E-learning Contribution to the Enhancement of Higher Education Opportunities for Women in Saudi Arabia （Pilot Study）

Establishing the NCEDL （National Centre for E-learning and Distance Learning）, electronic universities are some initiatives to introduce e-learning to the KSA （Kingdom of Saudi Arabia）, which have led to a fast, strong, and impressive movement toward e-learning in the Kingdom. However, e-learning in Saudi Arabia is still in the early stage of its development due to many challenges of e-learning that will still have to be faced. E-learning in Saudi higher education has been examined in a number of studies. Yet, focusing on e-learning among Saudi women through the social and religious customs of society is not sufficiently examined. Therefore, this research seeks to investigate the possibilities that exist for the utilization of e-learning in the enhancement of the higher education opportunities of women in Saudi Arabia within the social customs and religious beliefs by identifying the barriers to higher education for Saudi women, the modes of e-learning that currently exist within the higher education programmes in the Saudi higher education system, how e-learning can support higher education opportunities for women in Saudi Arabia, and a successful model of e-learning to improve higher education opportunities for women in the KSA. In order to achieve the aim of this research, a pilot study was made by using a semi-structured interview as a method of data collection from Saudi females who live with their related （mahram） male in the United Kingdom and a three stage coding analysis of the grounded theory analyzing the data collected from the field to formulate a theory and a model. A primarily model was presented which described the contributions of e-learning to higher education of Saudi women. The model is presented consisting of three main categories： （1） social and religious barriers; （2） women＇s use of the Intemet; and （3） women＇s use of e-learning, as well as a number of sub-subcategories. In addition, the need to illuminate the ability of Saudi women to convert e-learning into a valuable educational achievement is demonstrated. The next stage of our research will investigate all of the issues indicated by the pilot study in order to improve the success of using e-learning for Saudi women＇s higher education and eventually to devise a research theory.     

An Analysis of the Effects of Communication Skills Training Provided to the Mothers of Six-Year-Old Children on the Social Skills of Children

This study aims to analyze the effects of communication skills training program provided to the mothers on the social skills of their children. The study uses pre- and post-tests control group design. Experiment and control groups consisted of a total of 30 six-year-old children who were enrolled in nursery school. Experiment group consisted of 15 children; control group consisted of 15 children. The mothers of the children in experiment group were provided communication skills training for 13 weeks. SSES （social skills evaluation scale） was administered to the children before and after the training. The results of pre- and post- tests were compared and the effects of mothers＇ training program on the social skills of the children were investigated.     

Web-based training on learning organization for electrical undergraduate students in Thailand

The purpose of this research was to utilize web-based training （WBT） to enhance students＇ knowledge of learning organization （LO） in a context of electrical technology education in Thailand. The sample chosen for this study included 19 fourth year undergraduate students. The WBT was based on the five disciplines according to Senge （1991） as well as the seven habits of highly effective people （Covey, 1989）. The tools for pre- and post- testing were LO model evaluation and knowledge of LO. The reliability of the instruments was 0.9274 and 0.9905 respectively. The data were analyzed by using mean （M） and standard deviation （SD）, t-test and Pearson product-moment correlation. When pre- and post- tests mean scores of the LO model evaluation and the knowledge of LO were compared, the mean scores of post-test training were greater than the mean scores of pre-test training. Moreover, there was a significant relationship between pre- and post- tests of LO model evaluation and the knowledge of LO. Thus, it can be concluded that the model of WBT can enhance students＇ knowledge of LO in this context.     

NC Lathe Training System Based on the Web

Based on an analysis of the requirement of network-oriented NC lathe training system, a general framework of web-based training system is established. The key techniques for establishing this system include a three-layer web structure in building the general framework, the technique of VRML to model a virtual operating environment, and the access to the database using the ASP technique.     

