Cross-cultural adaptation of Chinese students in the Netherlands

This study investigates the influence of demographic and academic variables, intercultural communication self-efficacy, and multicultural personality dimensions on cross-cultural adaptation of Chinese students （N=168） who have stayed for a couple of months in the Netherlands. The results indicate that different personality dimensions have more or less predictive power depending on the aspects of cross-cultural adaptation. Specifically, emotional stability appears to be a positive predictor for academic performance, psychological well-being, and a negative predictor for experienced difficulties, whereas cultural empathy, open-mindedness and social initiative are more important predictors for indicators of social adjustment, such as having friends and receiving social support. Intercultural communication self-efficacy is related to higher academic performance, fewer experienced difficulties, and more satisfaction with life. In addition, a remarkable finding is that women do better than men do on academic performance, receive more social support and are more satisfied with their lives.     

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.     

Gaps in management education： A case study of University of Management and Technology

This paper aims to identify the gaps in management education highlighted by 3 primary stakeholders： students, faculty and alumni. The study tries to address the issue of relevance and compatibility of management education and investigates areas of improvement perceived by respondents. The paper assumes that business departments of universities have to bring changes in learning strategies to meet the requirements of stakeholders. This research takes UMT （University of Management and Technology） as a case study and presents gaps in management education. Data are collected from all the 3 stakeholders： students, faculty and alumni of MBA （Master in Business Administration） program offered at UMT. The survey is administered using an exclusively-designed research instrument and the data set of 211 students, 55 faculty members and 145 alumni is analysed using appropriate statistical techniques. The management of business schools should develop an integrated and well-coordinated mechanism to share common vision and strategies among stakeholders. A need to revise current MBA curriculum is identified, which emphasizes on the development of different types of skills among MBAs to make the program compatible with the existing corporate sector. The universities dealing in management education are recommended to redesign their curriculum in a more integrated and coordinated way in anticipation with aspiration of the existing corporate sector, which would then help reduce the identified gaps among stakeholders. The management of business schools should have a continuous assessment mechanism incorporating the feed back of all stakeholders, particularly students, faculty and alumni. The paper makes a fruitful contribution to the existing academic literature through an empirical investigation in Pakistani environment. A critical discussion is carried out, and gaps in management education are highlighted, which may motivate management institutions to revise their curriculums.     

The Study of Adolescents Worries and Wishes in the North of Fars ProvinceThe Study of Adolescents Worries and Wishes in the North of Fars Province

The worries ＆ wishes of 14 -19 years-old adolescents of Abadeh, Bavanat ＆ Khorambid cities in the north of Fats province are investigated in this research. The wishes ＆ worries are measured by wishes measurement scale （WMS） and Ahwaz worry inventory （AWI） respectively. The Ss consisted of 300 Adolescents （150 girls ＆ 150 Boys） that selected by ratio sampling method. The most important results of project are as following ：（1） there are significant positive correlations between wishes ＆ worries. （2） Girls in comparison with boys have been significantly higher on emotional-psychological and moral-philosophical wishes. Further more, they haven＇t been different on somatic- physical ＆ social - familial wishes. （3） In self -esteem, vocational, other relations, insecurity, detail problems worries and AWI, girls have been significantly worrier than boys. While in cognitive ＆ future worry factors their situation have not been different. （4）. According to the influence of gender on adolescents, worries and wishes for prompting of their mental health should be used in different ways.     

Why deaf pupils have reduced graduation rates from compulsory education in Greece？ An investigation of factors related to their low attainment

The current article deals with the issue of increased dropouts of deaf pupils from compulsory education （primary and junior high school） and tries to map out plausible reasons according to what principals and teachers for the deaf say, which might account for these reduced graduation rates for deaf pupils from primary dropouts. Official statistics are employed to demonstrate and junior high school. This data is collected through annual census surveys targeting all primary and secondary schools for the deaf, conducted by the National Statistical Service of Greece （NSSG）. Then, this paper tries to explore some of the possible reasons, which could be at the root of these increased dropout rates from primary and lower secondary schools, according to the accounts of principals and teachers for the deaf, who serve in schools for the deaf. Two types of questionnaire were employed, addressed to principals and teachers for the deaf, serving in schools for the deaf, one on one, and telephone interviews, with these two categories of respondent. Low graduation rates are associated with several factors, including inadequate coverage for schools for the deaf, the fact that Gymnasia do not operate everywhere there are primary schools for the deaf and the fact that often deaf pupils have to enrol in schools for the deaf only after suffering considerable delay can be partly attributed to the relative shortage of schools for the deaf. Other limitations include the inadequate use of hearing aids by pupils, associated with inadequate screening and assessment procedures; a lack of kindergartens and preschools for the deaf; and the relative shortage of speech therapists in schools for the deaf. In addition, teachers criticized the fact that the ＂whole-day＂ school initiative, which allows pupils to remain in school until 4 p.m. and have assistance with their homework, does not operate in the majority of schools for the deaf. In addition, the need to create books and teaching materials more tailored to deaf pupils＇ needs was mentioned, as well as inadequate or lack of teacher training in deaf pedagogy and Greek Sign Language. Findings are discussed in accordance with the international bibliography on this issue.     

