Teacher change beliefs: validating a scale with structural equation modelling

The objectives of the study were to validate a substantiated Teacher Change Beliefs Model (TCBM) and an instrument to identify critical components of teacher change beliefs (TCB) in Malaysian secondary schools. Five different pilot test approaches were applied to ensure the validity and reliability of the instrument. A total of 936 teachers from 47 high-performing secondary schools completed the survey. Structural equation modelling was applied to test the models. Exploratory factor analysis was employed to identify the underlying factors, whereas confirmatory factor analysis was applied to test the measurement models. The analysis yielded a three-factor TCBM: (1) discrepancy, (2) efficacy and (3) principal support. The results demonstrated a good fit of the model: normed χ² = 3.156, Tucker-Lewis Fix Index = .987, Comparative Fix Index = .991 and Root Mean Square Error of Approximation = .048. The results also provided evidence for convergent validity, discriminant validity and construct reliability. The TCBM is an empirically tested model derived in a local Malaysian cultural education setting. It provides direction for practitioners in planning and designing training programmes of change management for school principals in the enhancement of TCB among teachers in schools. Besides, Teacher Change Beliefs Scale is a promising and welcome tool for both practitioners and researchers. With only nine items, it is easy to administer and not time-consuming.     

Politics,religion and social connections: pillars for progression among primary teachers in Jamaica

Perceptions about teacher progression among Jamaica's primary schoolteachers should force society to stop and ask itself several questions. Are these perceptions accurate? If not, how did these perceptions emerge and what can national leaders and those in positions of authority do to ‘manage’ if not resolve these perceptions? If there is any truth to them, a different set of questions need to be asked. How did things come to be like this? How can the perception of corruption and mistrust be minimised? What will be done differently going forward? Either way, there is a more fundamental question: Do the current perceptions among teachers mirror perceptions in other areas of public service? The answers to these questions are not easy. The main aim of this small-scale qualitative exploratory study was to identify and understand the perceptions of primary schoolteachers in Jamaica as regards progression to the rank of principal. The findings point to a number of perceived barriers including religious affiliation, political affiliation, ministry- and school-level politicking, social connections and predetermined outcomes. This study concludes that promotion on any basis other than merit is problematic and does not promote trust, openness and transparency, nor does it build confidence in those who are part of the system but themselves do not have such connections and/or affiliations.     

现代核心训练理念审视下传统太极拳技术原理及应用

运用文献资料法、专家访谈法与逻辑分析等科研方法,从太极拳的操作技术原理出发,借鉴现代核心稳定力量训练理念,论述太极拳操作技术与核心稳定力量训练的理与法及其对现代竞技运动的作用,旨在挖掘我国传统武术的技艺精髓,促进现代竞技运动水平的提高。结论:1)太极拳的操作技术原理与现代核心稳定力量训练理念相吻合。2)太极拳主要体现了平衡重心、能量转换和协调运作的机制。3)太极拳采取以腰部为核心的圈转、波浪和螺旋相结合的三维运动形式,强调在"意"的支配下进行有序运动。4)太极拳对现代竞技运动的功用主要体现在:加强"鞭打"、增进"旋转"、平衡身体、提高对抗、预防损伤、加强应变等能力。     

高职院校大学生满意度研究——基于2011年“国家大学生学习情况调查”数据分析

通过"国家大学生学习情况调查"网上调查平台,对全国14所高职院校、17435名学生进行了满意度调查。使用主成分分析法对16个满意度指标的权重进行了确定,求出各指标与总的满意度均值,绘制各指标象限分布表。通过分析可以看出,我国高职院校大学生满意度总体较好,但仍有进一步提升的空间。因此建议高职院校进一步提高教师教学水平、注重基础设施建设与利用以及重视教师与学生的课外互动。     

Bounding,An Accessible Method for Estimating Principal Causal Effects,Examined and Explained

Estimating treatment effects for subgroups defined by posttreatment behavior (i.e., estimating causal effects in a principal stratification framework) can be technically challenging and heavily reliant on strong assumptions. We investigate an alternative path: using bounds to identify ranges of possible effects that are consistent with the data. This simple approach relies on fewer assumptions and yet can result in policy-relevant findings. As we show, even moderately predictive covariates can be used to substantially tighten bounds in a straightforward manner. Via simulation, we demonstrate which types of covariates are maximally beneficial. We conclude with an analysis of a multisite experimental study of Early College High Schools. When examining the program's impact on students completing the ninth grade “on-track” for college, we find little impact for ECHS students who would otherwise attend a high-quality high school, but substantial effects for those who would not. This suggests a potential benefit in expanding these programs in areas primarily served by lower quality schools.     

基于主成分分析的高职学生核心竞争力指标研究

运用主成分分析、权重分析的方法对高职大学生核心竞争力的调查数据进行分析,结果表明:职业基础能力、职业核心能力、身心素质和职业素养是高职学生核心竞争力的构成要素,其权重由高到低依次为职业核心能力、身心素质、职业基础能力和职业素养。     

大学生的阅读需求与馆藏建设

通过对上海电机学院图书馆2011年图书流通清单数据的挖掘和分析,提出了大学生阅读需求的主分量分析与提取方法.比较了常用的“使用效率”和新建议的“加权使用效率”提取大学生阅读需求主分量方法的结果,认为该方法是提取大学生阅读需求主分量的更好方法.根据本科生阅读需求,提出一种改善馆藏结构以适应该需求的方法.     

及早确认学生在学习中的主体地位

儿童尽管未臻成熟，但同样已具有“能动的、“自由自觉的”人这一属类的基本特性。及早确认学生在学习中的主体地位对于促进学生的持续发展和素质教育的顺畅进行等具有深远意义。成人应通过营造宽松环境、建立主体性教育机制去确立儿童学习的主体地位。     

论我国80年代前期小说中的性描写

本文以中外文学创作中性描写的优秀传统作为参照，比较系统地梳理了中国80年代前期小说创作中性描写的发展、演变与审美特征，论述了特定时代、文化语境中作家在性描写中所存在的艺术局限。     

基于二阶段DEA博弈交叉效率模型的港口生产效率研究

为合理评价我国港口生产效率,运用数据挖掘对投入和产出变量进行因子分析,对原始数据进行主成分提取,确保新指标信息不重叠,降低变量间相关关系对评价结果的影响。鉴于经典DEA模型和DEA交叉效率模型不具备全排序功能、效率值不是帕累托最优、无法处理被评价对象间竞争关系的缺陷,引入博弈交叉效率对DEA交叉效率模型进行改进,并证明博弈交叉效率解的存在及其唯一性。实证结果表明,优化模型能有效处理评价排序和择优问题,效率与产出间的相关性明显提高,优化模型的合理性和准确性得以验证。为进一步分析投入和产出对港口效率的影响,构建港口资产总额与效率之间的矩阵和吞吐量与效率之间的矩阵,结合效率结构特点提出港口生产效率改善措施及发展定位。