The shuffling of mathematics problems improves learning

In most mathematics textbooks, each set of practice problems is comprised almost entirely of problems corresponding to the immediately previous lesson. By contrast, in a small number of textbooks, the practice problems are systematically shuffled so that each practice set includes a variety of problems drawn from many previous lessons. The standard and shuffled formats differ in two critical ways, and each was the focus of an experiment reported here. In Experiment 1, college students learned to solve one kind of problem, and subsequent practice problems were either massed in a single session (as in the standard format) or spaced across multiple sessions (as in the shuffled format). When tested 1 week later, performance was much greater after spaced practice. In Experiment 2, students first learned to solve multiple types of problems, and practice problems were either blocked by type (as in the standard format) or randomly mixed (as in the shuffled format). When tested 1 week later, performance was vastly superior after mixed practice. Thus, the results of both experiments favored the shuffled format over the standard format.     

An analysis of the relationship between the linear hammer speed and the thrower applied forces during the hammer throw for male and female throwers

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the cable force and linear hammer speed in the hammer throw and to identify how the magnitude and direction of the cable force affects the fluctuations in linear hammer speed. Five male (height: 1.88 ± 0.06 m; body mass: 106.23 ± 4.83 kg) and five female (height: 1.69 ± 0.05 m; body mass: 101.60 ± 20.92 kg) throwers participated and were required to perform 10 throws each. The hammer's linear velocity and the cable force and its tangential component were calculated via hammer head positional data. As expected, a strong correlation was observed between decreases in the linear hammer speed and decreases in the cable force (normalised for hammer weight). A strong correlation was also found to exist between the angle by which the cable force lags the radius of rotation at its maximum (when tangential force is at its most negative) and the size of the decreases in hammer speed. These findings indicate that the most effective way to minimise the effect of the negative tangential force is to reduce the size of the lag angle.     

Interleaving Helps Students Distinguish among Similar Concepts

When students encounter a set of concepts (or terms or principles) that are similar in some way, they often confuse one with another. For instance, they might mistake one word for another word with a similar spelling (e.g., allusion instead of illusion) or choose the wrong strategy for a mathematics problem because it resembles a different kind of problem. By one proposition explored in this review, these kinds of errors occur more frequently when all exposures to one of the concepts are grouped together. For instance, in most middle school science texts, the questions in each assignment are devoted to the same concept, and this blocking of exposures ensures that students need not learn to distinguish between two similar concepts. In an alternative approach described in this review, exposures to each concept are interleaved with exposures to other concepts, so that a question on one concept is followed by a question on a different concept. In a number of experiments that have compared interleaving and blocking, interleaving produced better scores on final tests of learning. The evidence is limited, though, and ecologically valid studies are needed. Still, a prudent reading of the data suggests that at least a portion of the exposures should be interleaved.     

The issue at a glance

The issue at a glance     

Axiology,the Subject and the Chair

Research in Science Education - This article addresses two gaps in the literature related to science department chairs: the axiological relationship between the chair and science, the subject, and...     

New Media

WIRED CITIES: SHAPING THE FUTURE OF COMMUNICATIONS edited by William H. Dutton, et al. (Boston: G.K. Hall, 1987—$45.00, with a paperback also available)

TOMORROW'S TVs: A REVIEW OF NEW TV SET TECHNOLOGY, RELATED VIDEO EQUIPMENT AND POTENTIAL MARKET IMPACTS, 1987–1995 by Gary H. Arlen (National Association of Broadcasters, 1771 N. St NW, Washington, DC 20036—$49.95 but $24.95 to NAB and BEA members, paper)

THE VIDEOTEX AND TELETEXT HANDBOOK: HOME AND OFFICE COMMUNICATIONS USING MICROCOMPUTERS AND TERMINALS by Paul Hurly, et al . (New York: Harper & Row, 1985—$21.95, paper)