A recommendation for a new lnternet-based environment for studying literature

The effects of information and communication technologies, which are rapidly improving and spreading in the current age, can be seen in the field of training and education as well as in all other fields. Unlike previous technologies, the Internet, which is the concrete compound of those technologies, provides users with the trio of audio, text and visual materials digitally and simultaneously. This new learning environment, which allows users to individually plan the learning process according to their preferences, has been also effective in changing traditional attitudes and habits related to reading. Nowadays, parallel to these changes, it has become necessary to teach literature in a virtual environment, or, at least, to make a connection with that environment. In this study, the authors first discuss the condition of literature on the lnternet considering the lnternet-literature connection and the features of reading lnternet-based literary texts. Then, depending on a literature review, the authors propose a new Internet-based learning environment for teaching literature considering the extent of computer literacy, as defined by Shapiro and Hughes （1996）.     

Social and communicational skills in upper secondary vocational education and training

This article presents the methodology used by the Finnish Education Evaluation Council in the national evaluation of social and communication skills in vocational education and training. The evaluation concentrates on key competences such as learning-to-learn skills, communication skills, social skills and entrepreneurship （Implementation of Education and Stringfellow, 2005; Recommendation of the European Training 2010, 2004; Winterton, Delemare-Le Deist ＆ Parliament and of the Council of December 18, 2006 on key competencies for lifelong leaming, 2006）. The evaluation focuses particularly on skills required in the labour market. These competences are included in all vocational study programmes as a part of accompanying with other key competences. The authors＇ approach follows the principles of developmental and participative evaluation, applying the Common Quality Assurance Framework （CQAF） model, which has been accepted by the European Commission for the quality management and quality assurance framework for vocational education and training in Europe. Additional methods such as interview and statistical data gathering were used to acquire comprehensive data and ensure extensive participation of each partner involved has key competences. The evaluation material was collected from vocational education and training providers by sector （n=8） and by qualification （n=53）. Every sector and type of examination was included in the evaluation. The evaluation was based on a sample （n=130）. The evaluation data were collected from multiple sources by using multiple methods. The material included written self-evaluation reports by vocational education and training providers （n=130 which equals 95% of VET providers）, quantitative information, interviews organized by the National Board of Education and an evaluation seminar for providers as focus groups. Educational administrators, teachers, students, employers and workplace instructors participated in the self-evaluation of the vocational education and training establishments （multi-professional evaluation）.     

The role of new technologies in competence teaching in higher education： The case of accounting

The Spanish educational system will require certain changes in order to achieve the Bologna objectives for the European Higher Education Area, including a more professional profile, with new activities and roles for both students and teachers, who must assume new skills that will affect concepts and attitudes related to the teaching and learning processes within the framework of training projects. However, students must also take a leading role in the educational process by adopting independent, meaningful and cooperative learning methods. This process will imply a notable change of mindset for the typical Spanish students and will involve a high degree of collaboration between students and teachers. Teachers will have to choose suitable methodologies for achieving those objectives, within the academic framework and considering the characteristics of professional training in skills. In addition, they must create the appropriate structural and organizational conditions to carry out these activities （class size, space, educational organization, etc.）. This paper describes the authors＇ experience in designing learning methodologies for the teaching of accountancy in the business administration degree course at the Polytechnic University of Valencia. The paper is divided into three parts. The first part describes the methodology designed for teaching accounting, based on PBL （problem-based learning）, compiled with Internet-based technologies. We analyze its use and evolution in two accounting subjects in the first and the fourth years of the degree. The second part presents the results for each subject in these years. The authors also point out the differences between students who chose the learning methodology described and those who used the traditional approach. The final part of the paper presents the conclusions obtained from the statistical treatment of the results and the analysis of different options for correlating the information obtained. These results show that there is a direct correlation between the use of an active learning model--through the teaching methodology--and obtaining satisfactory exam results in the subject. Finally, the authors analyze these results and consider how they should be used for evaluating the suitability of the methodology and to determine whether it is necessary to redesign the methodology to fit in with the characteristics, conditions and limitations of the teaching and learning processes.     

