Tobephobia experienced by teachers in secondary schools: An exploratory study focusing on curriculum reform in the Nelson Mandela Metropole

Abstract

Because of its history from apartheid to democracy, the aspiration to reform schools is a recurrent theme in South African education. Efforts to reform education in schools based on the outcomes-based education (OBE) curriculum approach created major challenges for policy makers in South Africa. The purpose of this exploratory research was therefore to determine whether secondary school teachers lack the professional competence to cope with curriculum reform and whether this incompetence results in them experiencing Tobephobia (TBP). The qualitative research method was used to conduct this investigation. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with 50 teachers in 25 public secondary schools in the Nelson Mandela Metropole. In terms of their responses, it was evident that the teachers’ concerns about their professional competencies associated with the OBE curriculum had a negative impact on their ability to implement curriculum changes in their classrooms. The comparison of OBE with the syllabus by the teachers evoked their bias towards the traditional syllabus approach in maintaining the quality of education for all learners. Because of the historical bag gage associated with the syllabus in South Africa, it is recommended that a standards approach to the curriculum be considered by the Department of Education to resolve the curriculum problems in secondary schools. The responses from the teachers in this exploratory study once again affirmed the existence of TBP in secondary schools.     

Statistical Power for School-Based RCTs With Binary Outcomes

Abstract

This article develops a new approach for calculating appropriate sample sizes for school-based randomized control trials (RCTs) with binary outcomes using logit models with and without baseline covariates. The theoretical analysis develops sample size formulas for clustered designs where random assignment is at the school or teacher level using generalized estimating equation methods. The article focuses on the impact parameter pertaining to rates and proportions rather than to the log odds of response, which has been the focus of the previous literature. The article also compiles intraclass correlations (ICCs) for the clustered design for a range of binary outcomes using data from seven education RCTs. These ICCs and the power formulas are then used to conduct a power analysis using a provided SAS macro; the key finding is that sample sizes of 40 to 60 schools that are typically included in clustered RCTs for student test score or behavioral scale outcomes will often be insufficient for binary outcomes. A key reason is that the potential for precision gains from regression adjustment is likely to be smaller for binary outcomes.     

Book Reviews

This article is a presentation and analysis of the 2012 budget narrative of the King County (Washington) Library System, the winner of LJ/Cengage's 2011 Library of the Year Award. The author's narrative analyzes both the language and character of this important budget document, demonstrating its place in the appropriate library function of building its relationship with its various constituencies.     

Small group relational satisfaction scale: Development,reliability and validity

A 12‐item Relational Satisfaction Scale (RSS) was developed and examined for reliability and validity. Reliability (Cronbach's alpha) for the RSS was high at .89 (M = 43.91, SD = 6.89). In Study I, full time employees (N = 228) reported attitudes about group work, assertiveness, responsiveness, perceptions of feedback and relational satisfaction in work groups. All four variables were positively correlated to relational satisfaction. In Study 2, the RSS along with measures of loneliness, cohesion and consensus were administered to 210 students involved in on‐going decision‐making projects. Positive relationships were found for relational satisfaction and cohesion and consensus, with a negative relationship for loneliness. Implications for future research are discussed.     

Designing and Implementing an Information Literacy Instruction Outcomes Assessment Program

As information literacy instruction outcomes assessment in academic libraries continues to increase as a key indicator of pedagogical value both within libraries and throughout their parent institutions, the call for the design and implementation of such assessment continues to rise as well. Ideally, this process is supported with adequate time, funding, and personnel. The reality, however, is not always so accommodating. This case study relates the Brooklyn Campus Library of Long Island University's experience with developing a start-from-scratch outcomes assessment of information literacy instruction in its undergraduate core curriculum.     

Assessing the Effectiveness of Online Library Instruction with Finance Students

ABSTRACT

Many academic librarians use online information literacy tutorials as an alternative or a supplement to in-class library instruction. Tutorials created with streaming media software such as Camtasia Studio have become increasingly popular. Librarians at a mid-sized Midwestern university have created several such tutorials demonstrating various library resources. The value of streaming-media tutorials is supported by key learning theories such as cognitive load theory, dual coding theory, and multimedia learning theory. However, studies measuring the impact of online tutorials on student learning of information-literacy skills have shown mixed results. The authors tested the effectiveness of an online information literacy tutorial on a group of undergraduate business students. About 140 students in three undergraduate finance classes rated a Value Line online tutorial. Students were also invited to complete a follow-up survey online with Blackboard. This survey measured student knowledge retention of Value Line and interest in online tutorials. The results showed that while students viewed the tutorial positively, they preferred face-to-face instruction from a librarian. Also, while most students could locate the proper links in Value Line, only 30 percent were able to successfully look up a company. Indicators point to a future for online instruction coexisting with, yet not replacing, traditional classroom library instruction.     

中文版大学生被看重量感量表的信效度检验

目的：引进及修订大学生被看重感量表,并检验其信效度。方法：使用UniversityMatteringScale（uMS）的中文译本,对612名大学生进行测试,通过验证性因素分析检验该量表的构念效度,使用学业自我效能感量表、社交适当担忧量表、中文版学校归属感量表检验其效标效度。结果：中文版大学生被看重感量表是一个3因素结构,各维度的内部一致性分别为觉察0．73、重要0．83、依赖0．70;大学生被看重感与学业自我效能感、学校归属感呈正相关,与社交适当担忧呈负相关（p〈0．01）。结论：中文版大学生被看重感量表具有较好的信效度。     

大学生领悟社会支持与生活满意度的关系研究

为了考察大学生领悟社会支持与生活满意度之间的关系,本文采用《领悟社会支持量表》(PSSS)和《生活满意度量表》(SLS)对368名被试大学生进行问卷调查。结果如下:(1)领悟社会支持和生活满意度在人口学变量上的分析表明,性别在领悟社会支持及其各要素上存在主效应;性别和专业在家庭支持上存在交互效应;专业在生活满意度上存在主效应。(2)领悟社会支持和生活满意度的相关分析表明,大学生的生活满意度与领悟社会支持总分、家庭支持、朋友支持及其他支持均呈显著正相关。(3)生活满意度对领悟社会支持及各因素的回归分析表明,家庭支持、朋友支持和其他支持均能显著预测大学生的生活满意度。通过分析,得出如下结论:大学生领悟社会支持是大学生生活满意度的重要影响因素。     

文科女大学生领悟社会支持及其与主观幸福感的关系

采用领悟社会支持量表和主观幸福感问卷对451名文科女大学生进行问卷调查。结果表明：文科女大学生的社会支持良好;大二的社会支持得分显著高于大一的;社会支持得分在出生排行上存在显著差异;生活满意度和积极情感对社会支持有显著的预测力;对室友、经济状况、自己、朋友、家庭和社会关系的满意度对社会支持有显著的预测力。     

大学生手机学习态度探索性因素分析

对调查中所获数据采用探索性因素分析方法讨论了大学生手机学习前置性态度的影响因素,研究结果表明:感知有用性、感知易用性、学习内容服务及学习支持服务是大学生手机学习态度的四大影响因素。在上述因子的影响因素分析与探讨中提出了针对手机移动学习开展的合理化建议。