Social relations as predictors of achievement in math in Kenyan primary schools

In sub-Saharan Africa, where there is limited financial and human capital, it is important to examine how social relationships may serve to promote or undermine human capital formation. However, little is known about the contributions of social relations to human capital development, especially in terms of academic achievement in Africa. This study examined how variations in key aspects of social relations among teachers; between teachers and students; between principals, teachers, parents and students affect achievement in mathematics among sixth graders in 70 schools in six districts in Kenya. We modeled mathematics achievement as a function of measures of social perception and support while adjusting for school-, classroom- and student level background characteristics. We found that net of teacher subject knowledge and background characteristics, teachers who display commitment to teaching by always correcting homework and keeping students engaged during math lessons had their students performing better. Teacher absenteeism and lack of interest in teaching were negatively associated with performance in math. Lack of parental involvement in the classroom also had negative effects on grades. At the school level, the level of engagement of the principal, measured by supervision of teachers and good interpersonal interactions with parents had positive effects on math achievement. Schools where parents provided material and financial support had better grades, while student delinquency and absenteeism negatively affected grades.     

Teachers' perspectives of changes in their practice during a technology in mathematics education research project

Teachers' perception of changes to their teaching practice, with respect to digital technology use in secondary school mathematics, during their participation in a research project are reported. Two case studies are presented of teacher perspectives illustrative of the range of perceived changes teachers made to their practice and positions along the ‘path of change’ during their participation in the project. Participating in a project supportive of teacher change and resulting in perception of substantial change was necessary, but not sufficient, to meet the goal of transformative use of digital technologies to increase the level of cognitive demand experienced by students.     

“为人师表”的合理范畴论析

为人师表是教师职业道德的基本要求。教师为人师表,应该有具体的时空范畴和行为范畴,而不应当把它泛化到教师的所有行为和一切时空环境。这既是对作为教师的人的尊重,也是教师专业化建设中不可忽视的“技术”问题。     

任务型教学背景下的外语师资教育

我国新的英语课程标准倡导任务型语言教学途径,给广大外语教师提出了更高的要求。因此,任务型教学中外语师资教育也变得越来越重要。文章着重探讨了任务型教学对外语教师的要求及在此背景下外语师资的培养策略,包括任务型教学理论知识的学习,开展任务型教学反思,组织或参加任务型教学专题研讨会等。     

高职会计专业教学若干问题的探讨

会计专业教学一直是会计理论工作者、教育工作者和实务工作者所关注的问题。建立具有中国特色的社会主义市场经济体系,需要大量的会计专业的应用性人才,高职教育是社会发展的必然结果。本文就如何面对新形式改进会计专业教学,发展高职会计教育,全面提高会计专业教学质量的几个问题进行了分析和探讨。     

Teachers in school sports: between the fields of education and sport?

According to the cultural sociologist Pierre Bourdieu, gaining access to a social space or a position within a social space requires a specific capital. For teachers, this is normally indicated by a valid teaching certificate with relevant subject knowledge. However, when no qualified teachers are available, which is the case for the subject of school sports in Sweden, other assets gain recognition. Drawing on Bourdieu's conceptual framework, this paper examined the conditions for school sports in Sweden, and based on questionnaires answered by 109 teachers, explored the competencies, education and backgrounds teachers in upper secondary school sports possess. The paper address the question: what valuable resources are required to become a teacher of school sports and gain recognition as symbolic capital? The results show that while school sports in Sweden are carried out through a school subject and thus regulated by the government, it is influenced by both the fields of education and sport. Furthermore, the questionnaire results show that a majority of the teachers are employed as coaches instead of teachers and that less than half of them (45%) have a teacher education background, while 95% have a coaching education background. However, the results also show that teachers assessed their competencies for teaching school sports as high, especially with regard to competencies in specific sport skills. In conclusion, this paper shows how coaching education and experience in competitive sports are an important resource required to become a teacher in school sports and is thus recognized as symbolic capital. Therefore, school sports cannot be viewed as a legitimate part of the field of education but can be viewed as a part of the field of sport.     

走出误区,使"做中学" 形神兼备

实施“做中学”过程中缺乏对其内涵的把握，简单化、孤立化、形式化、教条化地执行“做中学”的各个要素，以及教师缺乏引导（价值引领）是“做中学”步入误区的根源。教师只有在理念与行动之间进行反思，才能使新的理念内化并形成实施“做中学”所需要的教学索质，使“做中学”形神兼备。     

原电池教学设计

基础教育课程改革倡导师生在教学中进行科学探究，让学生自行建构知识网络。根据这种理念，就原电池一节的教学设计了一种科学探究的教学模式。