The development of flexibility in equation solving

This paper explores the development of students’ knowledge of mathematical procedures. Students’ tendency to develop rote knowledge of procedures has been widely commented on. An alternative, more flexible endpoint for the development of procedural knowledge is explored here, where students choose to deviate from established solving patterns on particular problems for greater efficiency. Students with no prior knowledge of formal linear equation solving techniques were taught the basic transformations of this domain. After instruction, students engaged in problem-solving sessions in two conditions. Treatment students completed the “alternative ordering task,” where they were asked to re-solve a previously completed problem but using a different ordering of transformations. Those completing alternative ordering tasks demonstrated greater flexibility.     

The design and development of the dragoon intelligent tutoring system for model construction: lessons learned

This paper describes Dragoon, a simple intelligent tutoring system which teaches the construction of models of dynamic systems. Modelling is one of seven practices dictated in two new sets of educational standards in the U.S.A., and Dragoon is one of the first systems for teaching model construction for dynamic systems. Dragoon can be classified as a step-based tutoring system that uses example-tracing, an explicit pedagogical policy and an open learner model. Dragoon can also be used for computer-supported collaborative learning, and provides tools for classroom orchestration. This paper describes the features, user interfaces, and architecture of Dragoon; compares and contrasts Dragoon with other intelligent tutoring systems; and presents a brief overview of formative and summative evaluations of Dragoon in both high school and college classes. Of four summative evaluations, three found that students who used Dragoon learned more about the target system than students who did equivalent work without Dragoon.     

Several factors influencing web-spinning activity in the common house spiderAchaearanea tepidariorum Koch

Web-spinning activity ofAchaearanea tepidarortum (Koch) was observed in relation to amount of prior feeding, hours of food deprivation, and the number of flies (Drosophila melanogaster) available in the animal’s environment. Web spinning was positively related to the number of flies consumed in a 24-h period prior to testing, but did not vary significantly between 24 and 72 h of food deprivation. The amount of available food in the environment was positively related to web-spinning activity during a 48-h test period.     

Use of Computer Modeling of Site-Directed Mutagenesis of a Selected Enzyme: A Class Activity for an Introductory Biochemistry Course

For an introductory undergraduate biochemistry class, we developed an interactive, out of classroom, team project that would allow students to gain a better understanding of protein structure and function. This project involved the use of the molecular visualization program RasMol and computer simulated site-directed mutagenesis of selected amino acids of the enzyme, Uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase. Survey data from students after completion of the project indicated that they had developed a more complete understanding of protein three-dimensional structure leading to functionality.     

Rhetoric and reality: using ICT to enhance pupil learning—Harry Potter and the Warley Woods Mystery—Case study 2

How can we use ICT to enhance the quality of pupil learning? The case study below deliberately embedded ICT within the context of an existing scheme of work to develop 11–12 year olds’ understanding of the skills and processes of historical investigation. It also mapped onto the existing teaching styles of the teachers involved, and reflected their orientation—beliefs and values. The role for the ICT was to present the pupils with a problem that would intrigue, excite and motivate them. Accordingly, we asked them to act in role as assistants to Harry and Hermione in investigating the strange death of Sam Woodhouse in 1822. The pupils carried out the investigation using a hyperlinked set of clues. They had undertaken two identical kinds of investigation earlier in the year. One was a murder mystery, the other the disappearance of the Princes in the Tower in 1483. For both these mysteries the clues were on cards. Comparisons of the results of the ICT mystery with those of the earlier two investigations suggest that the hyperlink version was equally effective in terms of developing understanding, with some clear advantages in developing pupils’ overall understanding of the problem and ability to make links between disparate clues and pieces of information.     

Auditory perceptual processing in reading disabled children

One hundred and three children attending Learning Assistance Centres due to reading difficulties and one hundred and three matched, average readers were administered a battery of auditory perceptual processing tasks. The battery was composed of auditory analysis and synthesis, auditory sequential memory, auditory discrimination, and phonemic segmentation tasks. A principal components analysis yielded four factors. These were determined to be advanced phonological awareness, sequential memory, discrimination, and simple phonological awareness. Discriminant analyses, using the factor scores, indicated that three of the four factors were able to discriminate between the able and disabled readers. Most notable among these was advanced phonological awareness. Auditory discrimination could not discriminate between the groups. The results suggest that there may not be one underlying phonological ability implicated in successful reading acquisition. Furthermore, it is clear that two levels of phonological awareness exist and that screening and diagnostic instruments should address both in order to have predictive validity.     

