The Effects of Motion Math: Bounce on Students’ Fraction Knowledge

National assessments suggest that many students do not display proficiency with fractions. Considering that time and materials are precious resources, many educators are looking to use technology to provide supplemental instruction with low demand on the instructor. The current study utilized a multiple-baseline design to examine the effects of the Motion Math: Bounce application on the fraction quantity comparison and number line placement skills of three fifth-grade students. Results indicate that Motion Math: Bounce improved the quantity comparison skills of all three participants and the number line skills of one participant. Additionally, all three participants made improvements from pre- to posttest on a measure of general fraction knowledge. Implications for future research and intervention implementation are discussed.     

The Effect of a Computerized Simulation on Middle School Students’ Understanding of the Kinetic Molecular Theory

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a dynamic software simulation on the understanding of the kinetic molecular theory by 7th graders. Students in the control group (n = 62) studied a curricular unit that addressed the differences in arrangement and motion of molecules in the three phases of matter. The experimental group (n = 71) studied the same unit combined with a few computer lessons using a software simulation. The results indicate that the students in the experimental group scored significantly higher than those in the control group. Nonetheless, while both groups of students improved their understanding of the kinetic molecular theory, the overall achievements were very low. These findings suggest that the simulation improved the understanding of the 7th graders; however, it was insufficient in itself to promote meaningful learning. Statistically significant gender differences were not observed. This paper concludes with a discussion of the educational implications of this study.     

校门边的申请者

去自己理想的大学读书是每个学生的梦想,了解学校的学术环境、人文环境,乃至地理环境是每一个学生在入学前想做的事情,本文介绍了美国耶鲁大学的部分特点和校园的传统,希望读者朋友能够藉此了解一点儿美国大学校园文化。     

School choice with education vouchers: an empirical case study from Hong Kong

This paper seeks to question what impact education vouchers have on the process of school choice. The context examined in the paper is the Pre-primary Education Voucher Scheme (‘Voucher Scheme’) introduced in 2007 in Hong Kong. Using a Straussian grounded theory method, data collected from 40 parent interviews are coded, analysed and developed into categories. The paper analytically situates the findings within a model, derived from the data, which is based on two properties: orientation and time. Orientation differentiates and emphasises the significance of choice factors in relation to the school versus the family, and time is related to focus on the present versus the future. The paper subsequently presents the data related to these properties and reflects on the intricate dynamic of parents’ school choice decisions under the Voucher Scheme.     

Second-order conditioning: Different outcomes in fear and eyelid conditioning

Second-order conditioning has been frequently observed with the fear response but not with the eyelid response. The present experiments manipulated the temporal relationship between the second-order and first-order stimulus on second-order conditioning trials. Our results indicated that a trace second-order procedure is not effective with either response system. Second-order fear conditioning was most prominent when the second-order CS terminated at the onset of the first-order CS. This arrangement, however, did not produce second-order eyelid CRs. In eyelid conditioning, the second-order CS appears to inhibit responding to the first-order CS which immediately follows it.     

Participatory action research and the challenges of knowledge democracy

ABSTRACT

Participatory action research investigates the living and working conditions of people by actively involving them in the research process and thus broadening their horizons and empowering them to improve their situation. The radical idea of knowledge democracy is to recognize and respect the existing knowledge and epistemologies of traditional communities, ethnic tribes, socially marginalized groups and grass roots movements as valuable resources, essential for the comprehensive understanding required to find solutions to complex local as well as global problems. Nevertheless, the question arises whether science and alternative knowledges really are compatible and on an equal footing? Is science not superior to all other knowledge systems? On the other hand, is science and its exclusive claim to rationality and universalism not the back side of the colonial project of ‘epistemicide’ – the subjugation and eradication of all traditional knowledges worldwide? Do not some of these knowledges offer ways of thinking that are valuable and eye-opening but inaccessible to science? Well known examples of a fruitful dialogue between different epistemologies are ethnobotany, complementary medicine and ethnomathematics. Knowledge democracy means appreciative exchange of different perspectives which through collaboration and partnership between local people and researchers can lead to sustainable solutions of complex problems, more self-consciousness and emancipation from social constraints.     

Prematurity stereotyping: effects on mother-infant interaction

The possibility that the self-fulfilling prophecy process can adversely affect the caregiving environment of premature infants was explored in this study. A portion of this process was investigated experimentally by assessing cognitive and behavioral reactions of 27 mothers to unfamiliar full-term infants who were labeled either full-term or premature. Infants who were described as premature were touched less and given a more immature toy to play with, were rated as smaller, finer-featured, and less cute, and were liked less than infants who were labeled full-term. In turn, infants labeled premature were less active during the interaction than infants labeled full-term. College students who later observed the videotapes made of the mother-infant interactions were able to accurately guess which label was assigned to the infants. The results of this study further support the existence of a prematurity stereotype and the impact of expectations on perceptions and behavior.