Facilitating learning in large lecture classes: testing the "teaching team" approach to peer learning

We tested the effect of voluntary peer-facilitated study groups on student learning in large introductory biology lecture classes. The peer facilitators (preceptors) were trained as part of a Teaching Team (faculty, graduate assistants, and preceptors) by faculty and Learning Center staff. Each preceptor offered one weekly study group to all students in the class. All individual study groups were similar in that they applied active-learning strategies to the class material, but they differed in the actual topics or questions discussed, which were chosen by the individual study groups. Study group participation was correlated with reduced failing grades and course dropout rates in both semesters, and participants scored better on the final exam and earned higher course grades than nonparticipants. In the spring semester the higher scores were clearly due to a significant study group effect beyond ability (grade point average). In contrast, the fall study groups had a small but nonsignificant effect after accounting for student ability. We discuss the differences between the two semesters and offer suggestions on how to implement teaching teams to optimize learning outcomes, including student feedback on study groups.     

Facilitating knowledge construction in mobile learning contexts: A bi-directional peer-assessment approach

With the advancements in technology networks, mobile learning has been extensively applied in teaching contexts, enabling closer interaction between students and authentic environments. Previous studies have indicated that, when learning in real-world contexts, students need to interact with real learning targets and peers as well as the digital learning content; thus, effective learning strategies or tools are generally required for helping them organize knowledge and for promoting peer interactions. As a result, the present study developed a bi-directional peer-assessment-based concept mapping system, which not only engages students in assessing peers’ concept maps, but also encourages them to evaluate or respond to peers’ ratings and comments. To explore the effectiveness of this learning system, the study conducted an experiment in elementary science classes. A total of 101 fifth graders from four classes were recruited to participate in the study. Two classes were assigned to the experimental group and two to the control group. The experimental group adopted the bi-directional peer-assessment approach, while the control group adopted the conventional peer assessment approach for concept mapping. The results reveal that the bi-directional peer-assessment-based concept mapping system can not only increase students’ learning achievement and the completeness of their concept mapping, but can also enhance their critical thinking tendency and the feedback quality of their peer assessment.     

Everyday teaching and outdoor learning: developing an integrated approach to support school-based provision

In the UK, teachers are increasingly being encouraged to support and undertake outdoor learning. Despite such support there is a paucity of research that has considered how outdoor learning can be implemented and offered on a regular basis by teachers. The lack of empirical research that has centralised the role of the teacher is at odds with the interest in this topic and the need for theory-driven guidance suited to teachers. Research is reported that aimed to support the provision of outdoor learning opportunities for children aged between three and eleven at nine settings (pre- or primary schools) in Scotland and England. A set of flexible guidelines that link theory and practice were used by 14 teachers. This article focuses on teachers’ reports of their activity. The incorporation of outdoor learning within conventional teaching and learning approaches is found to be feasible and the implications for practice and future research are explored.     

Chafing borderlands: obstacles for science teaching and learning in preschool teacher education

Cultural Studies of Science Education - This study examines preservice preschool teachers’ university science education experience. The empirical data are from a research and intervention...     

A sociocultural approach to learning orientation in an early childhood setting

This paper considers ways in which a model of motivational processes that describes children as internalizing learning or performance goals can incorporate situated and sociocultural features without losing its explanatory power. It analyzes the relationship between dispositional and situational factors within a pattern of interwoven socioculturally derived social identities or intents. Data come from an interpretive case study of 4-year-olds working on everyday technology in a kindergarten. The analysis of five main activities suggests that learning orientations - learning and performance goals- were being attached to social identity. Four processes illustrate the complex and shifting system of socially situated learning orientation: appropriation and display; shifts from one intent to another; niche fitting and forming; and mergers and invasions.     

Leveraging competency framework to improve teaching and learning: A methodological approach

A number of engineering education programs have defined learning outcomes and course-level competencies, and conducted assessments at the program level to determine areas for continuous improvement. However, many of these programs have not implemented a comprehensive competency framework to support the actual delivery and assessment of an individual course. This paper highlights how a competency framework can be used across the life cycle of a course to effectively deliver and assess course content, and give valuable, timely feedback to students thus, improving teaching, student motivation and learning. A framework for leveraging course competencies during course design and delivery is presented, and addresses the following five phases of a course, namely, content design, assessment design, content delivery and assessment, assessment results analysis and feedback, and content review. Using a large first-year core course of the BSc (Information Systems Management) program, at School of Information Systems, Singapore Management University, Singapore—called Information Systems Software Foundation (ISSF)—as an example, this paper shows how course competencies support the framework’s five phases. Data from a student survey indicates that the framework has contributed to enhancing their motivation to learn, provides enhanced learning experiences in terms of helping students prepare for each assessment, providing better feedback by raising awareness of what they know and do not know, and revisiting topics that relate to competencies that have not been fully acquired. Results from interviewing instructors revealed that the competency framework provides valuable and timely feedback on how students are performing, and additionally what changes are required to both the content and method of delivery in order to improve teaching. This contributes towards more effectively closing the “teaching and learning loop”.     

