Comparing active delay and procrastination from a self-regulated learning perspective

Researchers have proposed that the act of postponing academic work may be divided into a traditional definition of procrastination, viewed as maladaptive, and adaptive forms of delay. Adaptive forms of delay may be more consistent with certain facets of self-regulated learning. The current study investigated this issue by examining whether the relations between aspects of self-regulated learning and active delay may be distinct from the relations these aspects of self-regulated learning have with procrastination. Among 206 undergraduates, procrastination was positively predicted by mastery-avoidance goals and negatively by metacognitive strategy usage, whereas active delay was negatively predicted by avoidance goals and positively by self-efficacy. Furthermore, students who reported higher levels of active delay also received better grades. These findings provide support that active delay is a distinct form of delay from procrastination that may be more positive due to its associations with some adaptive self-regulatory processes and academic achievement.     

A teacher-report measure of children's task-avoidant behavior: A validation study of the Behavioral Strategy Rating Scale

This study aims to validate a teacher-report measure of children's task-avoidant behavior, namely the Behavioral Strategy Rating Scale (BSRS), in a sample of 352 Finnish children. In each of the four waves from Kindergarten to Grade 2, teachers rated children's task-avoidant behavior using the BSRS, children completed reading and mathematics tests, and trained testers rated children's task-avoidant and social-dependent behavior after the test situation. Mothers also rated children's task-avoidant behavior in the last two waves. The results showed that a two-factor model including one factor representing task avoidance and one method factor accounting for wording effects among the negatively phrased items fitted the data best. The scale demonstrated strict measurement invariance across all four waves and satisfactory convergent and discriminant validity. Teacher-reported task avoidance was negatively associated with performance in reading and mathematics. The results suggest that the BSRS is a reliable, valid, and developmentally suitable instrument.     

Socioeconomic Status– and Gender‐Based Differences in Students’ Perceptions of E‐Learning Systems

Many universities are pursuing increases in on‐line course offerings as a means of offsetting the rising costs of providing high‐quality educational opportunities and of better serving their student populations. However, enrollments in online courses are not always sufficient to cover their costs. One possible way of improving enrollments is through marketing campaigns targeted to specific demographic groups. In this study, we take a first look into how students’ perceptions of e‐learning systems, prior to their enrollment in an online course, vary across socioeconomic status and gender. Findings suggest that prior to taking an online course, working‐class students perceive e‐learning systems more positively than their middle‐class peers but that little difference exists between genders. Armed with this knowledge, universities may improve online course enrollments by marketing online courses specifically to working‐class students or through campaigns aimed at improving middle‐class students’ perceptions of e‐learning systems.     

Intrinsic Factors for Continued ERP Learning: A Precursor to Interdisciplinary ERP Curriculum Design

Unilateral enterprise resource planning (ERP) curriculum improvements from the instructor's perspective are likely to generate only limited success. Understanding student motivations and beliefs with ERP systems is the missing link to effective ERP education. Relatively little attention in the ERP literature has been given to student learning associated with ERP experience, and almost none to factors influencing current and expected student beliefs and behaviors relative to ERP. The complexity of ERP systems demands that beliefs and behaviors be considered when planning ERP curricula. In the present study, the Theory of Planned Behavior was extended to examine students’ intentions to explore additional aspects of ERP after their class exercises. When considering all students, attitude and subjective norm had positive and significant effects on intentions to continue ERP learning. Subjective norm also affected attitude, and availability of support materials had a positive effect on subjective norm. Distinctive patterns are found for the construct relationships between student groups who valued ERP education (the engaged) and those who placed little or no value on ERP education (the undecided). Results from competing model analyses indicate that support materials influenced the engaged and undecided groups differently. Strategies for ERP curriculum design are provided.     

完善人才培养体系,服务农村基础教育——安徽省农村中小学美术教育现状及师范生顶岗实习研究

结合目前师范院校教育实习的现状和安徽省农村中小学美术课程教学的实际情况,提出在安徽省以农村中小学美术学科作为试点,探讨这一制度实施的理论基础、关键环节。建立高师院校、城市示范中小学校美术教学见习基地、农村中小学实习基地三方协作的师范生实习指导形式,提高人才培养的质量,促进城乡教育均衡发展。     

信息环境下西部地区大学生英语学习现状及其原因分析——以四川外语学院为例

信息技术影响到外语教与学的方方面面。对学生进行调查后发现,近半数学生喜欢通过网络和手机等电子工具学习英语;有1／3左右的学生喜欢通过虚拟学习环境学习英语;只有很少一部分学生喜欢去自主学习中心学习英语。从学生视角对造成上述现象原因进行分析有助于帮助学生提高学习能力。     

开放教育环境下提高英语教学效果的思考

在电大开放教育环境下,学员很难在较短时间内取得良好学习效果。探讨电大开放教育环境下适合各专业学员学习的有效方法,提高英语面授辅导课教学效果,切实增强开放教育各专业学员英语应用能力和综合素质具有十分重要的意义。     

完善英语课程形成性考核提高电大学生英语自主学习能力

应用形成性考核理论,以衢州广播电视大学开放教育英语专业学生为主要调查群体,结合衢州电大外语教研组教师的教学体会和经验,通过教师对学生自主学习方式进行指导,尽快让学生掌握有效学习方法等,进一步完善英语课程形成性考核体系,提高电大学生英语自主学习能力。     

湖南维新派"师日观"初探

甲午战争失败后,湖南维新派欲变法自强,其日本观完全转变,师日成为普遍共识.他们主张,主要从两个方面向日本学习:一、学习日本维新志士的献身精神;二、主张在政治、经济、教育、社会等方面向日本学习.这股在湖南掀起的师日风潮,给湖南维新运动带来积极的推动作用.同时,也对后来的湖南历史发展产生了一定的影响.