Variation among schools on classroom practices in science based on TIMSS‐1999 in Turkey

The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences among schools using student responses in the Trends in Mathematics and Science Study–1999 (TIMSS‐99) data. Schools were classified into two groups based on eighth grade students' overall achievement in science. Two different discriminant function analyses were performed to distinguish high‐ and low‐performing schools, based both on classroom practices and factor structures (student‐centered activities, teacher‐centered activities, attitudes toward technology use, socioeconomic status [SES], and doing well in science). The results indicate that there were significant differences between the two classifications of schools on ten variables regarding classroom practices and activities, and 29 variables regarding classroom practices, attitudes toward science, use of the computer and overhead projector (OHP), parental background characteristics, and need to do well in science. Contrary to general expectations, technology use (computer, OHP, etc.) was found to be negatively related to science achievement. Teachers should be trained on how to use technology in their classrooms. Turkey recently revised its curriculum to a student‐centered approach and this might increase students' ability to transfer knowledge into real life. Teachers and schools should pay more attention to SES effects. Teachers should also work toward building students' confidence in science. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 44: 1417–1435, 2007     

Investigating the effects of multimedia input modality on L2 listening skills of Turkish EFL learners

The present study examined whether or not different input delivery modes have an effect on listening comprehension of Turkish students learning English at the university level. It investigated the effect of one single mode, which is audio-only, and three dual input delivery modes, which were audio-video, audio-video with target language subtitles and audio with PowerPoint presentation, on listening comprehension. The data have been gathered through: a listening proficiency exam, a topic familiarity questionnaire, listening comprehension tests, think-aloud protocols and a semi-structured focus group interview. Analysis of data demonstrated that the students’ listening comprehension scores were significantly lower in audio-video with subtitles mode. In addition to this, the students stated that they experienced most confusion and anxiety in understanding through audio-video with subtitles. Moreover, the students mentioned that they were most successful in the audio with PowerPoint presentation mode. Results also indicated that the students were influenced by their pre-university listening class experiences, meaning that they were most accustomed to the audio-only mode, and therefore felt most relaxed when they listened only.     

Open-field behavior of wild and domestic Norway rats

The open-field behavior of wild and domestic Norway rats was compared in 15-min tests administered over 5 successive days. Wild rats exhibited more ambulation, jumping, grooming, and time inactive than domestic rats and spent more time along the arena wall. Within- and between-trial changes in behavior were generally greater for wild rats. Factor analyses revealed major loadings on factors identified as “locomotor behavior” and “grooming.” Support was obtained for the hypothesis that domestication has raised the threshold for avoidance-escape behavior in response to a novel environment.     

对爱因斯坦相对论的改正

在审查相对论质速关系的基础上 ,提出了对相对论的改正方案 ,建立了一种全新的理论。新理论克服了相对论的缺陷。应用已有的实验数据对结论进行了必要的检验 ,给出了宇宙学和科研生产实践中的证据     

A study of serum lipid profile part-1: Establishment of normal reference values of serum lipid levels in healthy vegetarian population of Gujarat

Fasting samples of 1329 apparently healthy vegetarian Gujarati population were tested for total cholesterol, triglycerides and three major fractions of lipoproteins, i.e. high density lipoproteins, low density lipoproteins and very low density lipoproteins. All the values showed marked increase with the age. Except for serum triglycerides, values differ in males and females in the age group of above 45 years. Compared to Northern Indian population low density lipoprotein and high density lipoprotein values were higher, but values of triglycerides and very low density lipoproteins were lower. There is no significant difference in total cholesterol values. Compared to Southern Indian population low density lipoprotein and very low density lipoprotein values were higher but values of triglycerides, total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein were lower. All serum lipid values were significantly lower than the Westem population. The range of values for both the sexes is presented for different age groups.     

Incidence of violence in Turkish schools: A review

The present article deals with the incidence of violence cases inTurkish schools. A review of research based on published research reports andunpublished M.Sc. and Ph.D. dissertations is presented and basic lines of researchare discussed. Special emphasis was placed upon culturally specific issues,besides the culturally determined attitudes of parents and teachers. The need for anationwide system for the prevention of violence and corporal punishment wasemphasized.     

A cross-linguistic comparison of phonological awareness and word recognition

Phonological awareness is one of the critical skills in the acquisition of reading in an alphabetic orthography. The development of phonological awareness was compared across Turkish and English-speaking kindergarten and first-grade children (n = 138). The Turkish-speakers were more proficient in both handling of the syllables and deleting final phonemes of words. These patterns were related to the characteristics of the respective spoken languages (such as the saliency of the syllable, familiarity of the nonword patterns, importance of onset or final phoneme deletion, importance of vowel harmony) and the development of phonological awareness was discussed as a function of the characteristics of spoken language, orthography and literacy instruction.