Measuring the complexity of upper primary school children’s self-regulated learning: A multi-component approach

Balancing theoretical and practical issues in the measurement of SRL remains a challenge. This is especially the case for large-scale studies among primary school children’s SRL. In this respect, the present study describes the development and validation of the Children’s Perceived use of Self-Regulated Learning Inventory (CP-SRLI) consisting of nine components. A multistep process was used to develop the questionnaire, including reviews by a teacher and expert panel, cognitive interviews with upper primary school children, and a large-scale administration. The original 109-item questionnaire was then presented to 504 fifth and 463 sixth graders (sample 1). Subsequent to exploratory factor analyses on each component, the factor structure of each component was confirmed by confirmatory factor analyses using an independent second sample (409 fifth and 314 sixth graders), leading to a questionnaire of 75 items. Further, the factor structure of the different components is found to be invariant across boys and girls. The implications of the results and potential avenues for future research are presented and discussed.     

Conceptualization of the writing system and knowing how to use a children’s book at preschool age as predictors of reading and writing acquisition in the first year of primary school: A comparative study between France and Germany

The aim of this study is to validate (in a socio-constructivist perspective) the relevance of preschool internal predictors regarding reading and writing acquisition in the first year of primary school. This longitudinal study is also a comparative study between the educational systems in France and Germany. Information for the study was collected among 170 children of preschool age. 110 of these children were interviewed a second time in their first year at primary school. Half of these children were French and the other half German. The two groups were matched according to social background, sex and the teaching method used in primary school. The children in both age groups were interviewed individually to assess their reading and writing abilities. The results show a definite interindividual heterogeneity in reading and writing skills as from preschool age. The difference in levels is even more marked in the first year of primary school. This development in a child’s knowledge of reading and writing is closely related to the educational context in which he or she grows up.     

L'enseignant français et ses problemes

Sans résumé     

残疾人奥林匹克运动中的运动科学研究

The vision of the International Paralympic Committee(IPC) is "To Enable Paralympic Athletes to Achieve Sport-ing Excellence and Inspire and Excite the World" .This ambi-tious vision remains the keystone to the success of the Para-lympic Games and IPC sanc…     

Assessment of muscle fatigue after an ultra-endurance triathlon using tensiomyography (TMG)

In this study, we used tensiomyography (TMG) to assess muscle status immediately after an ultra-endurance triathlon. Maximal radial displacement or deformation of the muscle belly, contraction time, delay time, sustain time, and relaxation time were measured for both legs, and dependent t-tests were used to compare means between the beginning and end of the race. The 19 men assessed (age 37.9 ± 7.1 years; height 177.5 ± 4.6 cm; weight: 73.6 ± 6.5 kg) participated in the 2009 edition of the Lanzarote Ironman. Deterioration in the neural response was observed for contraction time (P = 0.008) and relaxation time (P = 0.011), with a moderate decrease in the response time (sustain time) and a loss in muscle stiffness (deformation of the muscle belly). The effect of muscle fatigue on the rectus femoris and biceps femoris was different. Barely any changes in contraction time, relaxation time, sustain time, and deformation of the muscle belly were observed, while only the contraction response time decreased to a significant extent (reduction in delay time; P = 0.003). The considerable loss in contractile capacity induced by a long-distance race was reflected in changes in the neuromuscular response and fluctuations in the contractile capacity of the muscle. These modifications, derived from a prolonged, exhausting effort, can be assessed in a simple, non-aggressive, non-invasive way using tensiomyography.     

The Validity and Reliability of Assessments and Self‐assessments of Work‐based Learning

Recent developments in British higher education have included taking a close look at work‐based learning, in particular its assessment (and its integration within academic programmes of study). However, two questions which are still continuously being asked are (a) to what extent are assessments of work‐based learning valid and reliable, and (b) can they count towards the award of university degrees and diplomas? These questions are becoming increasingly important as there seems to be a growing trend for students to assess their own learning at the workplace (through reflection and analysis and the use of diaries and self‐development journals). This article addresses the above issues by drawing on classical test theory (for an understanding of the fundamentals of validity and reliability) and by examining how the different notions of validity and realiability may be applied in the context of assessments (and self‐assessments) in the workplace. The article concludes that, under certain stated conditions, it is indeed possible to determine whether assessments (and self‐assessments) of work‐based learning are valid, reliable — and comparable.     

Assessing Fit in Structural Equation Models: A Monte-Carlo Evaluation of RMSEA Versus SRMR Confidence Intervals and Tests of Close Fit

We compare the accuracy of confidence intervals (CIs) and tests of close fit based on the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) with those based on the standardized root mean square residual (SRMR). Investigations used normal and nonnormal data with models ranging from p = 10 to 60 observed variables. CIs and tests of close fit based on the SRMR are generally accurate across all conditions (even at p = 60 with nonnormal data). In contrast, CIs and tests of close fit based on the RMSEA are only accurate in small models. In larger models (p ≥ 30), they incorrectly suggest that models do not fit closely, particularly if sample size is less than 500.