Introducing a project-based assignment in a traditionally taught engineering course

This study seeks to explore whether a combination of traditional teaching methods with project-based learning (PBL) activities can improve the student learning experience in an engineering course of soil mechanics. As an alternative to the traditional type of assignment that consisted of several textbook problems, a project-based assignment was introduced in 2015 so that students could work on real-world geotechnical problems throughout the whole semester. Students were permitted to choose whether they would undertake the project-based assignment or the traditional one, thus forming the ‘project’ and ‘non-project’ groups, respectively. The academic performance of these two groups was compared on the basis of student marks while the student experience was evaluated through a series of interviews. The data collected over 3 years indicated that students from both groups had very similar academic performances; however, the students who completed the project-based assignment reported better engagement in the learning process as they enjoyed the opportunity to experience the practical aspects of soil mechanics. The obtained results also revealed low motivation among students to embrace new learning approaches such as PBL, as the majority of them preferred more traditional methods of teaching.     

基于“三教”理念的文科高等数学教学策略与模式探索

文科高等数学作为大学数学课程的重要组成部分,能够提升文科生数学素养,促进专业发展。在"教思考、教体验、教表达"的教育理念指导下,此研究旨在探索文科高等数学课程的教学策略与课堂教学模式。通过调查、测试分析表明,以"三教"理念为指导,在教学中实施"情境-问题"教学模式,融入数学文化资源,促进了大学生学习态度的变化,提升了学习成绩。     

A Conditional Process Analysis of the Teacher Confirmation–Student Learning Relationship

Students enter college with varying degrees of academic self-efficacy, which influences how they respond to effective teaching behaviors. Teacher confirmation is one behavior that has received increased attention because it is thought to indirectly enhance students’ learning by reducing their receiver apprehension in the classroom. Findings from 208 college students supported the hypothesized indirect effects between teacher confirmation and students’ perceived learning through reduced receiver apprehension, but conditional process analyses revealed these indirect effects were moderated by students’ academic self-efficacy. These findings suggest the effectiveness of teacher confirmation behaviors varies among students, with those who lack academic self-efficacy deriving fewer of the intended educational benefits.     

‘What really matters to freshers?’: evaluation of first year student experience of transition into university

Measuring student experience in terms of satisfaction is a national measure used by prospective students when considering their higher education choices. Increasingly league tables are used as a means to rank universities with a limited interrogation of the reality of students’ experiences. This study explored the question ‘What really matters to freshers?’ during their transition into higher education through to completion. Students on an academic undergraduate Early Childhood Studies degree (n = 530) over a five-year period completed a Student Experience Evaluation in their first term and this data was correlated with the National Student Survey data collected about their cohorts in the final term of their degree. During the five year period, a number of interventions were undertaken by the academic staff to develop a learning community, based on the values linked to ‘being, belonging, and becoming’. The results of this study suggest that three things matter to students about their experience, that is, the academic staff they work with, the nature of their academic study and feeling like they belong. A model is proposed which aims to demonstrate the impact of academic staff, studies and the learning community that develops through social and academic experiences at University.     

Self-regulated learning and the role of ePortfolios in business studies

Students’ work in ePortfolios was assessed through a case study supported by observation techniques and eQuestionnaires to gather data from a sample of eighty students over a period of 4 years (20 students per academic year). The main purpose of the study was to explore whether ePortfolios can be used efficiently to support the learning process of postgraduate business students taking a course where finance modules were a major component. The use, role and learning value of integrating ePortfolios into the learning process in a higher education institution was analysed over the period of study. The empirical findings suggest that ePortfolios could be used to facilitate and enhance students’ self-regulated learning. Additionally, the role of the instructor was found to be fundamental during early stages of the learning process to guide and coach students on how to use the tool. This role diminished as students became familiar with the course requirements. Overall, students judged the ePortfolio as being positive to their education, noting a significant improvement in their learning experience when compared to a traditional learning approach. The evidence suggests that ePortfolios could be used to support technical and complex modules in a controlled environment. At the same time, ePortfolios were found to be flexible enough to give students creative space by helping them to integrate their own ideas and views through their learning process. Students were also able to offer their instructors feedback on their learning achievements.     