Teaching statistics in labor,social, juridical or economic studies

Statistics teaching should not be carried out in the same way for all kinds of university students. Instead, teaching statistics should take into account the different fields of study that students have chosen. For example, students of sciences or engineering have different interests and backgrounds compared to students of any social or juridical field. The authors address this latter group of students （social, juridical, labor or even economics）. The authors propose a direct approach： beginning with a real situation or supposition with real data. Questions of interest are explored and put into the language of statistics. To answer the questions, the necessary statistical methods are used. If needed, these methods are presented and explained at that time. Finally, the authors return to the beginning, to give an interpretation of the results. The approach takes into account the students＇ levels and the kind of studies or professional orientation of these students.     

English Language Assistance Needs of Chinese Students

It is known that the IELTS test has not been a good predictor of English capability in academic settings. More information is required. Are students not motivated to keep improving their English; what obstacles do they face? The English language issues facing international students from China at one University are explored through a survey and focus groups. It is observed that a lack of motivation is not the key factor. Rather one core problem is the very difficult demands of acculturation within a short time frame which would enable confidence for the students to continue to engage with other English speaking students. When faced with such immediate and hard to achieve acculturation, many retreat to their language groups. In the academic context, support for the transition to discipline based academic genres is double difficult as the time frame for second language learners is longer, but performance requirements are more immediate. Many first language students also have difficulties in this area, but have the easier language path to mastery. The study draws usefully on a comparison made with students studying English in China.     

Consideration on Vocational Students’ Participation in Class:With Special Reference to Task-based Approach and Traditional Method

This paper covers an experimental study on vocational students’ participation in the class under task-based approach and traditional grammar-translation teaching method.As vocational colleges in China have developed rapidly,teachers are still exploring and experimenting with different teaching approaches in order to find the suitable one(s).Using the theory of task-based approach,the grammartranslation method,the author conducts an experiment by recording.The following key issue has been addressed and some conclusive results have been made.The paper intends to find an answer to the following question:Under which teaching approach can students participate in the class more actively? Based on the above research work,the following result has been reached:Task-based approach can promote students’ mastering of vocabulary and grammar,and students participate in the class more actively.The author would like to share her experiences with others in pedagogical studies of teaching vocational college students English.     

Hands on group work paper model for teaching DNA structure,central dogma and recombinant DNA

Understanding life on a molecular level is greatly enhanced when students are given the opportunity to visualize the molecules. Especially understanding DNA structure and function is essential for understanding key concepts of molecular biology such as DNA, central dogma and the manipulation of DNA. Researches have shown that undergraduate students typically lack a coherent view of concepts and their relationships when studying molecular biology within instruction-based lecture with no other pedagogical applications. In this study, we have designed an experimental to investigate the effect of a hands on paper models exercise within group work （Jigsaw Cooperative learning） on student biology teachers＇ academic achievement and attitudes to biotechnologies. Our goal was to develop a manipulative activity using inexpensive but graphic materials. The sample for this study consisted of 42 student teachers in the department of Biology Education during the 2005-2006 academic year. We have divided the students in two different classes. One of the classes was randomly assigned as the non-paper model （control, n=21） and the other as the paper model group （n=21）. In experimental group cut and paste paper models exercise within cooperative groups, in control group traditional instructional design has been applied in teaching DNA structure, Central Dogma and Recombinant DNA. The posttests of the groups in achievement and attitudes to biotechnologies show significant differences. The results indicated that the paper model group was more successful than the non-paper group.     

