Using the inquiry-based learning approach to enhance student innovativeness: a conceptual model

ABSTRACT

Individual innovativeness has become one of the most important employability skills for university graduates. In this paper, we focus on how students could be better prepared to be innovative in the workplace, and we argue that inquiry-based learning (IBL) – a pedagogical approach in which students follow the inquiry-based processes used by scientists to construct knowledge – can be effective for this purpose. Drawing on research which examines the social and cognitive micro-foundations of innovative behavior, we develop a conceptual model that links IBL and student innovativeness, and introduce three teacher-controlled design elements that can influence the strength of this relationship, namely whether an inquiry is open or closed, discovery-focused or information focused and individual or team-based. We argue that an open, discovery-focused and team-based inquiry offers the greatest potential for enhancing students’ skills in innovation. This paper has several implications for higher education research and practice.     

Improving Agricultural Extension Services through University Outreach Initiatives: A Case of Farmers in Model Villages in Ogun State,Nigeria

Abstract

University outreach is an educational and research-based information source enabling farmers to make decisions that improve the quality of their lives. This paper explores how collaborative efforts between the university and farmers have directly impacted in albeit Striga (‘noxious witch weed’) ravaged maize farms in rainforest farming systems in southwest Nigeria. Data were collected using pre-tested instruments from cross-section of 280 participating and non-participating farmers. Logistic regression results indicated that certain coefficient estimates such as gender, regularity of extension contact, membership of farmers’ group, female adult aged 16 and above, assistance in the provision of tractor-hiring services and improved crop yields were found to be statistically significant at p < 0.05. Furthermore, findings from sample statistics were reflections of peasantry as majority of the farmers had small mean farm size, large household size and low annual income from sales of maize crop. The major conclusion that could be drawn from the study is that the provision of extension by the university coupled with other factors have had significant positive influence on decision to adopt introduced cultural practices with attendant improvement on the well-being of participating farmers.     

Strengthening Agricultural Education and Training in sub-Saharan Africa from an Innovation Systems Perspective: A Case Study of Mozambique

Abstract

This paper examines how post-secondary agricultural education and training (AET) in sub-Saharan Africa can contribute to agricultural development by strengthening the capacity to innovate—to introduce new products and processes that are socially or economically relevant to smallholder farmers and other agents. Using the AET system in Mozambique as a case study, this paper examines the role of AET within the context of an agricultural innovation system. This innovation systems perspective offers an analytical framework to examine technological change in agriculture as a complex process of interactions among diverse actors who generate, exchange, and use knowledge, conditioned by complex social and economic institutions. The paper argues that while AET is conventionally viewed as key to the development of human capital, it also has a vital role to play in building the capacity of organizations and individuals to transmit and adapt information, products and processes, and new organizational cultures and behaviors. The paper emphasizes the importance of improving AET systems by strengthening the capabilities of organizations and professionals; changing organizational cultures, behaviors, and incentives; and building innovation networks and linkages. The paper offers several recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of AET for agricultural innovation and development. Key reforms include aligning the mandates of AET organizations with national development aspirations; inducing change in the cultures of AET organizations through the introduction of educational programs and linkages beyond the AET system; and enhancing innovative individual and organizational capacity by improving incentives to forge stronger links between AET and other stakeholders.     

再谈对普通高校本科生导师制的几点认识

在当前我国高校办学规模增大,而学生身心发展不成熟,学生管理机制建设滞后的背景下,本科生导师制以其思想政治教育、专业学习指导、实践技能训练和职业发展帮扶等为工作内容,能够促进学生的专业学习,完善传统的学生管理体系,最终提升我国高等教育的人才培养整体质量。     

大学生化学学习自我效能感的调查研究

本文对大学生化学学习自我效能感进行了调查,并探讨不同性别和化学成绩的大学生在化学学习自我效能感上的差异以及化学学习自我效能感与化学成绩之间的关系,根据研究结果以及化学特点提出一些在化学教学课堂中培养高自我效能感的教学建议。     

