What information handling skills are promoted by the use of data analysis software?

This paper describes an investigation of secondary school pupils using data analysis software in their science lessons. The aim of the project was to determine the nature and complexity of data analysis tasks that could be mastered by pupils aged between 13 and 14 years, through the use of data analysis software. The research project involved the study of three matched experimental and control pairs of classes of pupils analysing scientifically- based data. The findings show that pupils using computer-based software can perform a range of complex tasks, including the use of Boolean logical operators, 'and', 'greater than' and 'less than', which are more intellectually advanced than reported by other researchers. These results show that given appropriate information technology (IT)-based data analysis tools, pupils as young as 13--14 can perform such complex data analysis tasks as classifying data according to one or more criteria and then ranking data according to a different criterion. This contradicts some of the earlier research that concluded that such tasks could not be easily achieved by pupils of this age     

Students’ conceptions of knowledge, information, and truth

In this study, everyday conceptions of knowledge, information, and truth were investigated as 161 US undergraduates completed three online tasks that investigated understandings of these foundational constructs. For the first task, respondents graphically represented the interrelations of knowledge, information, and truth; the second task required them to justify those representations; and the third involved defining each term. Representations were compared to written justification to gauge consistency and data were analyzed to identify relational patterns, with six stable patterns emerging from the conceptions (e.g., knowledge establishment and truth establishment). A content analysis was performed to: (a) identify the specific language frequently used to define these terms, and (b) contrast definitions as a whole to conceptions that populate the psychological and related literatures. The significance of the resulting patterns is considered in light of the literature in epistemic beliefs and empirical implications and practical relevance are discussed.     

Young people's views of sex education: gender,information and knowledge

This paper derives from research that had the aim of understanding more about adolescents' views of sex education and adolescent sexuality. The data are taken from three separate pieces of research conducted in 1984, 1998 and 2003. This paper presents data about gender, information and knowledge relating to sexuality. It seeks to demonstrate that attitudes to information and knowledge vary significantly with gender. The data suggest that many adolescents we studied were offered different access to information about sex and sexuality in their families. The argument is that this has impact on the sources of information that they rely upon and prefer. We investigate the underlying issues about the ways boys obtain not only information about sex, but also their attitudes to sexual encounters. Sources of information and counselling about sexuality varied with gender. Boys and girls were exposed to different kinds of experience, in which information about sexuality and messages about desire also vary. Home and intimacy with parents, especially mothers, is important for many, although not all, girls in a way it is not for boys. This indicates a picture of boys learning about sex and sexuality in ways that by and large do not include adults, or more especially trusted adults, and where there appears to be some elements of exclusion from the family. This has important implications for sex education programmes, and may offer us insights into why the boys resist school sex education work.     

From career information to career knowledge: Self,search, and synthesis

Conclusion To say we are living in the information age is now a cliche, yet phrases often become cliches because they encapsulate a complex idea in an easily understood and remembered manner. Certainly, counselors have more information for their clients than ever before. Computer-based systems, video recorders, videodiscs, and fax machines greatly increase the power of the counselor to inform. However, the role of the counselor goes beyond informing to facilitating the growth of attitudes and behaviors associated with healthy, productive, autonomous lives. A crucial aspect of this facilitation is helping people use information so that for each individual it becomes the knowledge he or she needs in life.It is hoped that the model of self, search, and synthesis provides a way of looking at clients and information that is helpful to counselors. In the poem with which this article began, the seeker does have a fleeting moment of sight beyond the surface picture. Although it does not last, the seeker is able to conclude, perhaps triumphantly, For once, then, something.Deborah Perlmutter Bloch is Assistant Professor, Department of Education, Baruch College, City University of New York, 17 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York, 10010.     

论双语词典中文化信息的处理

语言学习与文化学习是不可分离的整体。语言学习者要掌握好第二语言,必须具备充足的文化背景知识。而作为为英语学习者提供英语文化信息主要来源的英语词典,自然也应该对如何在英语学习词典中科学的设置相关文化信息内容这个问题给予相当的关注。本文从语言、文化和词典的关系及学习者语言习得需求角度阐述双语词典设置文化信息的必要性及其可能性,在此基础上通过大量实例说明英汉词典中设置文化信息的多种途径,以便双语词典的编纂者传递文化信息。     

适应信息社会的教育变革提高教师信息知识和能力

信息技术将为各国的教育带来新的发展机遇，但也会给教育改革和教师队伍建设带来新的挑战，包括可能对青少年学生的健康成长带来负面影响，这是当今世界，包括各国教育必须面对的严峻现实，我国一定要抓住机会，适应信息社会的教育变革，提高教育信息化程度，加速教师信息知识和能力建设，为在我国逐步实现信息社会发展服务。     

Learning,Literacy and ICT: What's the Connection?

