Enhancing comprehension in small reading groups using a manipulation strategy

Having young readers manipulate objects to correspond to the characters and actions in a text greatly enhances comprehension as measured by both recall and inference tests. As a step toward classroom implementation, we applied this manipulation strategy in small (three-child) reading groups. For successive critical sentences, one child would read the sentence aloud and then manipulate the objects, then the next child would read and manipulate, and so on. Children in a reread control condition also alternated reading the text. For the reread condition, one child would read the critical sentence and then reread it, followed by the next child, and so on. Children who manipulated were substantially more accurate in answering questions about the texts. Thus, the manipulation strategy meets at least some of the criteria for being applicable in a classroom setting, namely it is effective when applied in small groups.     

Applying web-based co-regulated learning to develop students' learning and involvement in a blended computing course

This research investigated, via quasi-experiments, the effects of web-based co-regulated learning (CRL) on developing students' computing skills. Two classes of 68 undergraduates in a one-semester course titled “Applied Information Technology: Data Processing” were chosen for this research. The first class (CRL group, n = 38) received the intervention of web-based CRL teaching methods, while the second one (control group, n = 30) received a traditional teaching method for computing education. The results in this study show that students who received the web-based CRL attained significantly better computing skills than those who received the traditional teaching method. This study provides a design and illustration of web-based CRL for teachers, educators, and schools which place importance on improving students' computing skills and pay attention to development of online courses.     

网络学习社群在计算机专业课程教学中的应用

分析探讨了计算机专业课程的特点及现存的主要问题,提出将网络学习社群的应用贯穿到各个教学环节,形成一种相对完善的教学模式.对网络学习社群在教学应用过程中应注意的问题进行了详细阐述,最后分析了网络学习社群应用到计算机专业课程教学中的优势和挑战.     

基于网络的课程学习评价方案设计与实践

在基于网络的远程开放教育学习评价研究与实践过程中,良好的网络环境是课程学习评价的基础,学习评价方案是课程学习评价的核心,相应的管理运行机制是课程学习评价的保障。本文阐述了学习评价方案是基于网络进行学习评价的核心的指导思想,分析了可供设计者选择的学习评价任务类型,简要介绍了中央电大课程考核改革试点中部分试点课程的学习评价方案,提出了学习评价方案设计应注意的问题。     

Application of the learning cycle to a course on play

Abstract

Laboratory schools play an important role in furthering the study of child development and education. Budget cutbacks at universities have threatened the existence of many lab schools, and a growing number are expanding to full‐day programming to develop more consistent sources of funding. As lab schools evolve we must consider how they can best sustain their teaching, research, and outreach missions while managing increased service demands. This article explores one lab school's struggle with balancing academic and service missions while moving to full‐day programming and the lessons learned in the process. Implications for other expanding lab school programs are discussed.     

Interactivity and interactive functions in web-based learning systems: a technical framework for designers

The concept of interactivity and its implications for Web-based learning system design is re-examined. The author reviews the literature on the interactivity concept from the perspectives of communication, computer-assisted instruction, distance education, and interactive dimensions and functions for Web systems. A proposal is then made for a technical framework for including such dimensions and functions in Web-based learning systems. To enhance the framework's ease-of-use and overall effectiveness, each interactive function was submitted to two panels of experts for assessment and evaluation in terms of instructional necessity and programming difficulty. A discussion of the panels’ feedback and the potential for future research concludes the article.     

