Evidence and its consequences in educational research

We begin by arguing that the continuing dominance of ‘evidence-based’ thinking in educational policymaking does serious harm to the notion of evidence itself; also that it brings a loss of coherence to education as a practice that might wish to be regarded as a coherent and research-informed one. The second section of the article suggests that the invidious consequences of ‘evidence-based’ thinking are likely to continue unless energetically challenged by a vibrant and robust understanding of education as a practice in its own right. In elucidating such an understanding, we investigate closely the notions of practice and practitioner, and their intrinsic connections, drawing on landmark researches on practice by authors like Alasdair MacIntyre and Joseph Dunne. Building on the understanding of education as a practice in its own right, the third section argues that the Dewey-inspired notion of justified warrant, rather than proof or replicability, is more appropriate to research claims made in education. Here we focus in particular on action research, which has experienced recurring difficulties in having its research credentials recognised.     

The ��M�� in SMEC: a short history of the mathematics education presence

In this paper I examine the history of the integration of mathematics education into the Science Education Centre, which had been established by physicist, John de Laeter, within the School of Science and Engineering at Curtin University in Perth, Australia. De Laeter’s vision for science education was that teachers should have access to professional education that allowed them to extend their discipline and pedagogical knowledge using strategies that brought together theory and practice in ways that were meaningful for teachers. This model was expanded when mathematics education was also included, paving the way also for technology education. I present the history of this integration laying out the themes that are important for the continued educational effectiveness of the Science and Mathematics Education Centre (SMEC) and the role that mathematics education has played in this process. As the title suggests, this article focuses on the activities of the group of mathematics educators who have worked within the Science and Mathematics Education Centre of Curtin University since it was established 30 or so years ago and who have contributed to its reputation. The two streams operated then and now more-or-less independently in matters of student thesis topic choice but offered students opportunities for interaction that might not have been available if the “M” had not been incorporated into the Science Education Centre (SEC). This article’s focus is on the mathematics educators who contributed to the Centre’s success and reputation, highlighting the synergistic relationship between mathematics and science that helped to make SMEC a leading center for mathematics and science education.     

Basic Problems of Continuing Engineering Education in Developing Countries: transfer of technology from developed to developing countries by CEE

This paper deals with three basic areas concerned with CEE in developing countries:     

Problem-based Learning in Architecture: Problems of Integration of Technical Disciplines

Recently, problem-based learning (PBL) has gained a lot of interest in engineering education. The Faculties of Architecture in Newcastle (Australia) and Delft (Holland) were among the first to embrace this new educational methodology. The article summarizes the characteristics of PBL and describes the architecture curricula at Newcastle and Delft. Among others, PBL aims at integrating different subjects. An analysis of Newcastle and Delft curricula reveals a common problem in the integration of technical disciplines like structures. The article proposes a solution within a general PBL framework     

浅析西藏图书馆藏文图书编目自动化

随着现代网络信息技术的不断发展,藏文图书编目也在逐渐采用各种计算机信息管理系统,文章介绍了西藏图书馆藏文图书编目从传统到自动化的转型过程,从而阐述了ILASII环境下藏文图书编目的优势和不足,最后提出了完善藏文图书编目的策略。     

Foreign Language Command: definition and description

The authors give a critical survey of the model of communicative competence underlying van Ek's Scope and Levels, written for the Council of Europe as a follow‐up of The Threshold Level of 1975‐76. Although generally in favour of van Ek's new approach, the authors find that van Ek's model lacks breadth of definition of strategic competence. This leads to some unclarity and confusion in van Ek's proposals. The authors also regret that van Ek does not allot a greater role to compensatory strategies in the assessment of levels of language command.

     

大学生信用卡现状分析与对策

文章针对目前大学生信用卡市场存在的问题,通过对13个省（市、自治区）25所高校不同专业在校大学生的问卷调查,对目前大学生信用卡市场的运行特点、发展潜力等进行了分析,提出了大学生信用卡市场的发展方向。