What will users expect from virtual learning methods？ A conceptual model to analyze future leaning method enhancements

ICT （information and communication technologies） add enormous approaches to utilize computing into users＇ daily lives. Every aspect of social needs has been touched by ICT, including learning. VL （virtual learning）, with the life span of slightly above a decade, still looks for possible approaches to enhance its functions with significant pressure from related disciplines for continual improvements. Very recently, with the introduction of Web 2.0, Semantic Web, and 3D （3-Dimensional） Virtual Environments, users have expanded their horizons of expectations. Along with this technology advancement, there has been a noticeable social and demographic transformation from recent years. Sociologists refer these as new generations of the human kind with high intellect, multitasking nature and high awareness of their environments. At present, they are getting into the education stream with high eager for creativity, flexibility and entertainment. Most of the present students in primary and secondary levels in schools show such characteristics and advance their expectations frequently. On the other hand, VL still has not accommodated new social networking and entertainment approaches as it confines to limitations from traditional learning pedagogies and administrative rules. So far, the only successful step it could take forward is the blended learning, which is now fading its novelty. The simple yet foremost essential question is, how far could people retain the students willingly with present VL methods？ Alternatively, will it become another unimpressive rigid approach of learning to the future generations？ This paper discusses possible approaches to evolve VL methods and models to make the future learning enjoyable yet comprehensive task. The paper tries to analyze briefly the different parameters significant to VL in a holistic manner, while providing an abstract model to analyze learning activities.     

A study on motivational factors of students in German Language Teaching Department at Trakya University

There are many definitions, views and theories for motivation. This study aims to state expressly what type of motivation factors according to the students＇ grades affects the students of German Language Teaching Departments （Turkey） negatively or positively. How the external and internal factors affect the students of German Language Teaching Departments in terms of motivation will be determined in this study. A questionnaire has been given to the students （freshman, sophomore, junior and senior classes） of Trakya University German Language Teaching Departments （2008） to collect data for showing the motivation profile of these students. The questionnaire has been transferred to SPSS program except quantitative analysis. The frequency and the percentage distributions of the data have been calculated with the aim of determining the students＇ views. In conclusion, it is possible to state that German Language Teaching Department students have been affected by the positive and negative motivation factors and the achievements and failures of these students could vary depending on the different reasons. On the other hand, the students of German Language Teaching Department have attributed important roles to the lecturers. Many features of the lecturers have affected the students＇ motivation positively.     

Interdisciplinary education in comprehensive school： Can a deep understanding occur？

The authors investigate how disciplines at school. Interdisciplinarity can be addressing a topic that is too broad to be understanding of the topic, the process going an integrative approach can be applied to teaching of different defined as a process of answering a question, solving a problem or dealt with by a single discipline. In addition to an integrated on inside the learner interests the authors. Unsuspected abilities, development of new views of the world and new commitment may emerge. Constructivism and narration, together with the socio-cultural theory of learning, form the background of the teaching and learning processes. The curriculum will integrate between subjects and recommends work in small groups to develop students＇ social capacities. The collaborative problem-solving approach, while including telling and re-telling features, allows students of natural sciences to hypothesize and test hypotheses using scientific methods. The target audience of this paper is class teachers and subject teachers in comprehensive schools （Grades 1-9）. The research questions are： Do students that undergo integrative education work think and problem-solve in different ways compared to when partaking in standard instruction？ Can they develop a deep understanding of the topic they are studying？ The authors plan to present story re-telling and visualization activities in groups concerning one theme： eggs. The topic covers arts, foreign languages, mathematics and science. Such an approach strengthens students＇ understanding of the disciplines themselves. It is hoped that this work can be useful for teachers that are interested in giving their students a more holistic view of their life world.     

Questioning to the Feasibility of Offering English Courses in the Primary Schools in China

After entering 21 st century,our country has started an incomparable huge English teaching revolution. English has been taught in more and more universities,colleges,high schools,and even primary schools since the early 1990 s. After the decision,which made by China` s Ministry of Education,of offering English courses from Grade 3 in primary schools nationwide in China from county-level in the fall of 2001 was carried out step by step,the starting age of foreign language learning for children have been discussed in China. Many experts and scholars in foreign language teaching and research fields paid close attention to it and held different opinions about offering English courses in primary schools. This study aims to do some research in theory to query the feasibility of offering English courses to the primary school students in China. The mainly underlying theoretical framework in this thesis is the critical period hypothesis discussed by Rod Ellis in Understanding Second Language Acquisition. By referring to his argument about age,the thesis seeks other two theories to support the idea that it is inappropriate to offer English courses in primary schools.     

