Factorial Validity of Student Ratings of Instruction

This study tested the Systematic Distortion Hypothesis by examining the factorial validity of student ratings of university teaching. Factorial validity is defined as the degree to which covariance among judged traits resembles the actual or true covariation of observable behaviors underlying these traits. Although many studies have examined the factorial validity of ratings, results are inconsistent. The present study used a more complete methodology to address some of the limitations of previous studies. Student ratings of teaching and measurements of actual teaching behaviors were obtained for 32 instructors. Student ratings were compared to frequency counts of actual teaching behaviors obtained from videotape and to students’ similarity judgments of teacher characteristics. It was found, first, that the structure of student ratings showed a moderately strong relation to the structure of actual behaviors, and a somewhat stronger relation to the structure of conceptual associations; and second, that the effects of systematic distortion were more pronounced for low-inference student ratings than for high-inference ratings.     

Beyond Evolution: Addressing Broad Interactions Between Science and Religion in Science Teacher Education

Science and religion are two indisputably profound and durable cultural forces with a complex history of interaction. As ASTE members are aware, these interactions often manifest themselves in classrooms and in the surrounding communities. In this essay, we encourage science teacher educators to broaden their perspectives of science–religion interactions so that they may better assist pre- and in-service science teachers with addressing topics such as the age and origins of the universe and biological evolution in an appropriate manner. We first introduce some foundational scholarship into the historical interactions between science and religion as well as current efforts to maintain healthy dialogue between perspectives that are frequently characterized as innately in conflict with or mutually exclusive of one another. Given that biological evolution is the dominant science–religion issue of our day, in particular in the USA, we next summarize the origins and strategies of anti-evolution movements via the rise and persistence of Christian Fundamentalism. We then summarize survey and qualitative sociological research indicating disparities between academic scientists and the general public with regard to religious beliefs to help us further understand our students’ worldviews and the challenges they often face in campus-to-classroom transitions. We conclude the essay by providing resources and practical suggestions, including legal considerations, to assist science teacher educators with their curriculum and outreach.     

Signal frequency based self-tuning fuzzy controller for semi-active suspension system

A new kind of fuzzy control scheme, based on the identification of the signal's main frequency and the behavior of the ER damper, is proposed to control the semi-active suspension system. This method adjusts the fuzzy controller to achieve the best isolation effect by analyzing the main frequency's characters and inspecting the change of system parameters. The input of the fuzzy controller is the main frequency and the optimal damping ratio is the output. Simulation results indicated that the proposed control method is very effective in isolating the vibration. Project (No. 69974024) supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China     

Min-max partitioning problem with matroid constraint

In this paper, we consider the set partitioning problem with matroid constraint, which is a generation of the k-partitioning problem. The objective is to minimize the weight of the heaviest subset. We present an approximation algorithm, which consists of two sub-algorithms--the modified Edmonds＇ matroid partitioning algorithm and the exchange algorithm, for the problem. An estimation of the worst ratio for the algorithm is given.     

Role of teachers in influencing the development of adolescents’ possible selves

During late childhood and early adolescence, there is a dramatic increase in cognitive skills which influences how young people begin to think about their futures. The construct of possible selves has been used to help understanding of adolescents’ views of their future plans and goals by exploring their social perceptions to gain insight about how they think about the world and themselves. This study examined the role of perceived teacher support in adolescents’ development of possible selves. Results suggest that the four groups (White males, Latinos, White females and Latinas) in this study think in different ways about their future possible selves of graduating from a 4-year university. This study provides important theoretical as well as practical implications.     

薄透镜焦距测定实验中像屏的改进

将以往纯白像屏改进为带有刻度尺的白像屏 ,可方便调节光学系统的共轴等高 ,缩短调整时间 ,使实验测定精度提高 ,误差减小 ,实验效率提高     

The Promotion to Full Professor – Through Competition or by Individual Competence?

This paper analyses the outcome of a reform of the academic career structure in Norway. From 1993 on, associate professors can apply for promotion to full professorships on the basis of individual research competence irrespective of vacant professorships. This has now become a more important way of attaining a full professorship than through competition with other applicants. Only 30% of new professors are appointed the traditional way. The reform has led to a substantial increase in the number of full professors in the university sector, from 37% of the tenured academic staff in 1991 to 47% in 2001.     

ICT for and in Internationalization Processes: A Business School Case Study

It is assumed that information and communication technologies (ICTs) are pivotal for globalization of higher education and in internationalization processes. Moreover, it is claimed that globalization and new technologies have opened up a global market for education, in which new providers of higher education operate, and that this competition poses significant threats to traditional campus-based universities and colleges. This article we will shed light on these assumptions, by focusing on the following problem statement: To what extent is ICT seen as a means to internationalize higher education and how are ICTs employed in internationalization processes? This study reports findings from a case study of the Norwegian School of Management, a private business school, which in Norway is often seen as a stereotype of a ‘new provider’ operating in a global market, and a theoretically relevant case for, at a micro level, study the intersection between internationalization and ICT. The case study indicates that although information and communication technologies are seen as central in internationalization processes, and for supporting and coordinating international activities, they are not seen as driving forces for internationalization of higher education. The data indicates five main ways through which ICTs are used as support tools in internationalization processes.     

Self-Efficacy,Stress, and Academic Success in College

This paper investigates the joint effects of academic self-efficacy and stress on the academic performance of 107 nontraditional, largely immigrant and minority, college freshmen at a large urban commuter institution. We developed a survey instrument to measure the level of academic self-efficacy and perceived stress associated with 27 college-related tasks. Both scales have high reliability, and they are moderately negatively correlated. We estimated structural equation models to assess the relative importance of stress and self-efficacy in predicting three academic performance outcomes: first-year college GPA, the number of accumulated credits, and college retention after the first year. The results suggest that academic self-efficacy is a more robust and consistent predictor than stress of academic success.