English Training for College Student Volunteers at Sports Events

This paper studies English training for student volunteers at large scale sports events with a comprehensive investigation of the undergraduate student volunteers from Capital University of Physical Education who have taken part in large scale sports events.By examining the current volunteer training situation,the author finds that there is a sever lack of professional and systematical English training for student volunteers at large scale sports events.The study shows focusing on sports events knowledge and requirements of the volunteers’specific job is crucial to the service level of the volunteers.The study concludes that the problem can be solved by developing new course books,innovating new flexible training methods,and offering more comprehensive training content.The recommended training methods include intensive group training,computer aided teaching,task training and on-the-spot training to make them fit their work soon.     

Analysis of Higher Tourism and Hospitality Education in China

Tourism education plays an important role in supporting tourism development and providing qualified employees to meet the great demands in China. A lack of high quality educators and employees is a common concern of Chinese tourism and hospitality education. The role of higher tourism and hospitality education has become more and more important for Chinese tourism and hospitality education. The purpose of this study was to analyze the situation of Chinese higher tourism and hospitality education and to identify the constraints and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of it.The results suggest three main existing problems of current Chinese higher tourism and hospitality education: lack of practical training occurred both in teaching activity and the quality of teachers; poor curriculum design particularly the unbalance of theory and practice; and teachers require further study especially practical training and work experience.     

Identification of technology options for reducing nitrogen pollution in cropping systems of Pujiang

This work analyses the potential role of nitrogen pollution technology of crop systems of Pujiang, County in Eastern China‘s Zhejiang Province, rice and vegetables are important cropping systems. We used a case study approach involving comparison of farmer practices and improved technologies. This approach allows assessing the impact of technology on pollution, is forward looking, and can yield information on the potential of on-the-shelf technology and provide opportunities for technology development. The approach particularly suits newly developed rice technologies with large potential of reducing nitrogen pollution and for future rice and vegetables technologies. The results showed that substantial reductions in nitrogen pollution are feasible for both types of crops.     

Guest editorial

Manufacturing technologies for making advanced micro systems have been developing in a rapid pace recently. Research progress towards nanosized structures and devices opens up a whole new horizon for miniaturized system integration. Advances in this field will have an enormous societal impact and economic benefit in areas such as information technology, energy, healthcare, and many more. There has been an enormous scientific and industrial interest in nanosized advanced technologies. The theories, tools and practices for the design, manufacturing and test of these systems are emerging. The aim of this special section is to capture some of the latest developments in integration technologies for the micro/nanosystems, with the following topics： Molecular and crystal assembly inside the carbon nanotube： encapsulation and manufacturing approachesElectroplating for high aspect ratio vias in PCB manufacturing： enhancement capabilities of acoustic streaming Local synthesis of carbon nanotubes for direct integra tion in Si microsystemsdesign considerations Waferlevel SLID bonding for MEMS encapsulation Effect of substrates and underlayer on CNT synthesis by plasma enhanced CVD These papers will briefly highlight important advance ments in manufacturing technologies of the micro/nano systems, and outline the blueprint of upcoming information technology revolution from the manufacturing point of view.     

The teaching of socioscientific issues in interdisciplinarity biology-philosophy, an ethical stake and citizenship issue

This research starts from a relatively optimistic thinking based on the fact that the teaching of the socioscientific issues through the practice of argued debates can contribute positively towards education in scientific citizenship. The teaching of techno-sciences raises topical questions which interfere in the classroom and at the same time carry scientific and social controversies within which it is possible to anchor the construction of new knowledge and citizen＇s behaviours. These controversial issues raise more questions and motivate the pupils more. Setting these topics for debate in the classroom could ＂restore, if only a little, what＂ Astolfi likes to call ＂the taste of knowledge （savoirs） ＇since the two words （saveur and savoir） come from the same Greek root＇ sapere＂, as Astolfi, 2006, marvellously put it in the foreword to the recent book How to teach socially acute questions （Legardez ＆ Simonneaux, 2006）. The present contribution is research in progress. It questions a protocol of training of future teachers. The principal objective is to train the pre-service teachers to teach socioscientific issues （SSI）. Like Funtowicz and Ravetz （1992, 1993）, we think that the SSI belong to ＂Post-Normal-Science＇. Accordingly, we will study the contribution of the training in epistemic, social and ethical values in the analysis of socioscientific issues by biology and philosophy future teachers. We will analyze the evolution of teacher trainees＇ decision-making after training on 3 socioscientific issues （the oncomice, the baby drug, the therapeutic cloning） and the impact of this socioepistemologic and ethical training on their teaching practices.     