＂I don＇t see color,I only see children!＂： A study of teachers＇ color-blindness for Asian students/family

The purpose of this study is to explore USA educators＇ resistance toward cultural awareness for Korean students and families in the New York metropolitan area. The authors aim to challenge teachers＇ color-blindness that is widely spread among USA educators. Guided by critical race theory, the authors show that the perceived fairness of color-blindness could cause struggles for Korean parents and students in American schools. The authors posit USA teachers need to thoroughly understand that if a teacher does not see color, then s/he does not really see children. This study, hopefully, will help educators recognize the necessity of understanding diverse ethnic parents＇ perspectives and needs. Also, this study will provide an opportunity for educators to rethink assumptions that are embedded in color-blindness, and advance muiticultural education that is more culturally relevant and responsive for different ethnic/racial groups＇ needs.     

Successful Educational Leadership at High Performing Schools

Successful educational leadership is not a random phenomenon, but an executed success which leaves cities whereby one can discover them. These clues lead to a desired destination--higher student achievement. Essential, non-negotiable elements have been identified. That is, each element has been systemically embedded at schools that have turned from low performing to high performing schools. These six elements/clues have been identified through decades of research and the author＇s leadership experience as superintendent in both urban and suburban districts. This paper names the actions of successful educational leaders, namely, the site principal, that results in increased student learning and achievement and that can be sustained overtime. These critical elements bring about increased numbers of students who are academically proficient and advanced as defined by the federal NCLB （No Child Left Behind） Act of 2001. Successful educational leaders understand the challenges of change, and they communicate a sense of urgency balanced with patience, persistence and optimism. There are no secrets to successful leadership, and success truly does leave clues. We know what must be done, and we can do the hard work to ensure that every child is successful. Let us share our clues and applaud our successes measured through the lens of students＇ academic achievement.     

On the Application of Classified English Teaching in Vocational School

Over the past years,with the increasing enrollment of high school,vocational schools are facing great challenge for their existence and development,concerning the low proficiency of the students and great gap among them.The traditional English teaching mode which employs the same teaching contents,same teaching methods and teaching aims cannot satisfy students with different English levels.Therefore,in order to change the present situation,this paper proposes a new English teaching mode:classified English teaching.In the new mode,different students will be taught by different materials,different methods and with different aims.It can stimulate students’enthusiasm in English learning,and make every student develop appropriately.     

Relationship Between Teacher Factors and Student Achievement： A Correlational Study of Secondary Schools

Teachers always played a significant role in the intellectual and moral development of students by using various techniques, assessments, and methods to improve student achievement in school＇s subjects. This study therefore focuses on the effect of teacher factors, such as assessment interval, communication language, the distance of residence, and the teacher＇s personal characteristics （gender, age, academic and professional qualification, designation, experience, and in-service training） on the 9th grade students＇ achievement in three subjects （English, Chemistry, and Mathematics at secondary level）. The population of the study is comprised of all ＂public sector＂ secondary schools, male and female teachers, and boy and girl students. A total number of 16 secondary schools （eight for boys and eight for girls）, 114 secondary school teachers （66 males and 48 females）, and 2,404 students （1,400 boys and 1,004 girls） were selected through purposive sampling techniques. Multiple statistical procedures, Spearman and Pearson correlation, mean, and standard deviation were employed to obtain stronger validity to the study. The results of the study identify weak and negative weak relationship between most of the teacher factors and student achievement in three subjects but the relationship between students＇ background and learning achievement in all three subjects were found positively correlated.     

Moral Education and Improvement of Coexistence in Secondary Education （12-16 Years） in Spain

Coexistence and moral education are areas of great interest in Spanish compulsory education, especially in the period that comprises between 12 and 16 years of age, named ＂compulsory secondary education＂ in Spain. With the aim to improve the processes of coexistence within this level, this research team on education from the University of Salamanca has conducted an experimental study, implementing a programme to provide moral education through ICTs （information and communication technologies）. So as to verify the positive influence of the programme, a series of means have been applied with consideration for two groups--control and experimental--and certain stages of pre- and post- test assessment. The first results denote that there has been an improvement in social-personal values in the students that were involved more actively in the programme.