TELEGUIDE: A HANDBOOK ON VIDEO-TELECONFERENCING by Doug Widner (Public Service Satellite Consortium, 600 Maryland Ave. SW, Suite 220, Washington, DC 20024—$49.95, paper; half that to PSSC members)

COMPUTERS IN VIDEO PRODUCTION by Lon McQuillin (White Plains, NY: Knowledge Industry Publications, 1986—$39.95)     

A Competency-Based Approach to Secondary Student Teaching in Physical Education

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a competency-based approach to secondary student teaching in physical education. Secondary physical education student teachers (N = 7) were observed along with one class of students from each teacher's assignment during baseline and intervention conditions. Seven categories of teacher behavior and two categories of student behavior were observed with an interobserver reliability of 94%. Behaviors were observed by event and placheck recording procedures and were converted to rates per minute and percentages. These rates per minute and percentages were analyzed by behavior profiles and a multiple baseline design. Teacher behaviors included positive reactions to on-task behavior, negative reactions to off-task behavior, positive instructional feedback both general and specific, corrective instructional feedback both general and specific, and pupil contacts using the pupil's first name. The student behaviors included appropriate/inappropriate behavior and active/inactive behavior. Intervention consisted of a competency-based learning module, instructions, graphic feedback, cuing, reinforcement, weekly goals, and terminal goals. The module contained specific definitions of the behaviors, examples of when to emit the behaviors, baseline means for the behaviors, and a final, terminal goal for each behavior. Results indicated that the intervention strategy appeared to have a large positive effect on the following teacher behaviors: positive general feedback, positive specific feedback, specific corrective feedback, and the use of pupil's first names. Smaller increases occurred in the categories of positive reactions to on-task pupil behavior and general corrective feedback. A small decrease occurred in the negative reactions to off-task pupil behavior. Both categories of pupil behavior showed a small increase in the desired direction. Based on these results and the limits of the study, the data-based observation system combined with the competency-based format appeared to exert a measure of accountable control over the behavior of seven teachers and the behavior of their classes.     

Social Networking as an Admission Tool: A Case Study in Success

The concept of social networking, the focus of this article, targets the development of online communities in higher education, and in particular, as part of the admission process. A successful case study of a university is presented on how one university has used this tool to compete for students. A discussion including suggestions on how to enhance the success of this tool in your recruitment process is also provided.     

Pedagogical influence of interaction with cooperating teachers on the efficacy beliefs of student teachers

Abstract

Cooperating teachers are often identified as some of the most important figures in the preparation of new teachers, and the reasons are not difficult to understand. Surprisingly, however, very little research has been conducted to quantify the effects of cooperating teachers on student teachers. This study examines the impact of student teachers' perceived interactions with their cooperating teachers and the influence that interaction has on student teachers' self‐efficacy for teaching. Results indicate a moderate correlation between perceptions of teaching efficacy and cooperating teacher‐student teacher interactions. Differences were found in the frequency of interaction based on the certification level of the student teacher, with elementary level student teachers perceiving a greater amount of interaction with their cooperating teachers. However, no differences based on certification level were detected in perceived efficacy. Student teachers' perceptions of the level of guidance offered by their cooperating teachers provided the most reliable predictor for their efficacy belief.     

Beyond Exposure to Collaboration: Preparing General-Education Teacher Candidates for Inclusive Practice

Preparation of new teachers to work effectively in inclusion settings has not kept pace with demands created by recent reforms. General-education candidates typically receive limited exposure to inclusion strategies at the preservice level, and often their only meaningful preparation comes in the practicum setting. The purpose of this article was to examine the manner in which characteristics of cooperating teachers and the practicum settings affected efficacy for teaching students with disabilities. General-education student teachers responded to questionnaires about their collaboration with cooperating teachers, the focus on inclusion instruction in their practicum setting, and their efficacy for providing inclusion instruction. Results from a structural equation model indicated that efficacy is predicted both by focus and by collaboration with the cooperating teacher. Discussion focuses on implications for teacher preparation and directions for future research.