Hands-On: Investigating the role of physical manipulatives in spatial training

Studies show that spatial interventions lead to improvements in mathematics. However, outcomes vary based on whether physical manipulatives (embodied action) are used during training. This study compares the effects of embodied and non-embodied spatial interventions on spatial and mathematics outcomes. The study has a randomized, controlled, pre-post, follow-up, training design (N = 182; mean age 8 years; 49% female; 83.5% White). We show that both embodied and non-embodied spatial training approaches improve spatial skills compared to control. However, we conclude that embodied spatial training using physical manipulatives leads to larger, more consistent gains in mathematics and greater depth of spatial processing than non-embodied training. These findings highlight the potential of spatial activities, particularly those that use physical materials, for improving children's mathematics skills.     

Assessing and developing critical-thinking skills in higher education

Generic skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, and communication are essential for students' success in higher education and their careers. This article presents findings from an international study of students' (n ≈ 120,000) generic skills from six countries using a performance-based assessment. Results indicate that higher education students, on average, gain generic skills between entry and exit. However, learning gain is less marked than could be expected and varies significantly among country samples. Various background variables such as gender, ethnicity, parental level of education, and primary language are also explored. The authors conclude that it is feasible to reliably and validly measure generic skills in a cross-cultural context and that assessment of these skills is an essential component of best practices in higher education.     

An evaluation framework for cross-lingual link discovery

Cross-Lingual Link Discovery (CLLD) is a new problem in Information Retrieval. The aim is to automatically identify meaningful and relevant hypertext links between documents in different languages. This is particularly helpful in knowledge discovery if a multi-lingual knowledge base is sparse in one language or another, or the topical coverage in each language is different; such is the case with Wikipedia. Techniques for identifying new and topically relevant cross-lingual links are a current topic of interest at NTCIR where the CrossLink task has been running since the 2011 NTCIR-9. This paper presents the evaluation framework for benchmarking algorithms for cross-lingual link discovery evaluated in the context of NTCIR-9.     

Measurement of three-dimensional hand kinematics during swimming with a motion capture system: a feasibility study

Current trends in swimming biomechanics are focused on accurate measurements. Nowadays, reliable calibration methods have been proposed to reach an accuracy of about 1 mm on rigid structure. But the question remains about the final accuracy for three-dimensional hand kinematics measurement during the underwater phase of front crawl swimming. Furthermore, most research is based on manual tracking with two or more cameras. In this paper we propose a protocol to acquire three-dimensional hand kinematics when swimming in a specific pool with a motion analysis system behind windows. Results highlight the benefits of using such a system in terms of accuracy and feasibility: the time allowed for post-processing is ten times lower and the quantified improved accuracy is better than with manual tracking.     

Consultation,negotiation and compromise: the relationship between SENCos,parents and pupils with SEN

One outcome of the UK Government's commitment to inclusive educational policies was an increase in the number of pupils with special educational needs (SEN) being taught in mainstream schools. From the perspective of SENCos, this article analyses whether parents and pupils are able and willing to influence the development of SEN provision and distribution of SEN resources, both of which aim to ensure that pupils have more meaningful experiences of mainstream education. The findings of the study cast light on the power and influence of parents when it comes to SEN provision and resources, the importance of consulting parents and the ways in which parents empower SENCos to make decisions on behalf of themselves and their children. The importance of negotiating and attempting to seek a compromise with pupils was another key issue identified in the article. Ultimately, however, the power to decide where resources go and what is done with them appears to reside with SENCos.     

Teachers as Carers: A Case Study of a Secondary School's Pastoral Process

This paper describes the review and evaluation of the house/pastoral system at the Anglican Church Grammar School. The main findings were: an overwhelming acceptance of the house system; a high level of caring and commitment; and a desire to offer new challenges and support to permeate the whole educational process. There was also an almost total disregard for and antagonism towards the tutorial system. Based on interviews with staff, a representative staff working party agreed the changes that needed to be undertaken and improvements were made. The approach to the evaluation is an example of collaboration.     

The Quality of Message Ideas,Thinking and Interaction in an Asynchronous CMC Environment

One of the major shifts in education today under the influence of information and communication technologies is that there is an increased tendency toward the use of computer-mediated communications (CMC). CMC has developed an assortment of methods from simple e-mail to wireless instant messages and synchronous and asynchronous discussions. A large portion of the research in this area focuses on the pedagogical aspects of CMC particularly on the use, strategies, effectiveness and the integration of the new technologies for teaching and learning. Some studies investigate different perspectives of interaction like keeping track of asynchronous discussion, quality of participation, interaction and collaborative or group learning. This paper reports findings from the study that examines the quality of message ideas, thinking and interaction in an asynchronous CMC environment in a teacher training institution. The authors suggest some practical strategies in the implementation of asynchronous discussions in CMC environment. La qualité des messages d’idées, de la pensée et de l’interaction dans un environnement CMC asynchrone. Un des changements majeurs dans l’éducation aujourd’hui sous l’influence de l’information et des technologies de la communication est une tendance accrue À l’usage des communications par ordinateur (Computer-mediated Communications CMC). CMC a permis le développement de tout un assortiment de méthodes depuis de simples e-mail jusqu’À des messages sans fil instantanés et des discussions synchrones et asynchrones. Une grande partie de la recherche en ce domaine est centrée sur les aspects pédagogiques des CMC en particulier sur l’emploi, les stratégies, l’efficacité et l’intégration des nouvelles technologies pour l’enseignement et l’apprentissage. Certains études examinent les perspectives différentes de l’interaction. Telles que garder la trace des discussions asynchrones, la qualité de la participation interaction et l’apprentissage en coopération ou en groupe. L’article rapporte les résultats de l’étude qui examine la qualité des messages d’idées, la pensée et l’interaction dans un environnement de CMC asynchrone dans un établissement de formation des enseignants. Les auteurs suggérent des stratégies pratiques dans l’introduction de discussions asynchrones dans un environnement CMC. Die Qualität der übermittlung von Ideen, Denken und Interaktion in einem asynchronen CMC Umfeld Eine der wichtigsten Umstellungen der heutigen Ausbildung ist die unter dem Einfluss von Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologien verstärkte Tendenz, rechnergestützte Kommunikation (computer-mediated communications:CMC)

zu benutzen. CMC hat ein ganzes Arsenal von Methoden entwickelt, von der einfachen E-Mail bis zu drahtlosen Nachrichten und synchron oder asynchron geführten Diskussionen. Die Forschung in diesem Bereich konzentriert sich hauptsächlich auf die pädagogischen Aspekte von CMC, besonders auf die Nutzung, die Strategien, den Wirkungsgrad und die Möglichkeiten der Einbindung der Neuen Technologien zum Lehren und Lernen. Einige Arbeiten erforschen die verschiedenen Perspektiven

der Interaktion wie das Verfolgen von asynchronen Diskussionen, die Qualität der Beteiligung, der Interaktion und Zusammenarbeit oder dem Lernen in Gruppen. In diesem Beitrag wird über Ergebnisse der Studie zur Untersuchung der Qualität der übermittlung von Ideen, Gedanken und Interaktionen in einem asynchron arbeitenden rechnergestützten

System (CMC) einer Lehrerfortbildungseinrichtung berichtet. Die Autoren erläutern praktische Strategien zur Einbindung asynchroner Diskussionen in eine CMC-Umgebung.