Self-efficacy and outcome expectancy in beginning weight training class: their relations to students' behavioral intention and actual behavior

This study was an initial attempt to investigate the relationships among self-efficacy, outcome expectancy, behavioral intention, and actual behavior over time in a beginning weight training class. A total of 109 participants completed questionnaires assessing their self-efficacy, outcome expectancy, and intentions for future weight training. Their attendance and workout logs were calculated as a measure of actual behavior. Correlation analyses revealed significant positive relationships among all the variables during both program periods. Multiple regression analyses indicated that outcome expectancy initially played a more important role than self-efficacy in predicting behavioral intention and actual behavior. However, self-efficacy appeared more influential at midprogram. Findings of this study can enhance our understanding of the determining factors for individuals' motivated behaviors in college physical activity classes.     

An objective method for depicting team performance in elite professional rugby union

Using a two-study approach, we examined a methodology for objectively depicting team performance and form in a professional rugby union side. Study 1 developed standardized indicators to examine a team's performance in a single match relative to their previous matches over a domestic season via a performance report and form chart. This resulted in standardized performance indicators that provided instant and coherent feedback on the team's performance relative to previous standards. Study 2 then utilized this methodology to compare a match between two professional sides, played the following season, to assess the extent to which the performance by one team affected that of the other. Comparison of the two teams' performances, for the match they played against each other, identified a drop in relative performance (against previous standards) for both teams on the same performance indicators. This appeared to be due to the match being a close, hard-fought contest particularly in the tackle and around the gain-line. The findings of the two studies suggest an accurate and viable methodology for depicting team performance that is superior to the global measures previously adopted. Presenting teams' current standardized performances (i.e. form) on a single visual scale also has utility for coaches within an applied setting. Future research should further investigate the effect of one team's performance on another through both individual and team outcomes.     

Adolescent personality and school and college performance: A follow-up study

This study reports correlations between the High School Personality Questionnaire and various indices of school achievement and compares the validities with prior studies. Three achievement scores are utilized: a self-report of high-school grades, a parental report of high-school grades several years after the testing, and actual college grades several years after the testing. In all cases, the results were similar and substantial, and consonant with typical values from earlier, nonlongitudinal studies.     

Incorporating a vocational component into a school psychological evaluation: A case example

Vocational assessment services increasingly are being provided to handicapped secondary school students as a result of recent federal legislation. This article describes the need for such services and describes a vocationally oriented psychological evaluation completed on a handicapped adolescent by a school psychologist. The relevance of traditionally derived school psychological assessment data in vocational programming, the value of expanding assessment batteries to include vocationally specific assessment techniques, and the writing of vocationally oriented psychological reports are discussed.     

Teacher-student verbal communication patterns in regular and special classrooms

Patterns of verbal communications between a teacher and student can influence the classroom environment, quality of the instructional program, and student management in the classroom. This study examined teacher-student communication patterns in both regular and special education classes for behaviorally and emotionally handicapped students. It was expected that special class communication patterns would differ substantially from those used in regular classes. Those communications would result in more effective student management and more time on-task for learning. Webster's (1984, 1986) Process Interaction Model was used to analyze the communication patterns. Expected differences between how regular and special class teachers interact with students were not found. Implications of findings are discussed in relationship to teacher training, teacher effectiveness, and classroom management.     

知识隐喻与教学转型

从知识隐喻的角度考察知识论历史演进的线索,我们可以看到:一切真正的知识都具有活动的、实践的性质,应当原原本本地看待“认知活动”。不过,这些知识的隐喻尽管凸现了“认知活动”的关系性,但依然没有从近代批判哲学所固有的认识论中解放出来。因此,传统的“客观主义”知识论固然是不可取的,现代的“主观主义”知识轮的局限性也不可轻视。立足于种种知识说给出的若干指标,考察我国的教育改革面临的问题,给予我们的启示是,素质教育的课堂教学需要克服两种片面性:既不能无视儿童已有的知识体系,单向地灌输知识;也不能走向轻视概念性知识、无视知识结构化的体验主义教育。     

教育均衡发展:理论、指标及测算方法

教育均衡实质上是指在教育公平思想和教育平等原则的支配下,教育机构和受教育者在教育活动中有平等待遇的理想和确保其实际操作的教育政策和法律制度。教育均衡发展的本质是追求教育平等,实现教育公平。教育均衡发展从宏观层面分析是教育供给与需求的均衡,从中观层面分析是教育资源配置的均衡,从微观层面分析是学校教育过程包括内部课程教学资源配置的均衡、教育结果的均衡以及教育评价的均衡。教育均衡发展是一个历史范畴,按其实现程度可分为四个阶段。建立适应我国国情的基础教育特别是义务教育均衡发展指数,科学地选择基础教育均衡发展的要素,明确基础教育均衡发展的目标,具有重要的现实意义。数据分析表明,我国基础教育从整体上看正在趋向均衡。