Play to win! Using games in library instruction to enhance student learning

Research has shown that educational games can have positive impacts on student learning and motivation. The success of a game played in a library instruction class depends on the type of game selected, the development of learning outcomes, and the flexibility of the librarian during class. This article explains the benefits to students and librarians of using games, discusses the development and use of a Jeopardy-style game, and provides practical tips for librarians interested in developing and incorporating games into one-time library instruction sessions.     

Is academic tracking related to gains in learning competence? Using propensity score matching and differential item change functioning analysis for better understanding of tracking implications

This study analyzes gains in cognitive components of learning competence with respect to cohorts based on ability tracking in a Czech longitudinal study. Propensity score matching is used to form parallelized samples of academic and non-academic track students and to eliminate the effect of selective school intake. We applied regression models on the total scores to test for the overall track effect. Furthermore, we analyze scores and gains on the subscores and check for differential item functioning in Grade 6 and in change to Grade 9. While after 3 years, no significant difference between the two tracks was apparent in the total learning competence score, we did, however, find significant differences in some subscores and in the functioning of some items. We argue that item-level analysis is important for deeper understanding of the tracking implications and may provide the basis for more precise evidence-based decisions regarding the tracking policy.     

Validation of an assessment centre process for the selection of school leaders in Chile

This study seeks to develop and validate an Assessment Centre (AC) tool for the evaluation and selection of school leaders, focusing on the identification of competencies that influence teaching and learning outcomes. International research supports the creation of Assessment Centres to select candidates for these roles, due to their superior predictive capacity over traditional methods. In this research, a model composed of four face-to-face instruments (an interview to assess competencies, a human resources exercise, a class observation exercise, and a strategic analysis exercise) was designed and validated which simulated the key tasks of a school principal. To establish the desired performance outcomes, three competencies and 15 indicators were selected, based on international and local standards. The analysis of performance results was obtained from a sample of 164 participants made up of teachers, school leaders and principals. The results suggest positive evidence for construct validity, concurrent criteria validity, and reliability between evaluators. Moreover, the data obtained from a sub-sample of principals, with three or more years of experience in their role, allowed for the association of their AC scores with the results of their school organisations, as measured by the National System for the Measurement of Educational Quality in the years 2013 and 2016.     

Effects of different sequences of examples and problems on motivation and learning

Recent research has shown that example study only (EE) and example-problem pairs (EP) were more effective (i.e., higher test performance) and efficient (i.e., attained with less effort invested in learning and/or test tasks) than problem-example pairs (PE) and problem solving only (PP). We conducted two experiments to investigate how different example and problem-solving sequences would affect motivational (i.e., self-efficacy, perceived competence, and topic interest) and cognitive (i.e., effectiveness and efficiency) aspects of learning. In Experiment 1, 124 technical students learned a mathematical task with the help of EEEE, EPEP, PEPE, or PPPP and then completed a posttest. Students in the EEEE Condition showed higher posttest performance, self-efficacy, and perceived competence, attained with less effort investment, than students in the EPEP and PPPP Condition. Surprisingly, there were no differences between the EPEP and PEPE Condition on any of the outcome measures. We hypothesized that, because the tasks were relevant for technical students, starting with a problem might not have negatively affected their motivation. Therefore, we replicated the experiment with a different sample of 81 teacher training students. Experiment 2 showed an efficiency benefit of EEEE over EPEP, PEPE, and PPPP. However, only EEEE resulted in greater posttest performance, self-efficacy, and perceived competence than PPPP. We again did not find any differences between the EPEP and PEPE Condition. These results suggest that, at least when short training phases are used, studying examples (only) is more preferable than problem solving only for learning. Moreover, this study showed that example study (only) also enhances motivational aspects of learning whereas problem solving only does not positively affect students’ motivation at all.     

Do students learn what they teach when generating teaching materials for others? A meta-analysis through the lens of learning by teaching

Students can generate teaching materials for others. However, solid evidence of the learning effect for the student creating the material is needed. This meta-analysis aims to explore current evidence of the learning-by-teaching potential effect on students’ learning of the content they teach. A total of 23 articles were included in the meta-analysis, providing 62 comparisons between an intervention in which students were required to create a teaching material and an alternative condition. Possible moderators were examined as well (i.e., product, educational level, content area, and access to source material). Results show statistically significant differences in favour of creating teaching materials when compared to business-as-usual or alternative interventions, with an overall effect of 0.17. However, the type of product and the access to source material significantly moderate the findings. Audio-visual and visual materials considerably outperform textual materials. Having no access to the source material is better than having full access to it. No publication bias was detected. However, the type of control group moderates the findings: creating teaching materials shows a significant effect when compared to nonbeneficial interventions rather than to other expected beneficial interventions. Nonbeneficial interventions refer to business-as-usual or alternative interventions that are not expected to influence the outcome much, while beneficial interventions are those that are known or expected to have a positive effect. The findings are discussed based on the different views on the underlying learning-by-teaching mechanisms. Limitations as well as implications for practice, policy, and future research are underlined.     

论远程教育信息传播过程及其优化设计

远程教育是教育的一种模式 ,是教育科学的一个新领域。因为它属于教育的范畴 ,所以其教学过程也是整个教育活动的基本组成部分。而远程教育的教学过程、信息传播过程与一般教育的教学过程、信息传播过程相比 ,又有其独特性。本文着重阐述了远程教育教学过程以及信息传播的构成要素 ,并提出优化设计远程教育传播过程的观点 ,更好地开发、发展远程教育。     

Differences in novice and experienced teachers’ perceptions of planning activities in terms of primary instructional tasks

This study was aimed at investigating differences between novice and experienced teachers’ perceptions of planning activities for developing teacher education students’ professional skills by focusing on promoting of identified ill-developed skills. The teachers’ thinking about instructional planning was conceived as teachers’ decision-making for implementing primary teaching tasks in the planning, delivery, and reflective phases of instruction. This model served as a basis (or framework) for the identification of potential variables of planning skills and developing of items for a teachers’ questionnaire. Fifty-eight experienced and 55 novice teachers from Estonian schools of general education were surveyed. It was revealed that novice teachers did not apprehend events that may undermine reaching long-term instructional objectives and they focused more on the achievement of immediate objectives and the teaching of obligatory content in comparison with experienced teachers.     

教育生态学对信息化教学资源建设与应用的启示

随着教育信息化经过了大规模的硬件投资、师资培训、资源建设后,信息化教学资源作为一种新生的物种逐渐被教师所熟悉与应用。文章在教育生态学理论的指导下,通过文献分析法,将其视为一个有机、复杂、统一的生态系统,提出信息化教学资源的平衡、动态、可持续发展的对策,促进信息化教学资源的快速发展与创新应用,不断推进教育信息化的进程。     

英国文学多媒体教学手段中的认知负荷调节

认知负荷理论把工作记忆的限制性看作学习的主要障碍。在英国文学课程教学内容的内在认知负荷相对固定的前提下,应该在多媒体教学手段的设计和使用中减少外在认知负荷,增加相关认知负荷,从而改善学习效果。     

数字环境下《摄影基础》课程教学的改革与实践

随着数码照相机的普及应用和图像处理的数字化,《摄影基础》作为高等师范院校现代教育技术等相关多个专业的必修课程,在教学内容、教学方法和实验技能等方面也产生的很大的变化。文章根据作者多年《摄影基础》课程教学的工作实践,对课程的教学进行了总结及反思,旨在使《摄影基础》课程的教学更加完善。