Mentoring in Higher Education: a synoptic overview

In 1995 academic staff in the Graduate Diploma of Education program from Charles Sturt University in Bathurst worked with teachers from 7 local high schools to co‐operatively deliver the Graduate Diploma of Education. Students were inducted into the profession of teaching by teachers and lecturers working together to ensure that students developed effective teaching skills, competence and confidence. The program emphasised learning to teach (and understanding students' learning) rather than learning about teaching. Practising teachers were involved in the planning and delivery of the program and students' induction into the profession. The program was firmly embedded in the context of current secondary schools and built on existing productive partnerships. This new program provided opportunities for students to develop more realistic and sustained contact with secondary schools and to develop reflective workplace practices. Students engaged in critical reflection on, and discussion of, their teaching with practising teachers and university lecturers. In what follows, we describe the process of reform and delivery of the new program from the perspectives of the students, teachers and lecturers involved.     

Exploring the Impact of Assessment on Medical Students’ Learning

Abstract

What and how students learn depend largely on how they think they will be assessed. This study aimed to explore medical students’ perception of the value of assessment and feedback on their learning, and how this relates to their examination performance. A mixed methods research design was adopted in which a questionnaire was developed and administered to the students to gain their perceptions of assessments. Perceptions were further explored in focus group discussions. Survey findings were correlated with students’ performance data and academic coordinators’ perceptions. Students’ perceptions of the level of difficulty of different assessments mirrored their performance in examinations, with an improvement observed in clinical assessments as students progressed through their degree. Students recognised that feedback is important to allow improvements and seek more timely, better quality and personalised feedback. Academic coordinators identified that some of the students’ suggestions are more realistic than others. Students had a positive attitude towards assessment, but emphasised the need for educators to highlight the relevance of assessment to clinical practice.     

Employing Wikibook project in a linguistics course to promote peer teaching and learning

Peer teaching and learning are learner-centred approaches with great potential for promoting effective learning, and the fast development of Web 2.0 technology has opened new doors for promoting peer teaching and learning. In this study, we aim to establish peer teaching and learning among students by employing a Wikibook project in the course ‘Introduction to Linguistics’ in the Hong Kong Institute of Education. Students were asked to work in groups to write an academic book online, and the Wikibook technology allows students to peer-edit and peer-comment on each other’s academic works online. Peer teaching sessions were arranged as well based on the content of the Wikibook. To determine students’ perceptions on peer teaching and learning occurring in the course, two surveys and follow-up interviews were conducted. The findings suggest that the Wikibook project is an effective way to promote peer teaching and learning in higher education.     

大学生课堂体验: 基于学生视角的教学质量评价简

学生是高等教育的主体,学生评教逐渐成为高校教学质量评价的重要组成部分。澳大利亚大学生课程体验调查作为教学质量评估工具,在该国得到不断的发展和完善,已经成为学生评教项目中的经典。本文对这一评教工具的研发背景、发展历程、相关研究结论与争议进行了总结,并依此提出了对我国学生评教的启示。首先,引导学生“评价教学”而非“评价教师”;其次,倡导多元的评教形式,与其他评价指标互为补充;再次,保证调查持续性,进行教学质量的追踪;最后,进行横向比较,提高教学改善的针对性。     

“双减”背景下班内分层教学及过程评价的实证研究

“双减”背景下,如何做到既减轻学生作业负担又保障学生学习质量是一个值得关注的问题。很多教师设计的局限于“作业”范畴的教学方案效果并不理想,因为班级授课制必然导致优秀生“吃不饱”和后进生“吃不消”的问题,而如果施行走班教学模式,则很多学校又达不到教学所需要的师资、教室和管理等条件。故此,以小学1~6年级“探究式名著阅读”为例,尝试小范围的班内分层教学与过程评价相结合的准实验研究。结果显示:不同知识基础和能力层次的学生,都能通过班内分层教学完成各自力所能及的学习任务;强化过程评价明显减轻了学生的作业负担;班内分层教学与过程评价的综合运用,在提高学生知识习得质量、促进其思维能力发展,以及激发他们的学习热情等方面,都具有明显的效果。其中,教学方案的精心设计、学生知识习得过程的可视化操作,以及各小组“小先生”的及时点评是取得成功的关键。     

