The Effect of a Computerized Simulation on Middle School Students’ Understanding of the Kinetic Molecular Theory

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a dynamic software simulation on the understanding of the kinetic molecular theory by 7th graders. Students in the control group (n = 62) studied a curricular unit that addressed the differences in arrangement and motion of molecules in the three phases of matter. The experimental group (n = 71) studied the same unit combined with a few computer lessons using a software simulation. The results indicate that the students in the experimental group scored significantly higher than those in the control group. Nonetheless, while both groups of students improved their understanding of the kinetic molecular theory, the overall achievements were very low. These findings suggest that the simulation improved the understanding of the 7th graders; however, it was insufficient in itself to promote meaningful learning. Statistically significant gender differences were not observed. This paper concludes with a discussion of the educational implications of this study.     

Quantitative and qualitative approaches in educational research — problems and examples of controlled understanding through interpretive methods

In the methodological discussion of recent years it has become apparent that many research problems, including problems relating to the theory of educational science, cannot be solved by using quantitative methods. The multifaceted aspects of human behaviour and all its environment-bound subtle nuances, especially the process of education or the development of identity, cannot fully be taken into account within a rigid neopositivist approach. In employing the paradigm of symbolic interactionism as a suitable model for the analysis of processes of education and formation, the research has generally to start out from complex reciprocal social interactions instead of unambigious connections of causes. In analysing several particular methodological problems, the article demonstrates some weaknesses of quantitative approaches and then shows the advantages in and the necessity for using qualitative research tools.

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Zusammenfassung In der methodologischen Diskussion der letzten Jahre hat sich gezeigt, auch im Hinblick auf Theorieprobleme der Erziehungswissenschaft, daß eine ganze Reihe von Forschungsproblemen nicht mit quantitativen Methoden in den Griff zu bekommen sind. Die facettenreichen Aspekte menschlichen Verhaltens, einschließlich seiner situationsbedingten Nuancen, insbesondere der Erziehungsprozeß oder die Entwicklung der Identität, sind mit einem rigiden neopositivistischen konzeptionellen Rahmen nicht angemessen zu begreifen. Wenn dagegen das Paradigma der symbolischen Interaktion als adäquates Modell für die Analyse der Erziehungs- und Bildungsprozesse genommen wird, muß die Methodologie generell von komplexen sozialen Wechselbeziehungen anstatt von eindeutigen Kausalbeziehungen ausgehen. Indem einige methodologische Probleme exemplarisch diskutiert werden, sollen in dem Artikel einige Schwachpunkte quantitativer Methoden demonstriert werden. Darüberhinaus sollen Vorteile und Notwendigkeit des Gebrauchs von qualitativen Forschungsverfahren dargelegt werden.

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Résumé Il est apparu évident dans le débat méthodologique de ces dernières années que de nombreux problèmes liés à la recherche, y compris ceux relatifs à la théorie des sciences de l'éducation, ne pouvaient être résolus au moyen de méthodes quantitatives. Les aspects aux facettes multiples du comportement humain et toutes ses nuances subtiles liées à l'environnement, notamment le processus d'éducation ou le développement de l'identité, ne peuvent être retenus pour une approche néopositiviste rigide. En considérant le paradigme de l'interaction symbolique en tant que modèle convenable pour l'analyse des processus d'éducation et de formation, la recherche est généralement partie d'interactions sociales réciproques complexes plutôt que de relations de causes non équivoques. En analysant quelques problèmes méthodologiques particuliers, cet article révèle quelques faiblesses des approches quantitatives et montre les avantages et la nécessité de l'utilisation d'instruments de recherche qualitatifs.

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This paper is a revised version of a lecture given on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Institute for Pedagogical Research at the University of Oslo in August, 1986. The paper is dedicated to the Institute and to Günther Patzig who celebrated his 60th birthday on 28 September, 1986.     

A thousand tiny pluralities: children becoming-other than the requirements of postsecular neoliberal policy recognition

ABSTRACT

This paper critiques the idea that secular education policy can neutrally recognise children’s non/religious identities at school. It also empirically analyses how one child becomes restricted by, and eludes, classed, gendered and adult-centred moral codes enacted through local school recognition. The concept of policy assemblage is first used to problematise postsecular, market-led enactments of non/religious school community recognition transnationally. I argue postsecular policy enactments in Ireland and elsewhere produce viable and non-viable forms of non/religious school community, thus containing, rather than facilitating school plurality and (re)creating social hierarchies. However, drawing on Deleuzian ideas of becoming and partial objects, I argue children are not determined by the sense-making moral codes of the policy assemblage. To demonstrate this argument, I map instances of how one girl alters and eludes the meanings of austerity, choice and authenticity moral codes. I do not privilege this girl as an example of child resistance, as I argue against using children as barometers of policy authority and secularist authenticity. Instead, I contend that alongside naming and opposing policy’s unjust effects, we need to cultivate attention to our capacity to affect and be affected by the partial objects (e.g. moral codes) and becomings of postsecular neoliberal policy assemblages.     

Enhancing Scientific Communication Skills: a Real-World Simulation in a Tertiary-Level Life Science Class Using E-Learning Technology in Biomedical Literature Perception,Reflective Review Writing on a Clinical Issue,and Self and Peer Assessments

Research in Science Education - This educational study aimed to explore the feasibility and acceptance of a literacy exercise adopted from the realworld of scientific publishing in a cell and...     

Disabilities Among Norwegian Students Found Eligible for Special Education

The prevalence of different disabilities in a sample of 780 students found eligible for special education in Norway is presented in this article. Each student was judged in relation to 10 different disabilities, and the frequencies of the different disabilities were reported. Almost all students had more than one problem or disability. It is argued that statistics related to students with disabilities that ascribe each student only to one category of disability do not provide a correct picture of the prevalence of different disabilities. The most common disabilities reported in this study were psychosocial problems, intellectual disability, and communication disorders that were found in about 40 to 50% of the students. About one third of the students were reported to have attention deficit disorder or physical disabilities, 25% experienced social stress outside school, and 20% had medical problems. Hearing and visual impairments are reported for about 5% and 6% of the sample respectively.     

校门边的申请者

去自己理想的大学读书是每个学生的梦想,了解学校的学术环境、人文环境,乃至地理环境是每一个学生在入学前想做的事情,本文介绍了美国耶鲁大学的部分特点和校园的传统,希望读者朋友能够藉此了解一点儿美国大学校园文化。