Revisiting Zhang’s scale of transactional distance: refinement and validation using structural equation modeling

Transactional distance has been defined as barriers to students’ engagement with learning in the online environment. This research updates Zhang’s (2003) scale of transactional distance, which quantified the extent of the barriers, in light of the massive changes in today’s web-based learning environment. The resulting revised scale of transactional distance (RSTD) is a parsimonious version with 12 elements (compared to 31 original) that measure the transactional distance between student and teacher, student and student, and student and content. The RSTD has excellent factorial validity and reliability, yields better fit statistics, and is easier and less time-consuming to apply. The transactional distance values are unique predictors of student satisfaction, which is correlated to learning and persistence (a major concern with massive open online courses). This information can form the basis for a systematic approach to improving the design of today’s contemporary open, flexible, distance education courses and thus serve as a valuable tool for researchers and educators alike.     

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.     

Decomposing trait and state variability in general and specific subjective task value beliefs

Expectancy-value researchers have theorized about the extent to which subjective task value components are more trait-like or more state-like. Using a bifactor representation of subjective task value data, the current study aimed to examine the degree of trait-state variation in general subjective task value, specific attainment value, specific intrinsic value, and specific utility value. The relations of both between and within components of the subjective task value constructs with academic self-efficacy beliefs were also examined. Results indicate that, in an undergraduate life science learning context (n = 169), the general subjective task value factor was the most trait-like of the subjective task value constructs. With respect to specific value beliefs, attainment value was composed of nearly equal amounts of trait and state variation, intrinsic value was composed of the largest amount of trait variation, and utility value exhibited the most state-like variation. Additionally, findings suggest that trait-like and state-like general subjective task value, trait-like specific intrinsic value, and state-like attainment value were positively associated with self-efficacy. Finally, we propose a model of trait- state dynamics in subjective task value.     

The validity of student ratings of teaching quality: Factorial structure,comparability, and the relation to achievement

Student ratings are widely used to assess teaching quality in primary and secondary education. This necessitates a thorough examination their validity and reliability in such contexts. To this end, we present validity evidence for using student ratings of teaching quality based on their factorial structure, comparability across grades and subjects, and relation to achievement. Based on data from the 2019 Trends in Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) and its national extensions in Norway (N = 3951 5th graders and N = 4575 9th graders), we could confirm a theoretically assumed three-dimensional factor structure (i.e., classroom management, cognitive activation, and supportive climate). Moreover, classroom management and supportive climate were more comparable across grades and subjects then cognitive activation. Finally, classroom management was associated with achievement across all groups, whereas other dimensions showed mixed results, especially across grades. Overall, the findings indicate that students, especially in Grade 9, can provide a valid assessment of teaching quality.     

How do thinking styles and STEM attitudes have effects on computational thinking? A structural equation modeling analysis

Computational thinking (CT) is vital for success in numerous domains. However, the nature, definition, and scope of CT are ill-defined, and research on how best to develop CT is very limited. This study focused on how thinking styles and STEM attitudes have effects on computational thinking. Using a proportionate stratified random sampling procedure, 1195 students from two universities were surveyed. A structural equation modeling analysis showed that students' thinking styles and STEM attitudes directly predicted their computational thinking skills and that thinking styles mediated the relationship between STEM attitudes and computational thinking skills. Thinking styles and STEM attitudes are strong predictors of CT skills. Based on the results, we recommended that the conceptualization of CT be broadened to reflect its trans-disciplinary nature within the context of STEM education. This study adds to the limited theoretical understanding of CT and CT-predictors in higher education, which has been studied much less than in K-12 education.     

Lyapunov-based design of locally collocated controllers for semi-linear parabolic PDE systems

The design problem of collocated feedback controllers is addressed in this paper for a class of semi-linear distributed parameter systems described by parabolic partial differential equation (PDE), where a finite number of local actuators and sensors are intermittently distributed in space. A Lyapunov direct method for the exponential stability analysis of the resulting closed-loop system is first presented for the system, in which the first mean value theorem for integration and the Wirtinger's inequality are employed. The corresponding stabilization condition is then derived through the analysis result. Finally, the proposed design method is implemented on the feedback control of a fisher equation and its effectiveness is evaluated through simulation results.     

绿色供应链管理视角下港口绿色绩效及竞争力研究——基于沿海港口的问卷数据

伴随港口竞争的加剧,港口的可持续发展越来越受到重视。从全球绿色供应链管理的视角出发,选取沿海三大港口群的中高层管理者为调查对象,运用两阶段的结构方程模型对当前港口供应链管理过程中港口的绿色绩效相关关系进行验证。结果表明:港口的外部绿色合作和内部绿色实践不仅对于港口绿色绩效存在明显的正反馈,还对提升港口竞争力有正向反馈;绿色政策法规的制定与实施对于港口外部绿色合作与内部绿色实践具有正反馈。并基于此给出我国港口在绿色实践过程中提升绿色绩效的相应启示。     

近红外光谱分析原理、检测及定标技术简介

近年来,近红外光谱技术以其独特的优越性越来越受到人们的关注,已成为发展最快、最引人注目的分析技术之一.近红外光谱技术对样品的分析要通过校正模型的建立来实现,实验结果的准确性与定标模型的可靠性有直接的关系,所以如何建立一个准确、可靠的定标模型在近红外光谱技术使用中至关重要.     

一类n次方程的几种变换研究及其应用

方程与方程的根之间的关系研究是方程理论研究中的重要内容。本文通过改变方程根的形式,导出方程是如何变换的系列命题,并加以应用。     

智慧城市建设视角下资源环境承载能力提升路径研究

基于熊彼特创新理论,论证了智慧城市建设对资源环境承载能力的影响机制,利用陕西省2015—2019年的面板数据,结合结构方程模型（SEM）与模糊集定性比较分析法(fsQCA),探索智慧城市建设各维度对资源环境承载能力的影响及多维度间“联合效应”与“互动关系”。研究发现：①智慧环境、智慧人力资本和智慧经济对资源环境承载能力有显著正向效应。②智慧经济在推动资源环境承载能力可载中起到了关键作用。③存在经济拉动型、环境治理型、绿色发展型和创新驱动型等四条智慧城市建设路径可以提升资源环境承载能力,具体可归纳为产业升级推动式和环境规制拉动式。④在一定情形下智慧经济与智慧治理、智慧环境之间具有替代关系。本研究深化了现有智慧城市建设效应理论研究,并为以提升资源环境承载能力为导向的智慧城市建设提供了差异化的方案。