Science education goals and curriculum designs in American and Chinese High Schools

This paper reports findings from a comparative study of science education goals and curriculum designs in American and Chinese high schools, based on data gathered from a survey of Chinese educationists who came to the USA as visiting scholars between 1991 and 1994. The ideal goals of science education are similar in the USA and China, but the real emphases are quite different in the two nations' schools. In curriculum design, American science education has wider scope but much less depth than its Chinese counterpart. These differences are also reflected in text-books and classroom activities. Implications for change in science education are discussed for both American and Chinese high schools.

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Zusammenfassung Dieser Artikel befaßt sich mit den Ergebnissen einer vergleichenden Studie zu den Zielen der wissenschaftlichen Erziehung und Curriculumsentwürfen in amerikanischen und chinesischen Hochschulen; basierend auf einer Studie chinesischer Erziehungswissenschaftler, die zwischen 1991 und 1994 als Gastschüler in die USA kamen. Die Idealziele wissenschaftlicher Erziehung sind in den USA and in China gleich, aber die reale Umsetzung ist in den Schulen beider Nationen sehr unterschiedlich. Im Curriculumsentwurf hat die wissenschaftliche Erziehung der Amerikaner einen breiteren Umfang aber weniger Tiefgang als die ihrer chinesisischen Kollegen. Diese Unterschiede zeigen sich auch in Textbüchern und Aktivitäten im Klassenraum. Diskutiert werden anschließend Änderungsvorschläge sowohl für amerikanische als auch für chinesische Hochschulen.

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Résumé L'article commente les résultats d'une étude comparative entre les Etats-Unis et la Chine sur les objectifs de l'enseignement scientifique et l'élaboration des programmes correspondants. Ces résultats proviennent de données collectées lors d'une enquête réalisée par des pédagogues chinois séjournant dans des lycées américains entre 1991 et 1994. Les objectifs théoriques fixés pour l'enseignement des sciences correspondent dans les deux pays, mais les applications pratiques divergent notablement. En ce qui concerne la structure des programmes, l'enseignement américain est plus vaste mais moins approfondi que son équivalent chinois. Cette différence se reflète également dans les manuels scolaires et les activités en classe. S'ensuit une discussion sur les conséquences qu'aurait une révision de l'enseignement de cette matière dans les lycées des deux pays.

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Sumario Este trabajo informa los resultados de un estudio que compara los objetivos de la educación y los delineamientos de currículo de las universidades estadounidenses y chinas, basándose en datos recogidos de un informe confeccionade por especialistas en pedagogía chinos que permanecieron en los EE UU entre 1991 y 1994 como eruditos invitados. Si bien los objetivos ideales de los estudios científicos son similares en los EEUU y en China, los énfasis reales son bastante diferentes en los sistemas de ambas naciones. en el delineamiento del currículo americano, la educaíon científica presenta una gama más amplia, pero mucho menos profunda que la de su equivalente china. Estas diferencias también se reflejan en los libres de textos y en las actividades en las aulas. Se están discutiendo las consecuencias para un cambio en la educación científica, tanto para universidades estadounidenses como para las chinas.

     

Effect of group size on avoidance learning in zebra fish,Brachydanio rerio (Pisces: Cyprinidae)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of density of fish on the rate of avoidance learning in a schooling fish. Naive adult zebra fish (Brachydanio rerio) were trained in a two-way aquatic shuttlebox, in isolation, in groups of two, or in groups of five. The number of trials to reach progressively more exacting levels of performance (1, 2, 3, … ,9 consecutive correct avoidance responses on 2 successive days), was used to quantify the rate of learning for individuals in the three groups. Using this measure, individuals in groups of five reached any given level of performance in fewer trials than individuals tested alone, which in turn reached the progressive criteria in fewer trials than individuals tested in pairs. In addition, the mean latency of response to the conditioned stimulus for individuals in groups of five was significantly lower than for individuals tested alone or in groups of two by Day 3 of the experiment. The rate of learning in zebra fish schools at these densities may be due to either a balance between imitation learning and conflict-inhibition among the fish or the elicitation of different behavioral responses by shock, depending upon environmental stimuli.     

The effects of differing type and magnitude of reward on the contrafreeloading phenomenon in rats

This investigation was made to determine the effects of the magnitude of reward on contrafreeloading, using food or water as reward. Two quantities were selected for each level of reward quality—a 20-mg-pellet food reward, a 45-mg-pellet food reward, a .01-cc water reward, and a .1-cc water reward. Seven days of training were followed by three test sessions. There was a significantly higher percent of contrafreeloding demonstrated with food as reward than with water and higher number of barpresses with small reward than with large. It was argued that a more appropriate measure should include reference to performance during training. In this approach, contrafreeloading with food and water were virtually the same.     

Preservice teachers’ perceptions of an ICT-rich learning environment: Development of an instrument

This article reports the development of an instrument to measure preservice teachers’ perceptions of the Study Landscape (SLS), which is an ICT-infused learning environment that encourages preservice teachers to direct their own learning to build a two-way relationship between theory and teaching practice. This study comprised a qualitative and quantitative part. Six factors derived from interviews with users formed the basis of the instrument: (1) Support of Learners’ Initiatives; (2) Support of Information Searches; (3) Support of Interaction; (4) Relationship with Fellow Students; (5) Relationship with Teacher Educators; and (6) Relationship with SLS Staff. Once developed, the questionnaire was responded to by 186 students. Analysis of the data supported five out of six factors.     