内江师范学院校园绿地土壤抗蚀性研究

以内江师范学院校园绿地（林地、草地、灌丛）土壤作为研究材料,周边农耕地作为对照,通过对土壤容重、土壤机械组成、〉0．25mm干筛团聚体含量、土壤崩解速率、土壤抗蚀指数（S）、土壤水稳性指数（K）等指标的测定和分析,研究了校园绿地土壤的抗蚀性能．结果表明,校园不同绿地土壤的机械组成差异显著,物理性粘粒含量灌丛〉林地〉耕地〉草地,砂粒含量草地〉灌丛〉耕地〉林地;不同绿地土壤干筛团聚体组成差异极显著;土壤崩解速率总体上表现为灌丛〈林地〈草地〈耕地,且灌丛、林地、草地的静水崩解率在垂直方向上增大,而耕地相反;水稳性指数总体表现为灌丛〉林地〉草地〉耕地,垂直方向上,耕地K值减小,其它绿地K值均增加．因此认为,校园不同绿地土壤的抗蚀性由强到弱依次为灌丛〉林地〉草地〉耕地．基于研究结果,提出了校园土壤的保护建议,为校园绿化提供一定的参考．     

高校二级学院的发展特色策略探究——以湖北师范学院教育科学学院为例

面对日益激烈的竞争,地方高校二级学院的现实选择就是走特色发展之路.分析湖北师范学院教育科学学院走特色发展之路所拥有的机遇和面临的挑战,在此基础上提出了学院特色发展的推进策略.     

大学为学生提供了什么样的信息技术经历：现状及效果的探析——基于南京大学与首尔大学的问卷调查

大学生的信息技术经历是其大学就读经历中的一个重要组成部分,分析大学生信息技术经历的现状及其对学业结果的促进效果,是探究本科教育质量的重要路径。通过对中国南京大学和韩国首尔大学的问卷调查,课题组发现,南京大学样本的信息技术经历的性别差异、家庭背景差异、生源地差异、年级差异、学科差异等都非常显著,首尔大学样本除了在年级和学科等因素上存在个别指标（即信息技术使用状况）的差异之外,在其他所有背景因素上都不存在显著的差异性。回归分析则表明,中韩本科生的＂信息技术使用状况＂和＂信息技术使用的积极意向＂都会对各种学术性学习结果产生显著的正向影响,但＂信息技术使用的消极意向＂均不会对各种学术性学习结果产生显著的负向影响。在定量分析和定性访谈的基础上,课题组认为,关注对弱势群体学生的信息技术使用经历、意向和能力的支持和帮助;关注对教师信息技术能力的提升;改革刚性的教学评价制度,发挥信息技术真正支持教学的潜力;将学生的信息技术能力（特别是学术信息的搜集、整理和交流能力）纳入到培养目标和考评体系中来等四个方面,是改进本科生信息技术经历、提升学生学习结果的重要实践策略。     

MOOC在社区教育中的应用路径探索——基于开放大学建设的视角

MOOC（MassiveOpenOnlineCourse）即大规模开放性在线课程,是当前风行于发达国家的新型网络教学模式,其开放、大规模等特征有助于中国社区教育的普及,并完善终身教育体系的构建。从MOOC原初理论出发,挖掘MOOC的内涵和价值能更好的借鉴国外的实践经验,从学习者、社区学院、教育管理部门三个角度探究其在中国社区教育中的应用路径,分析在我国社区教育中推行MOOC可能遇到的障碍．进而从服务职能提升、终身教育实践能力发展和学业评价科学化三个方面,阐述MOOC在开放大学建设中的意义。     

河南栾川县旅游商品发展对策研究

一个国家或地区游客在娱乐和购物上的消费比重越大,旅游经济运行的相关机制就越完善,因此旅游购物的发展是一个地区旅游业发展状况的重要标志之一.河南省栾川县在旅游商品发展的过程中呈现出的问题不容忽视且亟待改进,作者在对栾川县旅游购物发展现状进行调查的基础上,从旅游管理部门、旅游商品、旅游商品销售商家三个角度提出了发展旅游购物业的具体对策,希望为栾川相关部门起到一定的参考作用.