运用知识分类学习论,指导生物学概念教学

知识分为陈述性知识和程序性知识，概念是程序性知识，它的习得有一个基本过程，需要一定的条件。具体概念宜采用发现式学习，定义性概念宜采用接受式学习，运用该理论指导生物学概率教学。使概念教学科学化，可以大大提高概论教学的质量和效率。     

Understanding the learning of values using a domains-of-socialization framework

The narratives that emerging adults wrote about a time when they learned an important moral, value or lesson were explored in order to determine the characteristics of events that lead to internalized values as well as to compare the way different kinds of moral values are socialized. Lessons resulting from misbehavior were reported most frequently. Those involving direct teaching of values were most highly internalized, with internalization assessed by importance and current impact. Self-reflection and self-generation of values was identified as a key means to value learning and was reported more frequently than any other source of values (e.g., parents, peers). Finally, it appears that a framework for understanding socialization that involves different domains can reflect how individuals categorize their value-learning experiences.     

The effects of a web-based learning environment on student motivation in a high school earth science course

Collaborating closely with a tenth-grade science teacher, we designed a Web-Based Learning Environment (Web-LE) to improve the students’ motivation to learn science. Factors believed to enhance intrinsic motivation (challenge, control, curiosity, and fantasy) were integrated into the instructional design of the Web-based learning tool. The Web-LE was implemented in the teacher’s tenth-grade classroom as a three-day student-centered learning activity. Data collection methods included individual student interviews, teacher interviews, motivation questionnaires, and observations. This study revealed multiple forms of evidence that the Web-LE and the associated learning activity improved students’ motivation. This study illustrates the benefits of educational researchers working closely with teachers using design-based research methods to successfully solve instructional problems and identify reusable design principles. Design principles for the integration of intrinsic motivation factors into the development of similar Web-LEs are presented as well as directions for future research.     

Activity theory as a framework for designing constructivist learning environments

The epistemic assumptions of constructive learning are different from those of traditional instruction, so classical methods of needs and task analysis are inappropriate for designing constructivist learning environments (CLEs). This paper argues that activity theory provides an appropriate framework for analyzing needs, tasks, and outcomes for designing CLEs. Activity theory is a socio-cultural, socio-historical lens through which designers can analyze human activity systems. It focuses on the interaction of human activity and consciousness within its relevant environmental context. Since conscious learning emerges from activity (performance), not as a precursor to it, CLEs should attempt to replicate the activity structures, tools and sign systems, socio-cultural rules, and community expectations that performers must accommodate while acting on some object of learning. After explicating assumptions of activity theory and briefly describing the components of CLEs, this paper describes a process for using activity theory as a framework for describing the components of an activity system that can be modeled in CLEs.His current research focuses on designing constructivist learning environments, cognitive tools for learning, knowledge representation methods, problem solving, computer-supported collaborative argumentation, cognitive task analysis, and individual differences and learning.His current research focuses on designing constructivist learning environments, cognitive tools for learning, knowledge representation methods, problem solving, computer-supported collaborative argumentation, cognitive task analysis, and individual differences and learning.Her research interests include activity theory and structural knowledge.     

变易理论在建筑学专业水彩画课程中的应用

水彩画是建筑学专业重要的基础课程。传统的建筑学专业水彩画课程面临着学生美术基础薄弱、不重视美术课,课程时间紧、内容多等突出问题。变易理论是一种关于学习方法的理论,它能帮助学生提高学习水平。为了提升建筑学专业水彩课教学有效性,从变易理论视角出发研究对策,提出了强化课堂纪律、明确学习目标、培养审美兴趣、简化静物与风景写生中的造型因素、交替进行写生、临摹与默写等具体方法。     

混沌理论与新课程理念下的教学设计

混沌理论不仅是物理学、数学理论的发展，同时也是社会科学与自然科学完美结合的理论。新课程理念下的教学设计过程充满了混沌，混沌理论对现代教学设计具有重要的指导作用。应当掌握混沌理论系统及其特征．并从教学设计与蝴蝶效应、元认知学习与分形等方面明确混沌理论在现代教学设计中的应用。     

翻译网络学习中的反馈模式

反馈在学习中扮演着不可或缺的角色,在网络英语的学习中,及时的、个性化的反馈对于学习者的兴趣、态度和翻译水平都是至关重要的。教师必须通过策略型的反馈激发学习者的学习兴趣,提供符合其情感需要的有效反馈。本文针对网络英语的翻译学习课程的特点,探索了教师应如何提供有效反馈,构建网络课堂的教师反馈模式。     

Correction to: The effects of a web-based learning environment on student motivation in a high school earth science course

Educational technology research and development - This article was unintentionally published twice in this journal, by the same authors.     