Inclusion: Culture,Policy and Practice: A Queensland Perspective

Schools are currently undergoing a process of reconstructed educational thinking and practice in Queensland. They are being challenged to review their organisational structures, the curriculum they teach and their pedagogical practices with the intention of transforming their structures, curriculum and pedagogies to ensure that all students are truly included in the school community. This paper reviews the background research that has informed the inclusion movement and the role schools play in developing inclusive education and outlines the specific initiatives that have been undertaken in Queensland, Australia.     

The Schooling Experience of Adolescent Boys with AD/HD: An Australian Case Study

This study explored the experience of schooling of six adolescent boys diagnosed with AD/HD from the perspectives of the boys, their mothers and their teachers. The study utilised social constructionism as the theoretical orientation and the Dynamic Developmental Theory (DDT) of AD/HD as the explanatory framework. Utilising a multiple, instrumental case-study, data were collected by means of semi-structured individual and focus group interviews as well as a review of school reports across a two year period. Findings of the study suggest that taking medication as prescribed together with supporting the students to make and manage friendships, utilising classroom strategies that support learning, and providing an engaging classroom environment are important considerations to promote a positive schooling experience for adolescents with AD/HD.     

Experiential learning and values education at a school youth camp: Maintaining Jewish culture and heritage

In our post-modern, globalised world, there is a risk of unique cultural heritages being lost. This loss contributes to the detriment of civilization, because individuals need to be rooted in their own specific identity in order to actively participate in community life. This article discusses a longitudinal case study of the efforts being made by Australian Jewish schools to maintain Jewish heritage through annual experiential religious education camps, coordinated in a programme called Counterpoint. The researchers’ aim was to analyse how a school youth camp can serve as a site for socialisation and education into a cultural and religious heritage through experiential learning and informal education. During research trips which took place over several years, interviews enabling insights into the process of experiential education were conducted with a total of three different Directors of Informal Jewish Education, two Jewish Studies heads, five participating teachers, seven youth leaders, as well as seven student focus groups. In their analysis of the semi-structured interviews, the authors of this article employed a grounded theory approach using a constant comparative method, which enabled a more nuanced understanding of the main phenomenon investigated. Over the years, they were able to observe two philosophical approaches, one of which focused more on socialisation, with immersion into experience, while the other focused on education, with immersion into Jewish knowledge. Their findings reveal that some educators aim to “transmit” knowledge through “evocation”, with the students involved in active learning; while others focus more on students’ “acquisition” of knowledge through transmission. Experiential learning activities were found to be more meaningful and powerful if they combined both approaches, leading to growth.     

The Conceptual Framework for the Development of a Mathematics Performance Assessment Instrument

How can you align instruction, learning, and assessment in an educationally sound way? How can you define and measure competence in mathematics? What areas of competence do you need to specify and how? How can one evaluate the validity and consequences of using a particular assessment instrument or technique?     

Emotional Dimensions of Watching Zoo Animals: An Experience Sampling Study Building on Insights from Psychology

Abstract There is little research about how visitors to zoos and aquariums respond emotionally to the animals they experience. The research that does exist has seldom been informed by current psychological literature on affect, which examines the nature and roles of sentiments, moods, emotions, and affective traits. Emotion is multidimensional: it focuses on a person's core goals; directs attention and interest; arouses the body for action; and integrates social group and cultural factors. It is thus a central component of meaning‐making. This article provides an overview of the literature on emotion as it applies to human emotional responses to animals. Informed by this literature, this paper presents results from a research study conducted at a zoo. Subjects (279 adults) were each electronically paged once while viewing one of three zoo animals (snake, okapi, or gorilla). Subjects completed scales on 17 specific emotions, seven items measuring evaluation and arousal, and other scales and responses to the animal. Four patterns of emotions emerged, ranging from “equal opportunity” emotions to “highly selective” emotions. The variables that were most important in influencing emotions were not demographic ones, but the kind of animal, subject's emotionality, relation to the animal, and other items predicted by emotion theory. Implications for biophilia, conservation, and the study of emotional responses to animals are discussed.     

Preschool teachers' and students' attitudes towards playful preschool activities: a cross-cultural comparison between Germany and the Netherlands

This study compares the attitudes of preschool teachers and students between the Netherlands and Germany towards typical play activities in preschool. The data were responses to short video clips of preschool children's play and elicited the respondents’ attitudes through questionnaires. The data were analysed by classifying the written responses into four categories. The frequencies of the categories were tested with MANOVA with regard to expert–novice position and country. Differences between professionals and novices were found, and for professionals only, the four categories were interrelated, showing a stronger holistic view of early childhood activities. Differences were also found between the countries, and two of the categories seemed especially sensitive to cultural differences. We discuss how reflection on activities can add to a higher degree of professionalism, as well as a more profound understanding of ways to improve preschool teacher training.