Executive functioning, metacognition, and self-perceived competence in elementary school children: an explorative study on their interrelations and their role for school achievement

In the present study, associations between executive functioning, metacognition, and self-perceived competence in the context of early academic outcomes were examined. A total of 209 children attending first grade were initially assessed in terms of their executive functioning and academic self-concept. One year later, children??s executive functioning, academic self-concept, metacognitive monitoring and control, as well as their achievement in mathematics and literacy were evaluated. Structural equation modeling revealed that executive functioning was significantly related to metacognitive control, both cross-sectionally and longitudinally, and that self-concept was substantially associated with metacognitive monitoring, both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Individual differences in executive functioning and metacognitive control were significantly related to academic outcomes, with metacognitive control appearing to yield a more circumscribed influence on academic outcomes (only literacy) compared to executive functioning (literacy and mathematics).     

Factors influencing school connectedness: Chinese adolescents’ perspectives

This study explored the concept of school connectedness and the factors that may influence its development with a sample of Chinese adolescents. Six focus groups involving 52 high school students were conducted using a set of predetermined discussion topics. Results indicated that the students fully understood the notion of school connectedness and could identify a number of key influences affecting its development. These factors could be grouped under several domains including teacher care, peer relations, broader school relationships, school disciplinary policies and practices, activities within the school’s guidance and counseling program, and opportunities for talent development. The students were also able to suggest practical strategies that schools might introduce to enhance and strengthen students’ acquisition of connectedness to school. The implications from the findings are discussed with particular reference to implementing comprehensive school guidance and counseling program in Hong Kong.     

The relationship of organizational corruption with organizational culture, attitude towards work and work ethics: a search on Turkish high school teachers

The aim of this study is to analyse organizational corruption and to determine its level of relation to attitude towards work, work ethics and organizational culture. The data in study have been collected from 441 public high school teachers employed in the central districts of Ankara in the school year of 2008–2009. Data have been collected through ‘Scale for Organizational Corruption’, ‘Scale for Attitude towards Work’, ‘Scale for Work Ethics’ and ‘Scale for Organizational Culture’, all of which were developed by the researchers in this study. Correlation and regression analysis techniques have been used in analysing the data. It is concluded from the study that there is a significant, though at an average level, relation between organizational corruption, organizational culture and work ethics and that there is a negative significant relation, though at a low level, between organizational corruption and attitude towards work. It is also concluded that the variables for attitude towards work, work ethics and organizational culture explain 38% of the variation in organizational corruption.     

基于网络的大学英语自主学习能力培养探析

基于网络的自主学习模式是大学英语改革的重要方向和目标,而如何提高学生大学英语自主学习能力成为事关改革成败的关键因素之一。本文首先从自主学习的概念界定及基本内涵出发,对影响自主学习的要素进行了综述和总结。在综合各家所言的基础上,明确提出培养学生基于网络的大学英语自主学习能力应从外部要素和内部要素两个方面入手,具体措施包括:确立有利于学生自主学习的教学模式;转变教师的教学观念;改变传统的评估方式;构建良好的大学英语自主学习环境;培养学生的自我效能感;加强对学生语言学习观和学习策略的指导和培训等。     

互联网“人肉搜索”初探

随着Internet技术的发展和普及。人肉搜索作为一种新的互联网搜索技术在网民中受到追捧。这是一种快速的交互式信息传播方式,拥有广泛的参与主体,具有虚拟平等性,其初衷是助人为乐、还原真相、除恶扬善。虽然人肉搜索切实帮助许多老百姓解决了生活中的问题,也惩罚了某些社会不良行为,然而在现有相关法律相对滞后的情况下,由于网络及人内搜索自身的特性,它也带来了侵犯隐私、网络群体暴力等问题。     

Load-carrying capacity and practical calculation method for hollow cylinder joints connected with H-shaped beams

A type of hollow cylinder joints connected with H-shaped beams is proposed for spatial structures. Based on von Mises yield criterion and perfect elasto-plasticity model, a series of finite element models of the joints is established, in which the effect of geometric nonlinearity is taken into account. Then mechanical behavior and load-carrying capacity of the joints were investigated, which were subjected to axial load, in- and out-plane bending moments, and their combinations. The results show that the ultimate loads of the joints are determined by the maximum displacement. Furthermore, the case of one joint connected with multiple beams was discussed. Experiments on a set of typical full-scale joints were conducted to understand the structural behavior and the failure mechanism of joint, and also to validate the finite element models. Finally, the practical calculation method was established through finite elements analysis (FEA) results and numerical fitting. The results show that the joints are more ductile and materially economical than welded hollow spherical joints, and the practical calculation method can provide a reference for direct design and the revision of relevant design codes.     

Stress intensity factors under combined bending and torsion moments

This paper discusses stress intensity factor (SIF) calculations for surface cracks in round bars subjected to combined torsion and bending loadings. Different crack aspect ratios, a/b, ranging from 0.0 to 1.2 and relative crack depths, a/D, ranging from 0.1 to 0.6 were considered. Since the loading was non-symmetrical for torsion loadings, a whole finite element model was constructed. Then, the individual and combined bending and torsion loadings were remotely applied to the model. The equivalent SIF method, F*_EQ, was then used explicitly to combine the individual SIFs from the bending and torsion loadings. A comparison was then carried out with the combined SIF, F*_FE, obtained using the finite element analysis (FEA) under similar loadings. It was found that the equivalent SIF method successfully predicted the combined SIF for Mode I. However, discrepancies between the results determined from the different approaches occurred when F _III was involved. It was also noted that the predicted F*_FE using FEA was higher than the F*_EQ predicted through the equivalent SIF method due to the difference in crack face interactions.