The online learning environment—A new model using social constructivism and the concept of ‘Ba’ as a theoretical framework

Organisations that provide education are businesses and, as such, are not immune from the impact that the Internet has had in recent years, both on the way organisations conduct their business and as a business supporting technology. Indeed, the use of the Internet as a facilitating mechanism for educational course delivery has been growing steadily over the last 5–8 years and, although there are some significant issues that have arisen in that time in relation to the quality of learning that can be achieved, there is no doubt that it will continue to be developed as an educational tool. The real issue for educators is, therefore, not whether the Internet will be used in course delivery, or if it is a useful tool, but rather how can a teacher make best use of it to enhance learning? This article documents a study that has analysed five years of student reflections on the scaffolding mechanisms used to promote and encourage learning in five Internet-based courses at the University of Queensland run between 2001 and 2005. The courses involved include three Internet-delivered Masters coursework courses and two Internet-delivered undergraduate courses in three different discipline areas. The outcomes of the study are: (1) a Report Card documenting student evaluations of the scaffolding mechanisms used; (2) a What, Why, How, Where framework of scaffolding mechanisms that are best suited to enabling deep learning through the online environment, and (3) a proposed new model of knowledge acquisition in online learning environments entitled ESCIE, which is based on Nonaka’s SECI and Ba models of knowledge creation.     

Effects of response prompts and diagram comprehension ability on text and diagram learning in a college biology course

Embedded response prompts are an effective method to support multimedia learning. Response prompts are directives situated within instructional material. Responding to these prompts affects learners' cognitive operations. Different types of prompts affect learning differently due to variations in stimulated cognitive operations. This study compared three types of experimental response prompts; prompts to self-explain the contents of a page, prompts to attend to diagrams and text-diagram relations, and prompts to self-explanation text-diagram relations; and two control conditions. Three tasks that measure verbal text knowledge, diagram knowledge, or knowledge of text-diagram relations assessed learning. The effects of diagram comprehension ability were also considered. A 5 X 3 mixed model ANCOVA revealed an interaction between prompting conditions and posttest tasks. Diagram comprehension ability was associated with task performance but did not interact with conditions.     

Designing a college web-based course using a modified personalized system of instruction (PSI) model

Conclusion With proper planning and attention to instructional design, Web-based courses can provide a convenient and instructionally sound method of course delivery. The PSI model is a proven model that can be applied to many Webbased courses     

Enhancing language learning through creation: the effect of digital storytelling on student learning motivation and performance in a school English course

This study explored how a free-space digital storytelling approach that advocates autonomy and creativity can be implemented in a formal elementary classroom and how it impacts students’ language learning motivation and performances. Participants of the study were 64 sixth grade students in Taiwan. Following an experimental design, the data collected from three data sources, including motivation surveys, achievement test scores, and digital stories, were analyzed and triangulated. Two performance indicators of the digital storytelling, levels of language usage and levels of creativity, were found to have significant but different impacts on language learning. While the students’ language usage performance in digital storytelling was significantly related to their achievement test scores, their creativity performance were significantly related to multiple motivation components, including extrinsic motivation, task value and elaboration. It was also found that the proposed digital storytelling approach had a positive impact on students’ language performance and contributed to an increase to students’ motivation in two dimensions: extrinsic goal orientation and elaboration, rather than intrinsic goal orientation. The results suggest that the positive impact of the proposed storytelling pedagogy resides in allowing students to stretch their creativity while demonstrating their language productivity, with the leverage of a holistic assessment scheme.