Psychometric characteristics of a sexuality education survey for teachers of secondary school students with learning disabilities in Malaysia

Delivery of sexuality education to secondary school students in Malaysia started since 1989. However, this area of education was neglected for secondary students with learning disabilities. Therefore, in order to explore their needs for sexuality education, society's perceptions especially teachers’ towards this matter should be considered. To achieve this objective, it is important to conduct a needs analysis on teachers’ perceptions towards this topic. An instrument with good psychometric properties is needed to obtain consistent and reliable information. This paper describes the development and psychometric testing of the Sexuality Education Survey for Teachers of Secondary School Students with Learning Disabilities (SES). SES showed acceptable content validity, construct validity, and achieved satisfactory reliability. The instrument also has good stability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.95) to be adopted as an instrument for analysing the health and sexuality education needs of secondary students with learning disabilities in Malaysia.     

The Teacher Behavior Inventory: validation of teacher behavior in an interactive lecture environment

Students’ rating of teacher behaviors provides valuable information on teaching improvement and instructional quality. Unfortunately, there is a lack of new validated instruments for measuring teacher behaviors. The Teacher Behaviors Inventory is an old inventory that was initially developed to measure teaching behaviors as regards lecture-based instructions, which is effected through the use of low-inference items. The aim of this study was to assess its continued suitability in the present educational setting by examining its construct validity and internal consistency through the lens of one lecturer’s teaching behaviors, as rated by 527 students after six interactive lectures. The variables evaluated, as mentioned above, were achieved after an items removal process, which resulted in a 32-item version. Apart from being valid and reliable, this condensed version allows for immediate assessment of teaching behaviors after an instruction session as the rating procedure is now more straightforward and less time-consuming, and also enables a reduction in rating errors. Therefore, the 32-item format serves as a practical diagnostic feedback tool in the present educational arena, permitting a longitudinal teaching behavior assessment to enhance teachers’ professional development.     

Reflections of a ‘late-career’ early-career researcher: an account of practice

This account of practice describes the journey of an ‘accidental academic’ through the Doctoral programme in Business Administration (DBA). It reflects on her experience of action learning and lessons learned to better embed action learning in future DBA teaching and assessment. The account is told from the perspective of a mature student straddling business and academic interests. DBA students represent a mature cohort with significant business experience and responsibility. As such, they have an implicit understanding of action learning. Action learning for these individuals should be re-activated rather than re-learned for their doctoral studies. Suggestions are made for improving the utility of action learning for DBA students and their willing engagement in the action learning process.     

Learning science by doing science: an authentic science process-learning model in postsecondary education

Research on understanding the full extent that an authentic science research experience engages students in how scientists think and act is sparse. ‘Learning-science-by-doing-science’ (LSDS) is an emerging self-guided process-learning model in postsecondary science education. It offers authentic science research opportunities that drive students to think and act like scientists. This study investigates the LSDS approach as a potential model for science learning at postsecondary level and aims to answer a main research inquiry – what are the students’ and teaching staff’s perceptions of students’ learning gains and the quality of their learning experiences in an authentic research environment within the LSDS model? To answer this question, data were collected from the students, alumni, instructors, teaching assistants and the program director via questionnaires, focus groups and interviews. Students’ and staff’s lived experiences and their perceptions on their authentic research experiences within the LSDS model were used to articulate the key attributes and stages of the LSDS model. The outcomes of this study can be used to help other science programs implement similar authentic research process learning approaches in their own contexts.     

