Using student perceptions to compare actual and preferred classroom environment in Queensland schools

Students’ perceptions of actual and preferred classroom environment were investigated using the What is happening in this class? questionnaire (WIHIC). The WIHIC assesses seven classroom environment dimensions: student cohesiveness, teacher support, involvement, task orientation, investigation, cooperation and equity. A sample of 978 secondary school students from 63 classes in Queensland responded to the WIHIC. For each item on the WIHIC, students recorded their perceptions of the actual (or real) and preferred (or ideal) classroom environment. Results revealed that statistically significant differences between actual and preferred environments, and that the gap between actual and preferred environment was smaller for more positive classroom environments.     

Using structural equation models with latent variables to study student growth and development

Calls for accountability, coupled with a desire to improve teaching and learning, have prompted many colleges and universities to consider ways of assessing the effects of postsecondary education on student growth and development. Despite widespread support for the concept of assessing student change, relatively few institutions have implemented this type of assessment, in part because of a concern about the best method of measuring change. This article describes the use of structural equation models with latent variables to assess the effects of education on change. Advantages of using structural equation models with latent variables include error-free measurement of change, direct tests of the assumptions underlying change research, along with the power and flexibility of maximum likelihood estimation. An analysis of data on freshman-to-senior gains provides evidence of the advantages of latent variable structural equation modeling and also suggests that the group differences identified by traditional analysis of variance and covariance techniques may be an artifact of measurement error.     

重基础 提能力

《高考考试说明》要求"以能力测试为主导,考查考生对所学相关课程基础知识,基本技能的掌握程度和综合运用所学知识分析解决实际问题的能力"。对     

The susceptibility of student evaluation of lecturers to situational variables

To investigate the effect of a number of situational factors on student evaluations of lecturers, a teacher rating form (TRF) was administered to 326 first-year students taking an Introduction to Economics course. A comparison was made of the responses of the following subgroups among the students: full-time versus part-time students; students asked to sign their responses versus those whose responses were left anonymous; students told that their responses were just for feedback to the lecturer versus those told that their responses would be used for promotion, tenure, and salary decisions about the lecturer; students told that the TRFs were sponsored by the student association versus those told that the TRFs were sponsored by the staff association. The factors of sponsor identity (staff or student association) and use of ratings (feedback or decisional) had significant effects on TRF scores; but the effects of the factors of anonymity and full- versus part-time were insignificant. These results are taken as suggestive evidence that conditions of administration can modify student responses to TRFs and that they should be as uniform as possible if TRFs are to be used to compare lecturers.     

如何培养学生知物明理能力

当前,物理教学的弊病是在知识的形成过程中定性少、定量多,实物少、抽象多,淡化了知识的形成过程．一些学生常靠死记硬背来学习知识,用题海战术来消化和掌握知识,显然,这是一种舍本追末,得不偿失的教学方法．物理教学的关键是要培养学生“知物明理”的能力．那么,如何做到这一点呢?笔者就此谈谈自己的看法。     

Using a computer simulation to compare expert/novice problem-solving subroutines

Hierarchical problem-solving strategies employed in solving exercise science problems were examined in this study, which also tested the validity of an educational computer simulation. Hypothesis testing was used as the theoretical base for the study of differences in problem-solving within the computer simulation. In a previous study two groups of undergraduate (novices) and graduate students were compared in their ability to solve exercise science problems. The present study added a group of faculty (experts) who were presented with the same simulation protocol as the other subjects. Protocol analysis and the Pitt coding system were used to analyse verbal data. Group differences were examined statistically. The faculty were superior in interpreting data and used the Basic Heuristic and Pattern Extraction strategies for the generation and use of algorithms. The problem-solving strategies varied for each group based on the perceived difficulty of the problem, the knowledge base available, and the similarity of the given problem to previous problems.     

