Development of a competency mapping tool for undergraduate professional degree programmes,using mechanical engineering as a case study

Mapping the curriculum of a professional degree to the associated competency standard ensures graduates have the competence to perform as professionals. Existing approaches to competence mapping vary greatly in depth, complexity, and effectiveness, and a standardised approach remains elusive. This paper describes a new mapping software tool that streamlines and standardises the competency mapping process. The available analytics facilitate ongoing programme review, management, and accreditation. The complete mapping and analysis of an Australian mechanical engineering degree programme is described as a case study. Each subject is mapped by evaluating the amount and depth of competence development present. Combining subject results then enables highly detailed programme level analysis. The mapping process is designed to be administratively light, with aspects of professional development embedded in the software. The effective competence mapping described in this paper enables quantification of learning within a professional degree programme, and provides a mechanism for holistic programme improvement.     

Children’s Memory: A Primer for Understanding Behavior

This paper provides the opportunity to understand children’s behavior from a memory viewpoint. For the last three decades, cognitive developmentalists have been asking the question, “what develops in children’s memory?” Four answers to this question are presented, complete with explanations, examples, and possible applications where appropriate. The purpose of the paper is to provide early childhood educators and other practitioners who work with children a different lens through which to view children’s behavior. The memory view is compatible with current best practices in early childhood education, and may provide practitioners an additional viewpoint from which to draw when implementing developmentally appropriate practice.     

Usefulness of cognitive intervention programmes for socio-emotional and behaviour problems in children with learning disabilities

Behavioural and emotional problems occur more frequently in children with learning problems than in a cross-section of the general population, both at home and at school. While behaviour problems reportedly are a key obstructive factor impeding inclusive education, children with both behavioural and learning disabilities carry a high risk of social exclusion and school dropout when they are in mainstream environments. Meta-analyses indicated only a moderate impact of social skills training. To see what kind of intervention programme would be effective in modifying cognitive as well as socio-emotional behaviour and at the same time focusing on contextual interaction and intervention, a pilot study has been carried out in Belgium with 11–13-year-old students with learning disability and behaviour problems in special schools. A total of 24 children in the experimental group were matched against a control group of 24. Children in the experimental group, after having received 14 lessons of FIE (Feuerstein's Instrumental Enrichment Programme), showed a marked increase in some cognitive functions (hypothetical thinking, perception and understanding of humour) but not in others. A significant effect on socio-emotional behaviour could not be shown quantitatively, but was evident from qualitative interviewing. The mediating attitude of the teachers was a key influencing factor in producing lasting changes. Programmes such as FIE, provided they address children as well as teachers in a comprehensive way, focusing on cognitive as well as socio-emotional behavioural changes, may become powerful instruments to help children as well as teachers in a highly differentiated inclusive school environment.     

论认知语境与英语多媒体教学的整合与同构

自上世纪末,我国语言学界掀起了研究认知语言学热潮,尤其是对认知语境与关联理论在对语言教学的指导方面推崇备致,而多媒体在语言教学中的作用却受到了某些人士的质疑。本文的目的在于揭示认知语境和关联理论在指导教学中的局限性,并通过多媒体与传统教学手段进行比照,说明多媒体教学比传统教学更能有效地解决认知语境与关联理论的这一局限性。     

基于虚拟现实技术的企业认知实践教学设计与仿真实验开发

机械类专业学生企业认知学习的目标和任务是使学生了解企业生产和工作环境,增加学生对机械专业工作岗位群的感性认识,并通过理论联系实际初步培养学生的工程意识、工程素质和工程实践能力,为今后进一步学好各门专业课奠定基础。而由于实习学生人数多、学生实习既耽误工作又妨碍生产,因此很多企业都不太愿意接收学生在企业实习,实习企业难找是目前大部分机械类专业面临的共性问题。本论文针对实习企业难找的问题,利用虚拟现实技术设计了以真实存在企业环境为基础的虚拟认知实践教学环境,并开发了可完成仿真实验的数字化虚拟工厂。基于虚拟现实技术的数字化工厂有效解决了学生实习企业难找的问题,为实习学生提供了不到工厂也能参观企业的各个部门及生产车间、了解生产流程、熟悉各类生产设备和工艺的平台。     

数学教师认知偏差的分析及对策

借助认知偏差的概念，归纳出数学教师认知偏差的表现及对数学教学的消极影响，对数学教师的认知偏差进行了归国分析，指出了数学教师认知偏差的克服途径。     

汉语个体量词的产生及其原因探讨

从历时的角度考察了汉语个体量词产生、发展和成熟时期的情况,和汉语个体量词产生的动因。认为汉语个体量词的产生是汉语范畴化和汉语类型特点制约的结果,同时反映了汉民族的认知视点。     

广告双关语的概念整合分析

双关作为一种有效的修辞手段,备受广告商的青睐。近年来,对广告双关语的研究仅仅局限于对其结构形式、语用功能和美学功能的讨论。本文从认知的角度,用概念整合理论分析了广告双关语的产生和解读过程,并认为广告双关语具有独特的认知特性:对双关语的解读过程有实时性,需要在特定的语境下进行,同时也受文化模式的制约。     

运用概念图进行生物教学对学生认知方式的影响

本研究以高二学生为被试 ,采用不同教学方法进行高中生物“新陈代谢”一章的教学后 ,对高二学生的认知方式及其学业成绩进行了分析。结果表明 :(1)不同的教与学方法对学生的认知方式会产生显著影响。 (2 )使用画概念图的实验班学生多选择“规则 (P)”为其认知方式。这表明 ,学生主要以有意义的方式在进行学习和建构自己的认知结构 ,其生物学业成绩较好。 (3)运用传统教学法的控制班选择“回忆 (R)”为主要认知方式。这表明 ,控制班学生以机械记忆为主构建自己的认知结构     

Cognitive Development in Gifted Children: Toward a More Precise Understanding of Emerging Differences in Intelligence

To truly understand gifted performance, it is necessary to merge research on giftedness with current thinking in cognitive development and intelligence. This article presents traditional research on gifted children's cognitive development then considers how the application of newer models and theories from the field of cognitive development can be combined with research on giftedness to change the way people think about gifted performance. First four factors that have often been associated with giftedness are discussed from the perspectives of cognitive developmental psychology and gifted education. Next, emphasis is placed on investigating the strategic development of gifted children. Specifically, R. S. Siegler's (Emerging Minds: The Process of Change in Children's Thinking, Oxford University Press, New York, 1996) model of strategy development is addressed in terms of what it may contribute to understanding gifted cognition. Finally, future lines of research using models from cognitive development and complex systems models of development are recommended.