A Study of Cognitive Characters and Cognitive Strategy Training of Learning Disabilities

The article analyzes the matter of cognition of learning disabilities, and tries to explore the characters of learning disabilities＇ cognitive process. On the basis of mainstream cognitive strategy training, the problems that should be noticed in the process of learning disabilities＇ cognitive strategy training are discussed.     

Thoughts on Erudition,Culture and Music in Teacher Training

The start of higher education of primary school teachers in 1959 marks a definitive step in a process. This training has had an effect on all areas. In terms of music training, different periods can be observed which appears during the full strategic change of the training. Professionals, however, have always tried to find the proper place for music which has to be fought for from time to time. Music education has never lost sight of the Kodaly concept in public education. We aim to prepare our students to internalize the abilities necessary to become a successful primary school teacher, keeping in mind the requirements of qualification for the major. In this process, the changes taken place in the Hungarian higher education were determinative. Music education practically has kept its place in general and special primary school teacher training. The major of primary school teacher is a definitive undergraduate course in the teacher training field. Its importance directly shows in public education. One of the crucial points of education should be the formation of values of schoolchildren. General education is a cultural level different in every society and age that a society sets as a standard for its members. This education itself should have a European culture as a prerequisite with Hungarian characteristics.     

Collaborative learning in a VLE based common module

The Masters Level Opportunities and Technological Innovation in Vocational Teacher Education project （http：//motivate.tmpk.bmf.hu/） aims to develop the use and management of virtual learning environments in the area of vocational teacher training, drawing on a well established international partnership of institutions providing both technical and educational expertise. This paper gives an overall picture of the first results and products of the contribution. The author touches upon the goals, the assessments and the learning process of using ＂multimedia and e-learning： E-learning methods and tools＂ module in details. The main collaborative tools in virtual learning environment from point of view of pedagogical approach are presented. The communication during collaborative learning, the structured debate on forum and the benefits of collaborative learning in VLE are interpreted at the end of this paper.     

English Listening Strategies by College Students in Web-based Self-access Environment

The findings of the present study affirm the value of strategy training.On the one hand,it shows strategy training is valid and feasible.On the other hand,it will benefit both language teachers and students in that it not only helps students become more successful to learn a foreign language but also provides teachers a meaningful way to focus their efforts.However,strategy training in this thesis is tentative,so the present study is subject to several limitations owing to the author’s lack of the experience.     

The analysis of the Distinction of NSs and NNSs and its Significance in ELT

The distinction of’native speakers’(NSs) and’non-native speakers’(NNSs),and their roles in English teaching has led to great discussion in the field of EFL and ESL recently.Despite the limitations of this distinction,it is meaningful in the field of language teaching when both groups of speakers’potential advantages and disadvantages in language teaching are equally recognized.The distinction of NSs and NNSs English teachers tells about the background information of the two groups,and therefore enables the teachers and professions to assess the pros and cons of them in real teaching practice,so as to initiate possible cooperation or to design reasonable syllabi for teacher training programs.     

Abstracts

Confusion of teacher-training in Japan and endeavors in private colleges
ZHANG Li
Ever since the late 1990s, the teacher training policies in Japan have been increasingly upgraded, yet teacher training colleges （private ones） are enduring contradictions and confusion for various social reasons. This paper reviews the confusion of current teacher training in private Japanese colleges, and explores ways to solve the confusion by analyzing the practice in the Junior College of Tokai University, reflecting on the new modes of the changing teacher training and the functions of universities in the new era.