Emotional intelligence and academic attainment of British secondary school children: a cross-sectional survey

Trait emotional intelligence (trait EI) covers a wide range of self-perceived skills and personality dispositions such as motivation, confidence, optimism, peer relations and coping with stress. In the last few years, there has been a growing awareness that social and emotional factors play an important part in students’ academic success and it has been claimed that those with high scores on a trait EI measure perform better. This research investigated whether scores on a questionnaire measure of trait EI were related to school performance in a sample of British pupils. Results showed that high performing students had higher trait EI scores than low performing students and that some aspects of trait EI (motivation and low impulsivity) as well as total trait EI were significant predictors of academic achievement after controlling for prior attainment at school. Therefore, initiatives to develop the emotional and social abilities of schoolchildren might be worthwhile and more effective than concentrating solely on teaching and curriculum activities.     

The Influence of Approach and Avoidance Goals on Conceptual Change

ABSTRACT

Recently, conceptual change research has been experiencing a warming trend (G. M. Sinatra, 2005) whereby motivational and affective factors are being explored in the conceptual change process. The purpose of this study is to explore the 2 × 2 framework of achievement goal theory in relation to students’ conceptual change learning for a specific topic in biology, HIV/AIDS. The authors hypothesized that those with approach goals (mastery approach and performance approach) would demonstrate greater posttest conceptual change in their understanding of HIV/AIDS than those with avoidance goals. Participants were 206 undergraduates in introductory-level college biology courses. Participants were provided a 1,004-word HIV/AIDS text and were pre- and posttested on their conceptual knowledge of HIV/AIDS. Results of an analysis of covariance indicated that approach-oriented students demonstrated greater conceptual HIV/AIDS change at posttest than avoidance-oriented students. Results are discussed in light of the warming trend and achievement goal theory.     

A metacognitive-motivational model of surface approach to studying

In this study, we put forward and tested a model of how surface approach to studying during examination preparation is influenced by the trait variables of motivation and metacognition and the state variables of avoidance coping and evaluation anxiety. A sample of 528 university students completed, one week before examinations, the following self-report instruments: Work Preference Inventory, Metacognitions Questionnaire 30, Revised COPE Inventory, Evaluation Anxiety Scale and Approaches and Study Skills Inventory for Students. Structural equation modelling indicated that metacognition directly promoted surface approach to studying. In addition, both avoidance coping and evaluation anxiety directly promoted surface approach to studying and partially mediated the relationships between traits and surface approach to studying. The implications of these findings are outlined.     

Moral beauty and education

ABSTRACT

This article seeks to rekindle a version of the age-old view that aesthetic education can contribute to the development of virtue. It proceeds as follows. First, it introduces the moral beauty view, whereby the moral virtues are beautiful, and the moral vices ugly, character traits. Second, two ways in which moral beauty and ugliness can manifest themselves are considered: in people and in artworks. Third, it is argued that character education couched partly in aesthetic terms, and coupled with the cultivation of a sensitivity to moral beauty and ugliness, promise a solid and motivationally robust anchor for moral character development. It is suggested that introducing the notions of moral beauty and ugliness in our conceptual repertoire, coupled with the presence of moral beauty in our surroundings, can undergird more traditional pathways to virtue, whilst being congenial to the maintenance of virtue. Before closing, three objections against these suggestions are addressed, and some avenues for exploring the notion of moral beauty vis-à-vis moral motivation and education are proposed.     

A Plan of Classifying Pupils

ABSTRACT

Critical ethnic and gender gaps exist in college retention and graduation rates. Early achievement motivation may play an important role in student persistence. A sample of undergraduates completed surveys tapping motivation at the beginning (n = 591) and end (n = 232) of their first semester in college. African American and Caucasian students were more academically self-efficacious than Asian American students. Self-efficacy increased over the semester and was higher for male than female students at both time points. African American and Asian American students were initially more extrinsically motivated than Caucasian students; however, by the end of the semester, all ethnic groups were similar on extrinsic motivation. Female students were more extrinsically motivated and mastery oriented than male students who were more performance oriented. Performance goal orientations were negatively associated with grade point average whereas mastery orientation, intrinsic, and extrinsic motivation were positively associated with academic performance. Implications for higher education are discussed.     

The role of self-concept in medical education

Much research has acknowledged the importance of self-concept for adolescents’ academic behaviour, motivation and aspiration, but little is known about the role of self-concept underpinning the motivation and aspiration of higher education students in a specialised field such as medical education. This article draws upon a programme of research undertaken over the past three years examining the psychosocial determinants of success in educating home-grown doctors for regional communities. Interviews conducted with Australian medical students found that self-concept is a dynamic and multidimensional phenomenon that emerges through social activity and plays a crucial role in shaping their motivation and aspirations. For these students in a specialised field in higher education, self-concept not only influences their study performance, but also forms part of their personal and career development. Because of the significant level of interaction between the self and the social environment, the development of self-concept through a holistic and systemic facilitation of essential psychosocial drivers of success is essential in higher education.     

职业生涯规划对大学生学习动机的影响研究

采用学习动机问题自测量表和职业成熟度量表探讨大学生职业生涯规划的不同对其学习动机的影响。结果显示,大学生学习动机与其职业成熟度有一定的相关性,并且职业成熟度对学习动机有一定的预测力,说明大学生职业生涯规划影响其学习动机。     

远程学习中的学习意志力探析

当前对远程学习中的个体情志研究多集中于学习动机领域,而忽视了学习意志力的重要性。通过对学习意志力的阐述和其在远程学习中作用的分析,将学习意志力的评价分为自我能效、结果控制、情感控制和元认知四个方面,并通过问卷方式对远程学习者的意志力进行了调查分析,发现当前远程学习者具备基本的意志能力,但在情感控制和结果控制方面存在严重问题,对学习过程缺乏掌控力,有碍学习目标的实现。     

英语网络互评系统在教学中的运用

为了解网络同伴评价的优点和局限性以及学生对此的态度,笔者对高等院校应用英语专业的学生进行了实验和问卷调查,结果表明Web PALS系统是有效的,学生对于该系统多持支持肯定的态度。此外,本文还探讨了本次研究的局限以及对将来此类研究的启示。     

SCUBA Diving: Motivating and Mentoring Culturally and Cognitively Diverse Adolescent Girls to Engage in Place-Based Science Enrichment

Abstract

Many bright, talented girls from populations traditionally underrepresented in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) are underachieving or disengaged in school, despite having an interest in STEM. Qualitative research was conducted with teenaged girls from culturally and academically diverse backgrounds participating in an extracurricular scientific diving SCUBA program. The program provided opportunities for these girls to learn and apply STEM knowledge and SCUBA diving skills during research, service learning and place-based, hands-on projects. Findings suggest that motivation for STEM in teenaged girls increases when they are able to participate in real-life, place-based activities they find personally meaningful with other interest-based peers and mentors.