This article takes the form of a keynote address to delegates at the ‘Raising Standards through Literacy and ICT across the Curriculum at Key Stages 3 and 4 conference’, held at Middlesex University, London in July 2000. It sets out by defining the terms ‘learning’, ‘literacy’ and ‘ICT’ and then proceeds to make connections between the areas they denote. The main connections are seen to be the increased reciprocity of reading and writing, the contiguity of the verbal and visual in contemporary communication and the re‐establishment of composition at the heart of the literacy curriculum. Central to all of these is the importance of transformation in learning, not only in theory but also in the day‐to‐day practices of classrooms. Recent research into ICT and literacy is reviewed, practical possibilities for cross‐curricular collaboration are offered, and implications for the future are considered.     

Pedagogy,information and communications technology and teachers' professional knowledge

In this article UK governmental policy imperatives to apply new forms of information and communications technology (ICT) to school improvement are explored, with particular reference to the National Curriculum for England and Wales. The analysis juxtaposes the piecemeal, random way in which ICT is used in National Curriculum programmes of study and schemes of work with the government rhetoric that requires coherent planning and integration of ICT within all aspects of teaching learning. The article argues that this contradiction within the policy process could be overcome if a stronger conceptualization of teachers' professional knowledge was embraced. An example of such a conceptualization is presented and this is exemplified by accounts of teachers' development of ICT within their pedagogic practice.     

Science teachers' conceptions of teaching and learning,ICT efficacy,ICT professional development and ICT practices enacted in their classrooms

This study assessed several precursors that might be connected to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) practices enacted in classrooms, namely, science teachers' conception of traditional versus constructivist teaching and learning, their sense of efficacy, ICT efficacy, and ICT professional development. Data were gathered from 303 science teachers. According to the results, constructivist conceptions exerted moderate effects on the teachers' sense of efficacy constructs, which in turn increased their ICT efficacy. Additional results pointed to the positive mediation role of teachers' ICT professional development in linking their ICT efficacy to ICT use for constructivist activities in their science classroom.     

共享的幻象——信息社会中关于教育知识的建构

教育资源实现的共享,比起以往法定知识中的选择,其所参与的人群、所牵涉的力 量、所遵循的逻辑更为复杂,它拓展了“选择”的问题域,使得知识的建构过程从自上而下的权力 控制,拓展向自上而下的动员与自下而上的主动参与相结合的知识生产方式,原有的城乡二分的 分析模式拓展向贫富二分的分析模式。     

Information Communication Technology (ICT) integration in a science education unit for preservice science teachers; students' perceptions of their ICT skills, knowledge and pedagogy

There is an expectation that new science teachers will be able to effectively use a range of information communication technology (ICT) related resources inthe science classroom in order to enhance student learning. All school systems in Australia are in the process of providing teachers with ICT professional development and infrastructure. This paper outlines a range of initiatives designed to integrate ICT in a compulsory science education unit for students enrolled in a Graduate Diploma in Secondary Education. An action research model based on constructivist principles was used to evaluate the effectiveness of modelling, open-ended co-operative group activities and authentic assessment in enabling students to enhance their ICT skills, knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge in a science education context. Multiple sources of data were generated including a pre and post unit questionnaire that was analysed using Rasch modelling. The questionnaire determined students' perceptions of their preparedness to teach using ICT. The findings of this research suggest that some skills warranted greater attention in the unit, but students' pedagogical knowledge and knowledge and critique of ICT resources were enhanced over the duration of the unit.     

Leveraging information and communication technologies (ICT) to enhance education equity,quality, and efficiency: case studies of Bangladesh and Nepal

ABSTRACT

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have had significant impacts on many sectors in today’s knowledge economy. In developing and emerging countries, ICT have enhanced equity, quality, and efficiency in the education sector. However, the adoption of ICT in the South Asian countries’ education sector has not been at scale and its impacts have been limited. There are several gaps and issues that are hindering the wider adoption of ICT and limiting its impacts in the education sector. Through the case studies of the adoption of ICT for education in Bangladesh and Nepal, this paper examines the gaps and issues to be addressed in order to better leverage ICT to enhance education equity, quality, and efficiency. This discussion is guided by the ICT in the education framework that has been developed by the authors, and could provide insights into the state of ICT in education and offer strategies to better leverage ICT for the education sector of other countries in South Asia and the region.