全语言教学在幼儿英语教学中的应用

全语言教学也称为整体语言教学,注重学习的整体性和自然性,对儿童第二语言或外语教学具有启示和指导作用。本文基于全语言教学的概念和原则,探讨了全语言教学在幼儿英语中的实践。     

切实有效地实施写作过程教学法--英语写作教学模式新探

章在分析写作过程教学法特点的基础上，拟定了一套新的大学英语写作教学模式，并通过教学实践证明了这一模式的有效性。作认为，新模式符合社会建构主义教育理念，是过程教学法的具体体现，值得推介和尝试。     

A constructivist approach to change in elementary science teaching and learning

Constructivism is a set of beliefs that can be used by teachers to think about learning and teaching and to plan and enact a science curriculum. This paper is a fictional account of an elementary science teacher and her use of constructivism as a referent for her various roles as a science teacher. The paper also describes how the teacher came to teach in this manner, describing her involvement in staff development activities and an evolution in her thinking from an ojectivist to a constructivist system of semantics. Implications are presented for the reform of science education.     

理实一体化教学模式下教学过程的优化与设计

理实一体化(即理论实践一体化)教学模式是目前高等职业教育教学探索创新的成果。文章从提高教育教学质量的角度,对理实一体化教学模式的内涵、意义及理实一体化教学模式下教学过程的优化与设计进行了深入阐述,提出了一些关于教学过程优化与设计的新思想与具体做法。     

Blended teaching and learning: a two-way systems approach

A first-year tertiary-student structural equation modelling approach builds understanding of blended learning. The Biggs' 3P teaching-and-learning-systems model displays significant two-way interactions between each of its presage, process and product constructs. This study validates the Biggs' approach as a dynamic interactive learning system. The student learning processes occur through teacher contributions, mixed with learning interactions and feedback systems. Greater learning, knowledge and skills transfer is possible when students are suitably pre-prepared/pre-skilled for their ensuing learning experiences and for the varieties of teaching/learning interactions that they encounter.     

大学本科教学过程完整性与研究性学习

研究性学习既是大学本科教学过程中的学习方式,又是学习发展环节,它与接受性学习环节一起构成大学本科教学过程完整性的两个基本要素。完整的教学过程,应促进人的潜能的充分开发,体现出不断发展、否定之否定的辩证发展逻辑,体现出主体性的不断生成与发展,体现出主体对知识的认识,体现出从教到不需要教的自身超越性。     

Enhancing the scholarship of teaching and learning: an organic approach

The aim of this paper is to report on an experiment in the School of Management at the University of Surrey whereby the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning is being promoted through an approach which is organic in nature. The paper argues that the nature of such scholarship means that its promotion is more likely to be successful when the approach taken is bottom-up and emergent as this is more likely to foster commitment and trust. In defining this approach, the paper draws on a diverse range of literature which is synthesised into a general concept of how such organic approaches may work. The paper concludes by suggesting that developing a Scholarship of Teaching and Learning requires the collective effort of all stakeholders involved.     

二胡演奏综合教学法论析

二胡,是中国民族乐器宝库中非常有代表性的一件弓弦类乐器,二胡音乐的发展是我国劳动人民的结晶。其独特的音韵和音色,是其他任何乐器所无法取代的。本文试图从宋国生先生总结的二胡综合教学法的基本内涵、特征及成果三个方面来做简明扼要的论析,以便透过现象看本质,对二胡的综合教学法有个基本的了解,吸取其精华,以便提高二胡演奏和教学的质量。     

Liberal arts student learning outcomes: An integrated approach

Researchers completing a study of liberal arts education sought to identify learning outcomes associated with both wisdom and citizenship. They have synthesized these themes into seven outcomes that facilitate effective student learning and development.     

阶梯式教学在学前教育专业钢琴教学中的应用

本文针对学前教育专业钢琴教学中存在的学生入学钢琴基础参差不齐的前提下,对所有学生进行共同授课的大课形式,导致学生千篇一律的学习内容,学生学习缺乏积极性的教学实际,在分析我国各高校学前教育专业钢琴课程设置的基础上,本文阐述阶梯式分组教学的观点,结合学前教育专业钢琴课程的实际,在经过本校两年的学前教育专业钢琴课程教学改革实验中取得了可喜的成果。     

On the teaching and evaluation of experiential learning in a conventional university setting

The notion of experiential learning emphasizes the personal experience of the learner. In this article, I describe my approach to making learning a more personal experience for students on a conventional university course. I focus on modeling of behaviour and attitudes by the teacher, clear communication, attention to process, and collaboration in learning. Evaluation can be formative (to facilitate learning) or summative (for assessment). I describe a number of methods which I have used in the formative evaluation of experiential learning. In general, I try to maximize feedback to all participants (including myself) having first created an atmosphere where defences can be lowered and the feedback heard. Finally, I consider summative evaluation, which presents considerable, but not insuperable, difficulties.     

Service as collaboration: an integrated process in teaching and research. A response to Greenbank

ABSTRACT

A key policy issue in mass HE systems is whether academics need training and support in their teaching roles. A symposium of five contributors to this journal was largely negative and featured the views that this would prioritise skills at the expense of disciplinary knowledge and threaten academic freedom. The contrary view is presented that teaching can be improved by such courses but that the argument as to whether this is the case should be based on research evidence and by listening to a variety of perspectives.     

"一体化教学案"的编写探究

提出编写体现新课标的理念"一体化教学案",应从"教学案"内容构建入手,突出"一体化"特征,精心设计教学过程和教学案栏目,注重学习情境创设,建构自主探究情境.