Girls and boys and practical science

A critical examination of the evidence from the literature suggests that there are more similarities than differences between the performances of girls and boys on practical laboratory tasks, notwithstanding well‐established, sex‐related differences in areas of interest, science‐relevant experience and confidence. This premise is supported by an analysis, with differentiation by sex, of the Techniques for Assessment of Practical Skills in Science Project (TAPs)? data, gathered from 1122 Scottish pupils 15‐16 years old, considered by their teachers to be low achievers in science.

It is argued that, by neglecting the assessment of practical work, there has been a failure to capitalize on the generally favourable attitudes of pupils, particularly those of girls, to this component of science courses, and that a formative, diagnostic and criterion‐referenced approach to assessment, together with the development of a sensitive reporting system, has the potential to enhance teaching and learning. An assessment system with these characteristics was developed and the resulting profiles of achievement, compiled by the class teacher, were used for purposes of national certification. Novel features of the scheme may have contributed to the better performances ‘overall’ by the girls in the sample.     

美国总统的休闲生活

1 With its long hours and psychological burden,the modern presidency is a stressful job.Consequently,rest and relaxation are important to the well-being of the president.……     

Collaboration and Comparisons: A bilateral study of mathematics performance in Scotland and France

This study was set up as an adjunct to national assessment programmes undertake independently in Scotland and France in 1994. The stated aim was to compare Scottish pupils' performance in mathematics at Primary stages P4 and P7 with that of French pupils at stages CE2 and 6è. Issues of comparability which have arisen from multinational surveys are identified and compared with those found in the bilateral study to consider suggestions that it might provide a model for future European comparisons. Methodological issues addressed include the comparability of samples and the selection of and curriculum coverage of common items. Some findings on relative performance are reported and differences in test motivation discussed. Changes in national policies for survey organisation and design needed to minimise perceived difficulties are identified with attention drawn to the differing status and purposes of two national programmes and to cultural differences between two education systems.     

Precision Teaching and Fluency Training: Making maths easier for pupils and teachers

A 12-week programme was designed for five children in a primary class (9-10 years of age) who were failing to keep pace with their peers in the maths curriculum. The programme drew on principles of precision teaching and emphasised fluency training in the component skills required for the performance of a composite maths skill. The class teacher identified a target composite skill, and the five children's scores were compared before and after the programme, and compared with the rest of the class. On post-programme measures, the precision teaching children out-performed all but one of their peers on the target skill. This paper adds to a growing database demonstrating the importance of fluency training and frequent monitoring of children's progress (fundamentals of precision teaching). It also shows that expensive and time-consuming additional resources are not required to successfully implement such programmes.     

Generative Paradox in Learner-Centered College Teaching

The discussion identifies six contradictions that characterize the emergent learner-centered teaching role: (a) control/flow, (b) facilitator/evaluator, (c) teacher learning/student learning, (d) subject expert/teaching expert, (e) caring for students/caring for self, and (f) individual mentor/group leader. Key concepts are presented (conflict, compartmentalized paradox, and generative paradox) which represent points on a continuum of the degree to which college teachers have successfully integrated these fundamental contradictions in the learner-centered teaching role. This article extends an ongoing discussion of integrity in learner-centered teaching by providing a conceptual paradigm and examples for developing consistently productive responses to these six fundamental contradictions in learner-centered teaching.Douglas Reimondo Robertson (Ph.D., Syracuse University) is Assistant Provost for Professional Development Programs and Professor of Educational Leadership at Northern Kentucky University. His most recent line of research focuses on further developing the emergent concept and practice of learner-centered college teaching.