Assessing problem solving in mathematics: Some variables related to student performance

A mathematical problem is defined here as a question not dependent on specific syllabus content, and one sufficiently new to the student such that it cannot be solved by a previously known method. With increased attention being paid to this type of mathematical problem solving at the primary school level, the need for reliable and valid methods of assessment has become more apparent. This paper reports the results of using a new problem solving test, developed for use in the upper primary school, with 371 students in Years 4,5 and 6 at government schools in Melbourne. Particular attention is given to the effects of year level, sex and the method of test administration on student performance for different types of items and different problem solving processes. The performance of Year 4 students was generally lower than that of other students, but differences were small for most items and processes between Years 5 and 6. Although most of the differences in performance between the sexes were not significant, the girls had higher scores than the boys for the total score, for all processes and for all items except the spatial item. The method of administration was important for performance, especially for the girls. The marking schedule developed enabled high intra- and inter-marker reliabilities to be obtained.     

生态学视野下的学生评价

学生评价对学生的全面发展具有重要作用,但现在的学生评价已无法满足社会发展与学生个体发展的需要。生态学开辟出一个全新的研究视角,它的整体性和系统性等思想对于现行学生评价体系与现实情况的分裂以及学生评价制度内在的联系性等问题的反思具有重要价值。文章尝试对现行的学生评价制度进行生态性的思考并提出相应的建议。     

Mental models of attachment as a part of kindergarten student teachers' practical knowledge about caregiving

The present study investigated beginning kindergarten student teachers' mental models of attachment as a part of their practical knowledge about caregiving. Mental models of attachment (i.e. how students construct their own attachment-related childhood experiences and relationships from their current perspective) were assessed with an Adult Attachment Interview. The participants were 82 female first-year students in the University of Helsinki. Forty-four per cent of the students were classified as dismissive of attachment, 43% as secure/autonomous, and 13% as preoccupied. The study also investigated student teachers' motives for entering kindergarten teacher education, and the possible relationship between students' mental models of attachment and their motives for entering the field. Participants' attachment status was significantly associated with their career preference, and the expression and complexity of their motives. Students with a secure/autonomous mental model of attachment were the most certain students concerning career choice, and they were the most likely to express both child-centred and self-centred motives for entering the education.     

主成分分析方法在学生成绩分析中的应用

运用主成分分析方法对数学与应用数学专业42名学生的部分专业必修课和公共必修课成绩进行分析,旨在对该专业42名学生学习情况进行了解、比较、评定,以便客观和正确的评价每一位学生,为教学研究和综合量化管理提供科学的依据.     

Using feedback to promote student participation in online learning programs: evidence from a quasi-experimental study

Educational technology research and development - How should learner analytics and different media be used to optimize feedback to increase students’ motivation and sense of learning...     

Using student feedback about the learning environment as a starting point for co-construction

Learning Environments Research - The context in which learning takes place, or learning environment, is pivotal to a positive learning experience for students. Although numerous studies have...     

Using continuous assessment to promote student engagement in a large class

The authors have developed a first-year fluids course for a class of around 230 aerospace, civil and mechanical engineering students. This paper aims to show how the teaching and assessment methodology was applied to the challenge of a large class. The lectures featured formal teaching interspersed with active learning elements. Smaller group (about 25–30 students) tutorial classes involved student practice. A 10-minute test occurred in each tutorial during weeks 3–11. Each test was based on the previous week's lecture material and the marks contributed towards 20% of the course mark. A condition for passing the course was that a student must pass at least six of the nine tests. The assessment promoted student involvement with the course – tutorial attendance was greater and more uniform than previously and exam performance improved significantly. Students recognised that the assessment system was useful in encouraging continuous learning over the semester and building confidence.     

Using cognitive interviews to pilot an international survey of principal preparation: A Western Australian perspective

This paper provides an example of the application of the cognitive interview, a qualitative tool for pre-testing a survey instrument to check its cognitive validity, that is, whether the items mean to respondents what they mean to the item designers. The instrument is the survey used in the final phase of the International Study of Principal Preparation (ISPP ). This study involving researchers in 13 countries investigates those aspects of principals’ work perceived by them to be most challenging in their early years in the position and the extent to which principals believe they were prepared for these challenges. Both probing and think aloud approaches to the cognitive interview were used and revealed a small number of items requiring amendment.