跨文化视野中的中英远程外语学习--英国开放大学与汕头电大个案研究

远程开放教育蓬勃发展,但其动作在世界各地又各有千秋,因此,从跨文化的角度研究环球远程开放教育十分重要。本文以英国开放大学和汕头电大为研究对象,调查在两种不同文化背景下的远程外语学习,并着重分析两校学生的学习信念,所遇到的困难和策略,探讨远程外语学习的资源建设和支持服务体系。该调查结论对于其它学科的远程学习也具有一定参照意义。     

Linking Science Education to the Workplace

This article examines the issue of linking education in the sciences with the world of work for all students. Traditionally, science teaching has been limited to preparing student for research career in science at the university level. The reform movement in science education is focused on intellectual skills that serve to fortify the human capital of all students and the economic productivity of the nation. The educational issue arises from evolutionary changes that are taking place in the practice of science, the development of a global economy, the nation's entrance into an Information Age, and the changing nature of the workplace. To identify and integrate these factors in the practice of science teaching is the goal of this article.     

Magnetic Field Diffusion Through Infinite Conducting Media

The diffusion of the magnetic field due to a step current in an infinitely long ideal conductor, through infinite media is discussed. An analytical solution of the field diffusion through two concentric cylinders of different conductivity is derived using a generalized Ohm's law which considers both solid and fluid conductors. A rigorous mathematical treatment which can be generalized to any number of conducting cylinders is presented.The limiting case of an external superconducting medium is discussed and it is shown that with all the other parameters fixed it represents a lower limit in diffusion time.     

Ethnic identity and close friendship in Chinese-American college studentsL'identité ethnique et l'amitié intime chez les étudiants chinoisaméricainsIdentidad etnica y amistad intima entre estudiantes chino-americanos

This article reports an empirical study on the relationship between ethnic identity and close friendship communication patterns in Chinese-American students. The friendship communication variables were: proximity, network size, frequency of interaction, perceived similarity, and degree of intimacy between subjects and close friends. Several hypotheses in this study were confirmed. Generation difference was a reliable predictor of ethnic identity on the 1st and 2nd generation subjects. Proximity was found to be a crucial factor that influenced the ethnicity of subjects' close friendship networks. All friendship variables were related on the zero-order correlation analyses. However, the relationship between ethnic identity and the ethnicity of subjects' friendship networks was not supported. This was explained in terms of sample bias, and the variable of friendship as a universal relational bond that transcends culture. The paper concludes with a set of research questions for future work on ethnic identity and cross-cultural friendship communication.