Contexts of reading instruction: Implications for literacy skills and kindergarteners’ behavioral engagement

This observational study examined kindergarteners’ (n = 170) exposure to literacy instruction in their classrooms (n = 36), child-by-instruction interactions, and behavioral engagement in relation to literacy skills. Time spent in four instructional contexts was coded according to who managed children's attention (teacher-managed, TM or child-managed, CM), and the content focus (basic skills such as teaching letters and their sounds, or meaning-focused such as discussing a book); children's behavioral engagement and off-task behavior were also coded live five times over the year. Word-reading and phonological awareness skills were assessed in fall and spring. Hierarchical Linear Modeling results indicated that kindergarteners with lower initial skills gained more in word-reading, but not phonological awareness, when they were exposed to relatively more time in TM basic skills instruction. In contrast, more time in CM meaning-focused instruction did not interact with initial skills to predict either outcome. Engagement analyses indicated that students were more likely to be off-task in CM than in TM contexts. Children who spent more time off-task during TM contexts had lower spring scores on both outcomes. Discussion explores the implications of this work for both literacy learning and behavioral engagement in the transition year of kindergarten.     

Allies in learning: critical insights into the importance of staff–student interactions in university education

Discussions of the quality of learning in university education often focus on curricula. Less attention is paid to the role of student–staff interactions. In a context in which a host of factors place pressure on the opportunities for students and staff to interact, it is important to use empirical insights to inform decisions about how to optimise learning. This paper uses data from a large survey of students and teaching staff in Australia to suggest that students and staff should be regarded as allies in learning. It investigates student reports to suggest that frequent interactions with those who teach them lead to higher levels of student engagement and satisfaction and lower attrition rates. The advantages do not only flow in one direction. Teaching staff gain insights into students' learning experiences, providing them with clues to better target their teaching.     

Factors Influencing Access to Integrated Soil Fertility Management Information and Knowledge and its Uptake among Smallholder Farmers in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Purpose: The study evaluated how farmer acquisition, sharing and use patterns of information and knowledge interact with different socioeconomic factors to influence integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) technology uptake.

Design/methodology/approach: The study was conducted as part of an evaluation of field-based farmer learning approaches introduced by SOFECSA in Zimbabwe. Building on emerging farmer interactive platforms, data were collected using farmer participatory research approaches.

Findings: Over 90% of the farmers identified the national extension agents as the farmers' most preferred and reliable sources of information on ISFM, with farmer-to-farmer interactions ranking second. Non-governmental organisations and the print media emerged as the least trusted sources of agricultural technical information. Field-based learning centres, which enabled interactive evaluation of different ISFM options, constituted ~50%, indicating that they were major platforms for information and knowledge sharing. Uptake of ISFM was influenced by farmer resource group and farmers' visits to learning centres. Farmer experience and access to extension services were, in turn, the major factors influencing farmers' use of ISFM information. Approaches that support farmer-to-farmer interactions are required and learning centres are a suitable platform for such interactions to occur.

Practical implications: The article brings to attention the role of learning centres in fostering adoption of ISFM technologies. Insights on the need to support and strengthen agricultural extension in rural smallholder communities are provided.

Originality/value: This is a unique study exploring the role of farmer-oriented information and knowledge management in promoting complex technologies such as ISFM. A new dimension on the demands of new approaches for information dissemination to enhance knowledge sharing is presented.     

Graduate teaching assistants: motives,difficulties and professional interactions and their relationship to perceived benefits

ABSTRACT

Graduate students play a major role in teaching in higher education, particularly in undergraduate programs. The purpose of the present study was two-fold: first, to identify graduate students’ motives for working as graduate teaching assistants (GTAs), describe some aspects of their work, and ascertain their perceived benefits; second, to predict GTAs’ benefits as a function of their individual background characteristics, motives, job difficulties, and richness of professional interactions with the course instructor. Data were collected from 189 GTAs who led discussion groups at a large research university in Israel by means of an internet questionnaire. Findings revealed that graduate students accepted the position of GTA mainly for extrinsic reasons, such as salary and convenience. They claimed to have faced few difficulties and that their professional interactions with the course instructors focused more on job responsibilities and less on pedagogical issues. They reported having gained a greater understanding of course content and improved teaching skills due to their experience as GTAs. Richness of contact with the course instructor, motives, difficulties, and faculty match significantly contributed to predicting perceived benefits. The implications of the results are discussed.     

计算机交互中娱乐性问题的心理学研究

随着计算机技术的普及和广泛应用,计算机交互的娱乐性问题引起心理学家的关注,并形成特质论和状态论两种观点。基于这两种观点的研究,并重点讨论了最近 Woszczynski提出的交互作用模型。根据该模型,娱乐性是既包含特质影响也包含情境作用的人格因素,其中人格特质为潜在变量,情境作用为外源性变量,两者的结合共同调节着计算机交互中个体的行为。针对该模型存在的问题,今后有必要发展可用于分离特质和状态这两种不同心理成分的测量技术,并纳入到整合研究的范式中开展研究。     

Influences of Teacher–Child Social Interactions on English Language Development in a Head Start Classroom

Increasing numbers of Spanish-speaking preschool children require attention to improve the likelihood of success in school. This study, part of a larger 2-year ethnographic study of a Head Start classroom, elaborates the role of teachers’ interactions with students who were learning English. Using an interactional ethnography approach, the authors focus on the social nature of these interactions. The study illuminates the kinds of teacher interactions with students that support and hinder the students’ language learning. It reinforces the importance of student engagement in social interactions with teachers and with English other than codes of obedience and authority. Finally, it recommends actions teachers can take to provide optimal circumstances for English learning interactions for students.

互联网与英语学习

互联网在英语教学中的运用正越来越受到欢迎。构筑一个教师与教师、教师与学生、学生与学生之间的双向交流平台，对提高和改善外语学习的环境和氛围大有益处。     

课堂提问组构有效价值取向的现代阐释

课堂提问历来是教学论的研究热点。从教学论的视域出发,我们看到提问作为一种有效教学的形式承担着课堂教学的重任,提问的好坏直接影响到课堂教学的质量。现今的课堂教学中大多呈现着一种"泛问题化、纯问答式"的现象,在搭建课堂提问层次性、程序性的通道中,缺乏科学性、艺术性的开发思维的问题链。课堂提问需根据教学和学生实际,精心设计、灵巧筑构,文本中的重难点和关键点要设置实、精、深、新的问题重锤夯实。只有这样,一堂好课才能由教师设置的一连串有价值的问题来实现。     

英文科技期刊语言润色中与作者的互动策略及启示——《中国航空学报》（英文版）的实践

【目的】探讨Chinese Journal of Aeronautics(CJA)英文润色工作中与作者良性互动对期刊发展的促进作用。【方法】 基于CJA的语言润色工作实践,系统总结了与作者沟通的方法和技巧。【结果】 采用正确有效的沟通技巧和方法帮助CJA建立了良好的编作沟通关系,在提升期刊品牌影响力、培训和维持作者群、增强编辑的职业成就感等方面对期刊发展起到一定的促进作用。【结论】 英文版期刊的编辑在语言润色工作中应高度重视与作者的良性互动,共同提升期刊的语言国际化水平和综合实力。