Simulation-based performance assessment: an innovative approach to exploring understanding of physical science concepts

This paper illustrates the use of simulation-based performance assessment (PA) methodology in a recent study of eighth-grade students’ understanding of physical science concepts. A set of four simulation-based PA tasks were iteratively developed to assess student understanding of an array of physical science concepts, including net force, acceleration, velocity, and inertia. Illustrative examples drawn from the administration of these simulation-based PA tasks to a sample of eighth-grade students (n?=?74) highlight the potential of simulation-based tasks for revealing conceptual understanding of science concepts and for informing curriculum development within the context of design-based implementation research. The paper also describes a variety of challenges encountered over the course of the development, administration, and analysis of the PA data that may be informative for researchers and educators as they consider implementing simulation-based PAs.     

Pedagogic practices to support international students in seminar discussions

ABSTRACT

This article explores pedagogic practices, in particular, material artefacts, which support participation and structure the interaction of international students in seminar discussions. Using both a fine-grained analysis of the artefact in interaction as well as student perspectives on its affordances, the findings reveal how material artefacts in the form of worksheets and reading guides can provide international students with linguistic resources, content, and familiarity of routines and participation structures. This article concludes that pedagogic practices are crucial to increasing interaction and participation of international students in seminar settings.     

Individual differences in local and global metacognitive judgments

Metacognition and Learning - Extensive research has been conducted to understand how accurately students monitor their studying and performance via metacognitive judgments. Moreover, the bases of...     

Faculty and student views of the interim term

Evaluations of the interim term or 4-1-4 program at various colleges have been generally favorable. A detailed evaluation of the Rider College interim study program (ISP) based on faculty and student reports was also generally favorable but indicated that the more non-traditionally oriented courses, such as travel or off-campus study, were rated higher than the more traditional offerings, such as lectures or library projects. ISPs which required little time or effort on the part of students were rated poorly. Many of the faculty felt that the program had given them a deeper involvement with students and had allowed them to offer material they may not have offered during the regular semester, or to teach in a different way.     

Cognitive and Emotional Processes as Predictors of a Successful Transition Into School

Research Findings: The aim of this research was to delineate developmental processes that contribute to early school success. To achieve this aim, we examined emotion regulation, executive functioning, emotion knowledge, and metacognition at ages 3 and 4 as distal and proximal predictors of age 5 achievement and school adjustment in a sample of 263 children (42% non-White). We also explored mediational pathways among these 4 processes in the prediction of the age 5 outcomes. Results revealed that all 4 processes affected achievement and school adjustment, but in different ways, with executive functioning emerging as a key predictor. Practice or Policy: Executive functioning was found to be a key factor in predicting achievement and school performance in the kindergarten year. This finding provides support for the development of executive functioning training programs that can be applied in the preschool classroom, particularly for promoting reading development. However, additional emphasis should be placed on both cognitive and emotional processes in the preschool years to promote optimal development.