Measuring Student Perceptions of Blackboard Using the Technology Acceptance Model

Web Enhanced Instruction (WEI) is not intended to replace the traditional classroom setting, but rather to supplement the traditional lecture with course content that can be accessed from campus or the Internet. WEI has the potential to extend the boundaries of traditional classrooms by providing new opportunities for communication and interaction between students and the instructor. While the potential benefits of augmenting the traditional class with WEI have been recognized and discussed, what has remained largely unknown are student reactions to WEI as an addition to the traditional lecture. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) has been widely used in the Information Systems research to gather user reactions to information systems. The TAM examines users' perceptions of Usage, Usefulness, and Ease of Use. This research applied the TAM to the academic setting to measure student reactions to Blackboard, the WEI tool used in this study. Using several multivariate methods, results suggest that students (n = 692) found that the Blackboard elements which are associated with Course Content (Course Documents, Lectures, Student Tools, Announcements, and Quizzes) are used more often and are seen as more useful than those items that provide Course Support and communication (Discussion Board, External Web Sites, Faculty Information, and E‐Mail).     

Objects prompt authentic scientific activities among learners in a museum programme

Although the scientific disciplines conduct practical work in different ways, all consider practical work as the essential way of connecting objects and phenomena with ideas and the abstract. Accordingly, practical work is regarded as central to science education as well. We investigate a practical, object-based palaeontology programme at a natural history museum to identify how palaeontological objects prompt scientific activity among upper secondary school students. We first construct a theoretical framework based on an analysis of the programme’s palaeontological content. From this, we build our reference model, which considers the specimens used in the programme, possible palaeontological interpretations of these specimens, and the conditions inherent in the programme. We use the reference model to analyse the activities of programme participants, and illustrate how these activities are palaeontologically authentic. Finally, we discuss our findings, examining the mechanism by which the specimens prompt scientific activities. We also discuss our discipline-based approach, and how it allows us to positively identify participants’ activities as authentic. We conclude by discussing the implications of our findings.     

Research capacity for local innovation: the case of conservation agriculture in Ethiopia,Malawi and Mozambique

Purpose: The limited uptake of improved agricultural practices in Africa raise questions on the functionality of current agricultural research systems. Our purpose is to explore the capacity for local innovation within the research systems of Ethiopia, Malawi and Mozambique.

Design/methodology/approach: Using Conservation Agriculture (CA) as a case study, we qualitatively explore with 26 locally based agricultural researchers the context of CA research and promotion, including their perceptions on persistent research gaps and issues in closing them.

Findings: Respondents identified that CA was not yet a finished product, with concerns regarding the benefit, feasibility and relevance of CA implementation. They asserted that while further adaptation was required, they were unable to do this due to institutional constraints within their research, extension and policy contexts.

Practical implications: We find that CA continues to be considered a donor-driven intervention in its current form and requires substantial further adaptation to local contexts before researchers will deem it ready for farmer uptake. The five research gaps identified by respondents highlight practical areas where further adaptations must occur.

Theoretical implications: Our findings suggest a lack of participatory research and extension most likely reflects limited financial, human and social capital to implement more participatory approaches. Without addressing these capacities, widespread adoption of complex farming systems change appears unlikely.

Originality/Value: Whilst many studies have identified a need for local innovation to enable CA utilisation, few have qualitatively explored directly with local researchers the capacity of such systems to do so. We address this gap in the literature.     

"分子生物学实验"课程体系的建立和考核方法的改革

本文在比较国内著名高校的分子生物学实验课程体系基础上,结合我校教学计划,将科研成果转化为实验教学综合性实验项目,设置具有特色的实验课程体系。采用多媒体实验教学方法,增加设计性实验项目,突出“研究型特色”。此外,在期末考试中,学生须将实验报告整理成课程论文。     

校园网布线系统性能分析

布线系统地优劣直接影响校园网的性能及网络转型。探讨校园网布线系统的选型及性能测试。     

基于GIS产品的软件测试方法研究

随着信息技术的飞速发展,GIS软件产品已广泛应用于与地理坐标相关的几乎所有领域,软件的规模和复杂度都有很大的提高。因此,提高软件质量及可靠性已成为当前软件工程领域的重要任务。软件测试是保障软件质量的有效手段,面向对象软件测试是面向对象软件开发的不可缺少的一环。笔者从面向对象程序的特点出发,描述如何对GIS软件的分析和设计模型进行测试,强调将软件测试思想融合到软件开发的各个阶段。     

加强中学生物学教学法实验教学,提高学生的实验能力

本论述了加强中学生物学教学法实验教学的意义，中学生物学教学法实验教学的现状及如何通过中学生物学教学法实验提高学生的实验能力。     

基于超星学习通的分子生物学实验教学改革实践

分子生物学实验是生物学一门重要专业核心实验课程,对培养学生专业实践技能、塑造学生创新思维等具有重要作用。本文对基于超星学习通APP建立分子生物学实验课程的网络辅助教学体系实践情况及存在的问题进行了总结,为其他院校分子生物学实验教学改革工作提供一定参考。     

论电子政务在中国高等教育管理中的发展

从中国高等教育管理与电子政务的关系入手，运用对立统一规律和系统论原理，找出目前我国高等教育电子政务化过程中存在的主要问题，论述“传统管理模式”平衡过渡到“电子政务管理模式”的科学过程。     

基于GIS产品的软件测试方法研究

随着信息技术的飞速发展，GIS软件产品已广泛应用于与地理坐标相关的几乎所有领域，软件的规模和复杂度都有很大的提高。因此，提高软件质量及可靠性已成为当前软件工程领域的重要任务．软件测试是保障软件质量的有效手段，面向对象软件测试是面向对象软件开发的不可缺少的一环。笔者从面向对象程序的特点出发，描述如何对GIS软件的分析和设计模型进行测试，强调将软件测试思想融合到软件开发的各个阶段。