Improvement of orthography test performance by relaxation exercises: results of a controlled field experiment in basic secondary education

The effects of relaxation exercises on orthography performance in language arts education of fifth to seventh graders were experimentally tested. Participants were 399 basic secondary school students and their language arts teachers from the Hauptschule, a German type of secondary education covering grades five to nine that leads to a basic educational degree. Half of the students were trained in their classrooms in the basic autogenic training (AT) formulas (self‐suggestions of passive self‐attention, heaviness and warmth) and in the technique of reactivation after relaxation. After completing a regular dictation test students applied the relaxation exercise for four minutes on their own and were then given the opportunity to reread what they had written and to correct any mistakes they found on the test. In comparison to 200 students in the control group (who were not trained in the systematic relaxation exercises), who were also given the opportunity to revise their texts after a four‐minute break, the experimental group students made significantly fewer mistakes and received better grades on the test. In addition, the results show that there were significantly fewer correct revisions and significantly more incorrect revisions of the dictation tests made by the students in the control group, thus worsening their academic performance by the possibility of ‘self‐correction’. Students and teachers evaluated AT exercises positively. Implications of the results for the application of AT in the classroom are discussed.     

大学英语口语机考实证研究

通过计算机辅助口语测试和面试的相关性研究,探讨计算机辅助口语测试与面试的可替代性,同时结合问卷调查,了解学生对计算机辅助口语测试的态度、影响口语测试的因素。研究结果表明,计算机辅助口语测试和面试的成绩显著相关,两者具有可替代性;大多数学生认同计算机辅助口语测试这一形式;影响口语测试的主要因素是题目和材料的熟悉程度。     

从词汇联想测试看低层次EFL学习者心理词汇之间的联系

本研究旨在通过词汇联想测试来探究低层次EFL（英语作为外语）学习者心理词汇之间的联系、表征特征及其组织形式,以期揭示出英语词汇习得的规律,进而帮助低层次EFL学习者更科学、更合理地提高词汇学习和词汇习得的效率。研究发现,受试者心理词汇的存储模式呈现出＂横组合＂与＂纵聚合＂的联想关系,并且从总体上来说,低层次EFL学习者心理词汇依照＂横组合＂关系存储的数量要多于依照＂纵聚合＂关系来存储的数量;同时,研究结果并不支持＂中国EFL学习者心理词汇之间的联系主要是语音的＂这一说法。     

A Study in Correlation of Allied English Abilities

ABSTRACT

The authors explored teachers' and principals’ perceptions of the feedback report from the National Tests in Trinidad and Tobago and the extent to which they used the report in making curricular decisions to impact student learning. The sample comprised 133 primary school teachers (79 from low-performing and 54 from high-performing schools) and 10 principals. Results of the quantitative and qualitative data indicated that while many teachers were uncomfortable with interpreting the data presented in the report, teachers in higher performing schools were more inclined through department-wide collaboration to use the report to make pedagogical and curricular decisions. The major conclusion drawn was the need for teacher training in the use and interpretation of assessment data. Other issues emerging from the data and a possible subject for further research included the branding of schools as good schools and bad schools based on the school performance on the tests.     

Development of a Three-Tier Test to Assess Misconceptions About Simple Electric Circuits

ABSTRACT

The authors aimed to propose a valid and reliable diagnostic instrument by developing a three-tier test on simple electric circuits. Based on findings from the interviews, open-ended questions, and the related literature, the test was developed and administered to 124 high school students. In addition to some qualitative techniques for establishing the validity, some quantitative techniques were also used. Consequently, Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient was estimated for the test as .69, and results revealed that the test scores could be a valid and reliable measure of students’ qualitative understanding of simple electric circuits.     

Description of a Low Cost Microcomputer System Interfaced to Exercise Stress Testing Equipment

Abstract

In recent years the classic Margaria step-test for anaerobic power has been largely replaced by bicycle ergometer tests, the most popular of these being the Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT). The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the WAnT and sprint-run times and to determine the influence of age and weight on the WAnT scores. The 56 male volunteers (age 10–15 years) recruited from a track club and junior high school represented a wide range of athletic abilities. Subjects were tested for anaerobic power (5 sec output) and capacity (30 sec output) using the Wingate test procedures. Wingate scores for anaerobic power and capacity were only moderately correlated with 50 yd dash times (r = ?.53 and ?.53) and with the 600 yd run (r = ?.26 and ?.29). Partial correlations between these variables were lower when age adjusted and higher when adjusted for body weight. Results of this study indicate that the Wingate anaerobic test is only a moderate predictor of dash or run times, but becomes a stronger predictor when WAnT scores are adjusted for body weight. The high correlation of the WAnT with body weight must be taken into account when comparing the anaerobic capacity of individuals. The standing long jump would be the preferred field test of sprint-related ability because of its simplicity, but the Wingate lest has the advantage of providing a quantitative measurement of anaerobic fitness.     

Evaluation of Criteria Associated with Abdominal Fitness Testing

Abstract

The continued use of the timed sit-up as a measure of abdominal fitness has been challenged. This study complements earlier work by evaluating a new modified curl-up test (CUT) against a standardized modified sit-up test (SUT). Results show that there is almost 60% unexplained variance between SUT and CUT scores for young, active adults. The lack of association between SUT and CUT is attributed to predetermined differences in dynamic abdominal and hip flexor muscle activity and active range of motion differences in trunk flexion between each test. In addition, angular displacement of the trunk is greater for women than men in CUT. Evidence from this study provides further support for the use of CUT as an alternative to SUT in abdominal fitness testing.     

Teaching Hygiene Visually

Abstract

We analyzed data from the National School Population Fitness Survey (Reiff et al., 1986) and data collected by the authors of the original study to assess the fitness of American children and youth based on the results of additional analyses. We then compared the numbers of children and youth meeting norm-referenced standards to numbers meeting recently adopted criterion-referenced health (CRH) standards for individual test items in the Fitnessgram (Institute for Aerobics Research, 1987) and AAHPERD Physical Best (AAHPERD, 1988) test batteries. The number of children and youth meeting CRH standards for multiple items in a test battery was also determined. Finally, data were analyzed to determine if changes in fitness have occurred among American children and youth over recent decades. Our results suggest that, with the exception of measures of arm and shoulder girdle strength!endurance, more children and youth meet criterion-referenced health standards than norm-referenced standards (50th percentile) and the majority of American children and youth meet CRH standards for individual test items. However, the majority of American children and youth cannot meet the CRH standards for a battery of items for either of the two batteries studied. A second look at decade to decade comparisons of fitness produced evidence that questions the idea that youth are less fit now than in previous years.     

“The system shows us how bad it feels”: special educational needs assessment in North Rhine-Westphalia,Germany

ABSTRACT

In the context of the North Rhine-Westphalian school reform towards an inclusive education system, this article problematises the practice of categorisation. Our research aims to investigate the assessment of special educational needs (SEN) and thereby enrich the discussion of the relation between inclusion and diagnostics. For this study, we interviewed 14 SEN investigators and five decision-makers. We discuss the results on the basis of a qualitative content analysis and against the background of Fleck’s concept of thought styles. We mainly found inertia in special education traditions, expressed in the use of intelligence tests, the dominance of SEN teachers in the assessment process and the lack of participation of parents and pupils. We conclude that it is necessary to reform the SEN assessment rules. At the same time, we see major challenges in transforming existing thought styles into a more flexible and decategorising approach.