Classification System for English Language Learners: Issues and Recommendations

High‐stakes decisions for the instruction and assessment of English language learner (ELL) students are made based on the premise that ELL classification is a valid dichotomy that distinguishes between those who are proficient in the use of the English language and those who are not. However, recent research findings draw a vague picture of the term “ELL” and call for a more valid classification system for ELL students. Thus, the purpose of this paper is twofold: (1) to reveal issues concerning the validity of the current ELL classification system based on the results of several empirical studies, and (2) to initiate a discussion on ways to improve the validity of the ELL classification system by proposing a system that uses existing multiple criteria in a stepwise manner. While the suggested system has its own limitations and controversies, we hope this discussion stimulates thoughts and brings much needed attention to this very important national issue.     

University students＇ conceptions about the concept of gene： Interest of historical approach

Concepts of genetics are often difficult to teach, specifically the central concept of gene. Even the scientists disagree when defining this concept. This paper investigates university students＇ understanding about the gene and its functions. The results show the dominance of two conceptions of the gene： the Neoclassical model and the Mendelian model. The existence of hybrid conceptions and the lack of the modern model show that students are unable to mobilize the knowledge taught in biology. These results suggest to improve the teaching methods of genetics, for instance, by developing activities that bring students face to face with their conceptions.     

Medical Problems in a Sample of Children with Intellectual Impairments in Jordan

Data on medical problems were collected on 262 children attending special schools for persons having intellectual impairments in Jordan. The results indicated that various medical problems were relatively common among the study subjects. The results also showed that prevalence rates of medical problems were higher among younger, female children with more severe intellectual impairments.     

Assessing Students' Opportunity to Learn: Teacher and Student Perspectives

How can we assess the opportunity that students have to learn the material they find on tests? How do students' perceptions of opportunity to learn differ from their teachers?     

Pre-service special education teachers’ professionalism and preparation in terms of child sexual abuse

This study aimed at examining Jordanian pre-service special education teachers’ professionalism and preparation on the topic of child sexual abuse (CSA). Qualitative research data from interviews with 20 pre-service special education teachers were analysed using thematic analysis. The results showed that these participants generally hold avoiding behaviour toward speaking about CSA as it is an unspoken taboo. Participants also hold low levels of professionalism on the topic of CSA. The results also demonstrate that they felt that their preparation programme is inadequate and desired more content and pedagogy courses that relate to CSA. Implications and recommendations are presented in light of the study findings.     

Modeling and simulation of low-cycle fatigue life of steel reinforcing bars using artificial neural network

This study presents a model for predicting the low-cycle fatigue life of steel reinforcing bars using Artificial Neural Network (ANN). A Radial Basis Function (RBF) artificial neural network topology with two additional hidden layers and four neurons (processing elements) in each of these layers is used. The input parameters for the network are the maximum tensile strain (ε_s,max) and the strain ratio (R) and the output of the ANN is the number of cycles to fatigue failure (N_f). Low-cycle fatigue tests were conducted by the authors in a previous study for different types of steel reinforcing bars subjected to different strain amplitudes and at different strain ratios. The data resulted from these tests were used to train and test the ANN. It is observed that the ANN prediction of low-cycle fatigue life of steel reinforcing bars is within ±2 cycles of the experimental results for the majority of the test data. A parametric study had been carried out to investigate the effect of maximum strain and strain ratio on the fatigue life of steel reinforcing bars. It is concluded that both the strain ratio and the maximum strain have significant effect on the low-cycle fatigue life of such bars, especially at low values of maximum strain and their effect should be considered in both analysis and design. Other observations and conclusions were also drawn.     

Social capital,affect balance and personal well-being among teachers in Israel and Palestine

Informed by a perspective centred on psychological health and well-being, the present research investigated whether teachers’ overall well-being was influenced by their affect balance, as well as the extent to which both affect and well-being are influenced by social capital, in conflict-ridden areas such as the occupied Palestinian Territories (Gaza Strip and West Bank). The study involved three cohorts of Palestinian teachers working in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank, respectively (N = 153). Dynamics of social exclusion, religious difference, educational disparity, poor educational standards and a lack of opportunity are factors affecting Palestinian teachers in both Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. The results supported the hypothesis that emotional balance directly influences teachers’ well-being. Teachers with higher levels of positive affect reported greater personal well-being than those with higher levels of negative affect. Social capital also positively influenced teachers’ personal well-being, both directly, and indirectly by fostering positive emotions. These results suggest that availability of community resources plays a key role in promoting teachers’ well-being.     

Determining heating pipe temperature in greenhouse using proportional integral plus feedforward control and radial basic function neural-networks

INTRODUCTION The objective of greenhouse environment controlis to create an ideal climatic condition for plant growth.The interior air temperature is the most importantcontrol factor. Generally, heating facilities must beinstalled in the greenhouse in order to make the inte-rior air meet the need of the crop in cold days. Hotwater heating is the prevailing method. In order tosave energy, precise temperature control is necessary(Chalabi et al., 1996). For precise control of interior…     

Jordanian School Counselors’ Knowledge About and Attitudes Toward Diabetes Mellitus

This study investigated the knowledge and attitudes of Jordanian school counselors toward diabetes mellitus. A sample of 295 counselors completed a questionnaire consisting of two parts concerning knowledge and attitudes. The face validity of the questionnaire was assessed using an informed panel of judges, and its reliability was established using the test- re-test method. Results showed that counselors as a whole had a moderate level of knowledge about diabetes. This level of knowledge was related to counselor gender (females were more knowledgeable than males) and to knowing a person with diabetes, but not to counselor age. Results also showed that counselors showed favorable attitudes toward students with diabetes. Knowing a student with diabetes had no influence on attitudes.     

Firmness evaluation of melon using its vibration characteristic and finite element analysis

INTRODUCTION Researchers continue to develop non-destructive methods to evaluate the effect of their impact on ag-ricultural products using high-tech methods. Non-destructive techniques sensing has been applied for obtaining fruit and vegetable quality index. Non-destructive method for measuring firmness us-ing sonic or vibration characteristics applied in pre-vious investigations was recently reviewed by Arm-strong (1989) and Liljedahl and Abbott (1994). The sonic vibration technique u…