulation. The results indicate that the students in the experimental group scored significantly higher than those in the control group. Nonetheless, while both groups of students improved their understanding of the kinetic molecular theory, the overall achievements were very low. These findings suggest that the simulation improved the understanding of the 7th graders; however, it was insufficient in itself to promote meaningful learning. Statistically significant gender differences were not observed. This paper concludes with a discussion of the educational implications of this study.     

面向21世纪的高中物理教学大纲

2 0 0 1年秋季河北省普通高级中学高一年级将使用教育部颁发的新物理教学大纲 ,本文通过与原高中物理教学大纲相比较 ,总结出新大纲的几个主要特点。从课程整体改革的高度认识物理课的变化 ,转变教育观念 ,以适应 2 1世纪社会的需求。在教育科研工作中 ,贯彻新大纲 ,全面提高学生素质     

基于J2ME手机移动课程表的设计与实现

在青岛职业技术学院移动学习课题背景下,开发基于J2ME手机移动课程表查询系统。确定系统总体架构,对MIDP设备屏幕开发包进行研究,实现系统界面设计。对程序中按键设置、事件处理等设计方法逐一分析,以决定如何响应用户的操作,实现人机交互。对手机记录存储设计的方法进行研究,完成数据的保存和处理。对日期型数据在记录存储中存取的解决方案进行分析,实现各个记录库之间的数据一致性等关键技术。本项目在实际应用中实现了预期功能,达到了预期目标。     

新课程背景下中小学教科书的发展与趋势展望

第八轮基础教育课程改革特别提出在实行国家基本要求指导下的教材多样化政策前提下改革中小学教材指定出版的方式和单一渠道发行的体制,教材审查实行编审分离。在新的教材建设政策的指导下,我国中小学教科书的建设取得了长足的发展。在如此大规模的改革中,难免会遇到一些困难,出现一些曲折,文章分析了基础教育课程改革中中小学教科书发展中出现的问题,并展望了未来的发展趋势。     

农村中小学生课外阅读调查

课外阅读是扩展中小学生知识面、发展学生智力、培养学生文化素养的重要途径。运用自编的问卷,对5所农村中小学16个班级的学生进行了调查。结果发现：（1）农村中小学生普遍存在课外阅读的兴趣;（2）中小学生课外阅读量少;（3）学校图书馆提供的阅读条件不能满足学生的需要;（4）乡镇图书室或农家书屋不能为中小学生阅读提供良好条件。     

体育教学大纲与新课程标准的对比研究

对我国大、中、小学传统体育教学大纲、教学摸式和新课程体系的诸多方面进行了对比分析研究.改变教学观念、完善实施办法势在必行;改革和发展学校体育与健康课程大纲,注重学生健康意识和能力的培养是现代教育和素质教育对我们提出的新要求.     

《化学课程标准》与《初中化学教学大纲》的比较

《化学课程标准》与《初中化学教学大纲》相比 ,更符合素质教育的要求。《化学课程标准》以学生的发展为本 ,以提高学生的科学素养为宗旨 ,重视科学、技术与社会的相互联系 ,倡导以科学探究为主的多样化学习方式     

高中语文新教材的特点和实施

全日制高中语文新教材具有体例、编排新和内容新两个明显的特点。要很好地运用新教材这一实施新课程计划、落实新大纲的载体搞好语文教学,必须对其实施、使用进行认真的研究、探索。     

中国、以色列中学生生活满意度的跨文化研究

比较中国和以色列两国中学生生活满意度的差异,揭示社会文化对青少年生活满意度的影响。采用《多维学生生活满意度量表》(MSLSS)对309名中、以两国的中学生进行测查。结果如下:(1)MSLSS是适合于中、以中学生生活满意度跨文化研究的有效工具;(2)在各个特殊生活满意度领域中,两国中学生均以家庭满意度最高;(3)中国中学生的朋友、学校和一般生活满意度均显著高于以色列中学生。     

中学生学校道德情感教育构想

道德情感是随着人类社会不断发展而产生的一种特殊的情感,健康的道德情感可以陶冶出一个人良好的人格品质。学校作为中学生成长的主要场所,在他们的成长过程中更需要进行有效的道德情感教育,尤其是在敬畏、责任、荣辱、关怀和感恩情感几方面。为增强中学生道德教育的有效性,学校道德情感教育的构建就日益显示其重要性。     

“大学理念、中学管理”模式的建构与实践

基于校情和生源状况的深入分析,围绕我国高等教育迅速发展的大背景,以定西师范高等专科学校为实证,提出不发达地区新建地方高校学生管理的一种有效模式——“大学理念、中学管理”模式,并在实践的基础上进行学生管理工作思路、内容和方法的创新。