Dialectical constraints to the discursive practices of a high school physics community

The study investigates how the discursive practices in a physics class were constrained by social forces associated with the larger context in which teaching and learning were situated. The teacher understood teacing and learning in terms of constructivism, believed that students should have more autonomy in the classroom, and structured activities to involve students actively in the learning process. However, despite his efforts to enact the curriculum in a manner that was consistent with constructivism, the emphasis still was on goals such as learning to use formulas to perform calculations and memorizing facts. In addition to constructivism, belief sets that shaped the enacted curriculum related to time being scarce, content coverage being a primary concern, and students needing to be prepared for examinations. A characteristic of the classroom community was a relative imbalance between the voices of science and common sense. Even though the teacher was concerned with students making sense of physics, examples are provided of students accepting the viability of scientific claims despite contradictions with their common sense notions. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 34: 491–507, 1997.     

Classroom Learning Environments and Students' Approaches to Learning

Four hundred and eighty-four students from two metropolitan secondary schools completed the Learning Process Questionnaire, the Individualised Classroom Environment Questionnaire and the Learner Self Concept scale. Relationships between perceptions of the classroom learning environment, approaches to learning and self concept as a learner were investigated. Gender and level of schooling (junior high versus senior high) differences were examined. Results showed Deep Approaches to learning were significantly related to classroom learning environments which were perceived to be highly personalised and to be encouraging active participation in the learning process and the use of investigative skills in learning activities. High learner self concept was positively associated with Deep Approaches to learning and with classrooms perceived as high in Personalisation. It was negatively associated with Surface Approaches to learning. Differences in perceptions of learning environments and approaches to learning in relation to gender and level of schooling were small. The implications of these findings are discussed and strategies for facilitating Deep Approaches to learning are referred to. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Using a metaphor for learning to improve students' metacognition in the chemistry classroom

A constructivist framework was used in conjunction with an interpretive methodology to investigate the effect of an intervention using the metaphor “learning is constructing” on students' metacognition and learning processes. The metaphor was used to communicate with students regarding learning processes consistent with constructivism. Students were initially found to be generally non‐metacognitive regarding their learning processes. Despite some students possessing metacognitive knowledge consistent with a constructivist learning orientation, their pre‐intervention views and preferences in relation to teaching and learning were predominantly consistent with transmission models. The effect of the intervention on students' metacognition was variable. Some students became increasingly metacognitive and reported evidence of revision of their learning processes. Others reported little or no effect. The effects of the intervention can be partially explained by considering changes to students' metacognition as conceptual change. However, this study also shows that contextual factors are key determinants of students' propensity to enhance their metacognition and learning processes. This study highlights the potential of using metaphor as a means to assist teachers and students develop a shared language of learning in classroom settings. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 38: 222–259, 2001     

体育院校工会在构建和谐校园中的作用

体育院校工会工作是高等教育事业不可或缺的重要组成部分,工会作为教职工利益的代表者和维护者,要从维护教职工的合法权益、保证教职工的民主权利、提高教职工队伍素质、营造和谐校园文化和推进自身建设等方面加强高校工会在构建和谐校园中的积极作用。     

Are parental concerns about children's inactivity warranted, and are they associated with a supportive home environment?

This paper explores parental concern about children's activity levels and whether parents who are concerned about their child's activity provide a supportive environment. A sample of 615 parents of 5-6-year-old children and 947 parents of 10-12-year-old children completed a questionnaire. Just over 50% of parents reported they were concerned their child was not getting enough activity. Children of concerned parents were less active than those whose parents were not concerned. These findings suggest that parents who are concerned about their child's physical activity levels provided a less supportive environment for physical activity than parents who are not concerned. The challenge for public health will be to harness parental concerns and translate them into action.     

侧重于渔业的东海海岸剖面分析模型初探——以舟山群岛为例

通过1998年至2000年间舟山群岛地区鱼类栖息地环境、渔业劳动力和管理措施、渔获物产量和产值等生态、社会和经济综合参数的海岸剖面分析模型(CTAM)的构建,实现该地区渔业资源变化以及渔获物、现金和劳动力流通的可视化,初步评价近海、外海大小型渔业的经济-社会-生态综合效益,为东海海洋渔业的可持续发展提供有价值的信息和建议.分析结果表明:①渔业资源的保护和增长可通过鱼类栖息地的保护和渔具类型与规模的控制实现;②舟山地区可加强海洋捕捞业的竞争力,拓展国内外市场;③科学发展舟山群岛渔业需要严格控制近海渔业,做好近海小型渔业转产转业工作,并适当发展外海渔业,同时做好近外海渔业资源的保护工作.     

Student Views of Concept Mapping Use in Introductory Tertiary Biology Classes

Introductory tertiary level science classes (i.e., at the university or post-compulsory school level) including those for biology face increasing diversity in intake. Previous research has indicated university level teachers assume a certain level of prior knowledge which may or may not be possessed by such students. This report focuses on the use of concept mapping in introductory biology tutorial classes. The research findings suggest that the students found the use of concept mapping enjoyable and that it can enhance meaningful learning for topics that require students to link concepts.