Preservice teachers’ attitudes,attributions, and stereotypes: Exploring the disadvantages of students from families with low socioeconomic status

In many educational systems, students from families with low socioeconomic status (SES) often score lower in academic achievement than their high SES peers. Even though this effect is well-documented and research on teachers’ stereotypical beliefs and attitudes is steadily increasing, the studies so far did not specifically focus on students’ SES. In the current study, we explored preservice teachers’ implicit attitudes and their stereotypical and prejudiced beliefs toward low SES students as well as their causal attributions for the low educational success of low SES students. Results showed that teachers had negative implicit attitudes toward low SES students and that they more strongly associated competences and good learning and working habits with high SES students. The correlations highlighted the role that stereotypes play in causal attributions. Participants who more strongly associated low SES with competence and good working and learning behaviors were less likely to endorse internal attributions but were more likely to emphasize external attributions. Hence, when preservice teachers see low SES students as having high ability, they also strongly view the educational system as a source of the disadvantages that low SES students experience in school.     

After-school tutoring in the context of no Child Left Behind: Effectiveness of two programs in the Pittsburgh Public Schools

The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation has created pressure for districts to improve their students’ proficiency levels on state tests. Districts that fail to meet their academic targets for 3 years must use their Title I funds to pay for supplemental education services (SES) that provide tutoring or other academic instruction. Many districts, including the Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS), have also adopted additional tutoring programs designed to help students reach proficiency goals. This paper examines student participation and achievement in two PPS tutoring programs—the NCLB-mandated SES program and a state-developed tutoring program. We examine the characteristics of students participating in each program, the effects of participation on student achievement, and the program features that are associated with improved achievement.     

学生学习视野中的高校教学质量建设研究

大学生的学习是关系高校教学质量的根本因素。以学习为中心加强教学质量建设是美国等西方发达国家高等教育的共同经验。当前,我国高校教学质量建设进入"深水区",呼唤从"教"到"学"的范式转换。为此,我们要真正树立以"学"为中心的教学和教学质量建设理念,构建以"学"为中心的人才培养体制,加强大学生学习过程管理,实行以"学"为中心的教学质量评价和保障,加强大学生的学习观教育。     

大学生自主学习能力培养中存在的问题及对策

自主学习能力培养是高等教育的重要内容,但就现状而言存在着一些问题。高校忽视学生的学习适应过程,缺少学业激励机制。教师持有管理学生的传统观点,学生自主性不高。大学生的专业热情低迷,心理不够成熟,很难在学习过程中形成自我监控。针对这些问题,学校应确保学习资源充足,丰富兴趣激励机制,教师也应以服务学生为定位,关注学生的个性特征,重视学习策略的传授。     

The Mediating Effects of Approaches to Learning on the Academic Success of First-Year College Students

Students’ personal predictors of academic success are particularly relevant for first-year college students, given the specific challenges that these students face when entering higher education (HE). Academic success in HE has been related to multiple factors, including the students’ approaches to learning (SAL), satisfaction (linked to commitment and persistence), study time (effort), and prior academic achievement. This study analyzes the combined effect of these predictors on perceived academic success. Data from 247 students was collected using the Approaches and Study Skills Inventory for Students and other specific measures to assess presage and process variables of academic success. Although academic success is multidimensional and difficult to explain, factors such as prior academic achievement, satisfaction with the course, SAL, and study time contribute to explain perceived academic success in first-year college students.     

Students teach students: Alternative teaching in Greek secondary education

The students of a Greek junior high school collaborated to prepare the teaching material of a theoretical Computer Science (CS) course and then shared their understanding with other students. This study investigates two alternative teaching methods (collaborative learning and peer tutoring) and compares the learning results to the traditional learning context. A test was used to measure all participating students’ learning results and a questionnaire was distributed to record participant student attitudes towards the alternative teaching conditions. The questionnaire was designed to evaluate each aspect in terms of perceived knowledge, experience, satisfaction, diversity, oddness and interest. The analysis explores potential differences of students’ learning results between alternative and traditional teaching and also differences in the two aspects in relation to students’ preferences. Results provide evidence that active-learning methods can promote positive attitudinal shifts and improve skills in creativity, teamwork, collaboration and communication. Students perceived higher levels of learning than with traditional teaching. Finally in terms of students’ preferences, the majority wanted to have more courses taught with active-learning methods.