A Matter of Degrees

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the extent to which computers assist high school students in learning English language vocabulary. The experience describes an experimental investigation conducted in a Teacher‐Training Practising Secondary School in Cameroon on the use of computer‐assisted software to teach English vocabulary. Specifically, the major thrust of this investigation was to compare the effects of using computers in the teaching of English language vocabulary with the conventional method of teaching. Students were split into two groups: an experimental group and a control group. The latter group received the conventional method while the former group was given the computer software application. Results indicated that there was very little significant difference in the academic performance of both groups. However, the experimental group demonstrated positive attitudes toward a computer and the software program.

Abstract français: Le but de cette recherche était de déterminer jusqu'o[ugrave] les ordinateurs peuvent aider des étudiants d'école secondaire à apprendre le vocabulaire anglais. L'article décrit la recherche conduite dans un institut de formation des maîtres du second degré au Cameroun sur l'utilisation de logiciels pour l'enseignement du vocabulaire anglais. En fait, l'objectif majeur de cette recherche était de comparer les effets de l'emploi des ordinateurs à cette fin avec les méthodes traditionelles de formation. On a divisé les étudiants en deux groupes: expérimental et contrôle. Ce dernier a reçu cette formation traditionelle, tandis que le premier a subi des applications de logiciels. Les résultats ont montré qu'il n'y avait pas de différence significative entre les performances des deux groupes. Cependant, le groupe expérimental a fait preuve d'attitudes positives envers l'ordinateur et les programmes de logiciels.     

Evaluation of a university course to promote physical activity: project GRAD

Project GRAD (Graduate Ready for Activity Daily) evaluates a university course to promote physical activity. In a randomized study, 338 university seniors participated in either an intervention or control course for academic credit, and posttest data were collected on 321. The control course was knowledge-oriented. The intervention course taught behavior change skills in weekly lectures and peer-led labs. Physical activity was assessed with 7-Day Physical Activity Recall interviews. The intervention had no significant effects on men. Among women, the intervention increased total physical activity during leisure, strengthening exercises, and flexibility exercise. This university course had the intended effects of promoting healthful patterns of physical activity among women, but no effects were observed on men, who were more active than women at baseline.