The challenge of basic education for all

UNICEF Representative in China. Author of several books and articles ou non-formal education, rural development and educational planning.     

Views of Omani post-basic education students about religious and cultural tolerance

The study aims to investigate the views of Omani post-basic education students (Grades 10–12) about religious and cultural tolerance. The sample consisted of 1390 male and female students in grades 10, 11 and 12, from four of Oman’s seven regions. A questionnaire was used to gather data, which consisted of 27 items divided into five domains. The results showed that students place a strong emphasis on the importance of religious and cultural tolerance, both within Oman society and worldwide. They are also not in favour of any type of aggression, religious and cultural symbols or the fuelling of disagreements between religions or cultures. The results also indicated that female students are more strongly concerned with tolerance than males, grade 12 students more concerned than those in grades 10 and 11, and students from Muscat more concerned than those in other less urban areas.     

Principals' and teachers' attitudes and knowledge of inclusive education as predictors of effective teaching practices in Ghana

Surveys and observations were undertaken in selected primary schools in Ghana to determine whether principals' and teachers' attitudes towards and knowledge of inclusive education, as well as principals' expectations of teachers in implementing inclusion, were predictors of effective teaching practices in their classrooms. The sample of 128 educators (20 principals and 108 teachers) drawn from 20 primary schools in two districts, were required to respond to questionnaire measures of Attitude Towards Inclusive Education Scale (ATIES), Knowledge of Inclusive Education Scale (KIES) and Principals' Expectations Scale (PES). Of the total number of teachers ( N  = 108), 37 were observed during instructional delivery in their classrooms. The data were analysed by a variety of statistical procedures including Regression Analysis and Discriminant Function Analysis. In the context of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (Ajzen, 1985), the results showed that whilst attitudes towards inclusion (attitude element) and knowledge of inclusion (perceived behavioural control element) predicted effective teaching practices, principals' expectations (subjective norm) did not. Implications for the implementation of effective inclusive practices in Ghanaian schools and the need for future research are discussed.     

蠕变条件下完整岩石的起裂和扩展准则

The mechanism and criterion of crack initiation and propagation of rocks were investigated by many researchers,And the creep behaviour of rocks was also theoretically and experimentally studied by some scientists and engineers.The characteristics of crack initation and propagation of rocks under creep condition.however,are very improtant for rock engineering and still not paid enough attention by researchers,In this paper,the criterion and mechanism of crack initiation and propagation under creep condition were investigated using specimens collected from sandstone rock formations outcropping in the Emei Mountain,the Sichuan Province of China.Cuboid specimens under three point bending were used in this investigation.All specimens were classified into four sorts and used for Mode-I fracutre of creep frcture tests.The experimental result shows that due to creep deformation.rock crack will inevitably initialt and propagate under a load of KI,which is less than fracture toughness KIC but not less than a constant(marked as KIC2),KIC2 indicates the ability of rock to resist crack initiation and propagation under creep conditions and is less than fracture tough ness KIC.defined as creep fracture toughness in this paper,KIC2 should be considered as an importnat parameter on design and computation of rock engineering.The microstructureal mechanism for crack initiation and propagation of rock materials under creep condition was introduced based on competitive model between softening effect and hardening effect,and the validity of test result was explained.The test result was also verified in rheological theory.When KI is more than KIC2 but less than KIC,rock crack will initiate and propagate after a time interval of sustained loading under creep condition.In order to find the relation between duration of sustained lading.which can lead to crack initiation and propagation,and the initial stress intensity factor KI,an unequal0interval time sequence forecasting and predicting model was introduced,and the relation was obtained for homogeneous and isotropic fine-grained red sandstone.Finally a modified fracture toughness formula was given,in which the influence of fracture process zone(FPZ) was fully considered.     

The Relationship between Students’ Characteristics and Their Impressions of Online Courses

This study explored relationship between students’ conscientiousness and motivation, their impressions of the online environment, and their learning. Also examined were relationships between their impressions of the online environment and their sense of community and their interactions with others. Questionnaires were completed by 84 students at a private college. Students who were more conscientious and intrinsically motivated had more favorable impressions of online courses. They were engaged, and perceived value in the course, and were less anxious or frustrated when taking online courses. Those students who perceived a sense of community, or social presence, also had more favorable impressions. These relationships and their implications are discussed.