'Not Without Dust and Heat': The Moral Bases of the 'New' Academic Professionalism

This paper challenges the view that academic professionalism resides in the professional 'autonomy' of the academic, the 'self-regulation' of academics as an occupational group, and the differential 'status' of academic workers. This still influential (though residual) notion of academic professionalism, it is argued, leads to institutional stasis. What is required is greater reflexivity by academics in respect of their underlying professional values. In particular the piece challenges the academic community (of which the author is a member) to re-think academic freedom – the bedrock of professional identity within that community – in terms of increased inclusivity: 'freedom for all' rather than 'freedom for academics' The paper touches on issues relating to practice and organisational structure, but focuses primarily on the need for academics to shift the moral bases of their claim to professionalism. In so doing, it also challenges the post-Dearing consensus that the debate on academic professionalism can be adequately conducted in terms of 'standards' and 'outcomes'. A prime purpose of the paper is to promote debate and discussion by setting a different kind of agenda (a moral agenda) and by couching that agenda within a different kind of discourse (one that invites and admits moral speculation).     

中国防己科药用植物的初步调查

 The Menispermaceae is a well-known alkaloid-rich family within the flowering plants.  Because of the therapeutic value and pharmacological actions of the alkaloids, contents of its members it has, besides taxonomists also attracted the attention of chemists, pharmacists and other research workers.  In the present work, the menisper- maceous medicinal plants of this country are dealt with from their taxonomical, phy- tochemical and therapeutic aspects.      As a result of our preliminary study, out of 18 genera with some 70 species so far found in China, 15 genera with 51 species and 2 varieties are known to possess medicinal value, of which some are famous Chinese drugs, viz. Stephania tetrandra S. Moore (粉防己), Tinospora callipes Gagnep. (金果榄), Sinomenium acutum (Thunb.) Rehd. et Wils. (青藤); some are important folk remedies, e.g. Archangelisia loureirii (Pierre) Diels (古山龙), Stephania cepharantha Hayata (金线吊乌龟); and some are raw materials for the preparation of medicines,  e.g. Fibraurea tinctoria Lour. for tetrahydropalmatine, Stephania sinica Diels for rotundine, etc.       After a careful taxonomic examination, two new species,  Cocculus mokaingensis Lien, Pericampelos omeiensis Lien, are found and herewith discribed.       Isoquinoline alkaloids are widely distributed in the whole family.  The Trib. Aniamirteae consisting of genus Arcangelisia,  the  Trib.  Fibraureae  consisting  of genera Tinomiscium and Fibraurea, as well as the  Trib.  Tinosporeae consisting of genera Tinospora and Parabaena are charaterized by the presence of proberberine alkaloids,  e.g.  berberine,  palmatine,  jatrorrhizine,  columbamine,  etc.  and  such alkaloid-bearing plants are commonly used as antiperiodic, antidote, antibiotic, anti- malarial,  etc.  On  the  other  hand,  the  Trib.  Menispermeae  elaborates  mainly bisbenzylisoquinoline-type alkaloids, and these plants are usually used in the treatment of rheumatism, and often as an anodyne, diuretic etc.      To facilitate identification, 10 plates are here provided.     

基于BIM的结构钢筋与机电系统翻模研究——以福州市规划院产业楼为例

基于建筑信息模型（Building Information Modeling, BIM)）概念,以福州市规划设计研究院新建大楼为实际案例,应用Autodesk Revit软件将原有CAD图纸进行BIM结构钢筋和机电模型建置,并提出BIM技术虚拟仿真过程中发现的问题。研究结果表明:（１）BIM技术可实际解决工程常常出现钢筋复杂节点、机电管道碰撞的问题;（２）机电系统进行Revit翻模时,不能按原CAD路径绘制,族库不全需建族完善。该研究成果可为后期施工决策提供技术支持,并有助于相关行业人士学习与借鉴。