Classroom interaction in regular and special education middle primary classrooms in the United Arab Emirates

Samir Dukmak is an assistant professor in the Department of Special Education in the Faculty of Education at the United Arab Emirates University. The research reported in this article investigated the frequency, types of and reasons for student-initiated interactions in both regular and special education classrooms in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). These interactions were studied in relation to various variables, including levels of students' academic achievement, their gender, special educational needs and disability. Teacher-initiated interactions were also examined in the study. Eighteen boys and girls from two regular and two special education classrooms were observed. Various types of interaction were identified among students and the results reveal that boys in all groups initiated more interactions than girls, and that high-achieving boys and girls initiated more interactions than their low-achieving counterparts. The findings also reveal that teachers interacted differently with boys versus girls. The reasons prompting students to initiate classroom interaction are highlighted in this research.     

Selecting or Upgrading Software and Web Sites in the Classroom

Three issues are important considerations when selecting or updating software and/or web sites for children’s use in classrooms or computers labs. The first issue is computer integration: products need to mesh with the goals or standards identified by the school, district or state. Second, violence should be avoided, especially if children initiate and control the violence. Third, the developmental appropriateness of programs is an essential consideration. The outstanding software and web sites for 2004 are reviewed and illustrated with screen captions.     

‘Whoops,I forgot David’: children's perceptions of the adults who work in their classrooms

This article reports on the findings of a small‐scale study into the perceptions of 78 primary school children regarding the adults in their classrooms. The data show that children easily differentiate between their own class teacher and other adults, but report a substantial overlap between the activities of teachers and teaching assistants. Some express the difference in terms of status rather than role. Accounts call into question the notion that teaching assistants ‘help’ rather than teach and that there is a clear division of labour between them and teachers. Teachers and assistants are seen as working in an interdependent way, with each making a significant contribution to children's learning. The difficulties of using children's language as evidence are considered and it is concluded that the notion of a ‘remodelled’ primary school workforce needs to take into account the ways in which teachers and assistants maintain fluid working relationships.     

“Linux操作系统”混合式教学探索

该文讨论了“Linux操作系统”课程的线上线下混合式教学改革及效果。在现今信息高度发达的时代,计算机类课程的教学也应该充分发挥线上课堂的优势,弥补传统课堂的不足。中南民族大学计算机科学学院的“Linux操作系统”课程通过对教学模式、考核模式的逐步探索与改进,完成了线上线下混合式教学模式改革,并取得了较好的教学效果。     

提升高职院校多媒体教室管理水平的思考

随着高职院校多媒体教学系统的应用和普及,多媒体教室管理的水平亟待完善和提高。从多媒体教室管理人员的职责入手,论述多媒体管理人员应当具备的个人素质。总结了多年来从事多媒体教室管理工作的一些经验,提出了提升多媒体教室管理的几点建议。     

基于开放式理念的中小学校园规划设计研究——以闽清城关小学方案设计为例

当前中国采取的应试教育模式,在中小学教学空间上体现出“长外廊串联普通教室”的基本布局。闽清城关小学的设计在基本延续传统规划布局和空间设置的基础上,也在校园规划和教学空间的灵活性和适应性方面进行了积极的探索。在规划上,将院落、架空等开放、半开放空间纳入学习使用,成为教育教学的“第二课堂;引入“多义性非功能空间”的理念,优化教学空间,激发出更大活力,以可持续发展的理念应对未来开放式教学的需要。     

对多语转换现象的再思考

本指出了译界所存在的对翻译实质认识上的“误区”,认为翻译研究不应只是定位在对双语转换的研究上。中以实例说明多语转换不仅有存在的合理性,而且也促进了世界各大、小语种优秀化的互动交流;同时也指出了多语转换过程中可能出现的“译事之难”。中认为,多语转换研究应成为翻译理论研究的重要组成部分;译论研究应共同商讨、努力探索多语转换现象以发现多语转换原则。     

中美高校课堂案例教学的差异性分析

案例教学法是一种适应当前高校教学改革的教学模式。它作为一种自主创新型研究性学习方式,在我国高校课堂广泛运用。与美国高校课堂案例教学运用相比,我国存在教育理念、教学过程、教学内容方面的不足。要真正提高案例教学运用的实效性,高校课堂应该深化这一教学模式,体系化地应用于实际教学。