The influence of scaffolded computerised science problem solving on motivational aspects

ABSTRACT

The current study focused on scaffolding programmes, including cognitive and meta-cognitive components, for science problem solving in a computerised learning environment to identify their unique effects on aspects of student motivation. Using expectancy-value theory as a conceptual framework, the current study focused on two motivational aspects: intrinsic value and perceived cost. Four scaffolding components were identified (structural, reflective, subject matter and enrichment) and used in different configurations to construct four scaffolding programmes ranging from low support (Enrichment) to partial support (Operative and Strategic) to full support (Integrated). The participants were seventh-grade students (N?=?458) sampled from 15 different classes in 3 middle schools. The classes were randomly assigned to the five treatment groups (four ‘scaffolding programmes’ and one control). The intervention was conducted over approximately 6 months as part of the regular class curriculum. The first phase of the study was based on self-report surveys distributed twice to all participants, and the second phase was based on observations of a sub-sample (N?=?145). The findings indicated that the integrated group demonstrated the most adaptive patterns of motivation. Specifically, the integrated group was the only group that showed no decline in intrinsic value or increases in perceived cost. Both the strategic and integrated groups had higher levels of observed willingness to invest effort and reports of intentional learning when using the scaffolding software. The common feature of these groups is the reflection component, which implies that reflection and its combination with subject matter have positive effects on motivation.     

Communicative-based curriculum innovations between theory and practice: implications for EFL curriculum development and student cognitive and affective change

This qualitative study examines the influence of teacher conceptualisations of communicative language teaching on their actual classroom practice and student cognitive and affective change. The qualitative paradigm underpinned this research at the levels of ontology (multiple teacher realities), epistemology (interaction with, rather than detachment from, the respondents), and methodology through using an idiographic strategy (qualitative case study), instruments (qualitative interviews, participant observation and questionnaires), and data analysis technique (explanation-building). The results indicated that teachers who understood CLT and managed to materialise its principles into action significantly improved student language learning (cognitive change) and motivation (affective change). Moreover, traditional, structural and didactic teaching as well as communicative knowledge that was not translated into practice had almost a typical negative impact on student learning and motivation. Recommendations for curriculum development, teacher development, teacher training and future research are made.     

Encounters with action research in the african context: a case study in the school curriculum in lesotho

This article is based on an action research study undertaken in the African context, in Lesotho. It illustrates understandings and insights that developed in this context about action research by reference to the factors that influenced the comprehension and implementation of the method, reflections of the research team on the method, and the potential of the method to improve practice. It is argued that the method had potential to improve practice in this context, and that the contextualisation of action research by reflection on the method was essential.     

曲线上的定常角曲面

利用Frenet．Serret公式来讨论R^3中定常角的直纹面,给出了它们的特征分类．如果定常角曲面是具有r（s,1,）=σ（s）＋1,（cosa（s）·t（s）＋sina（s）·n（S））形式的切线面和法向曲面,则它们局部等距于平面或一类特殊的曲面．如果定常角曲面是具有,（s,v）=σ（S）＋v（cosα（s）·n（s）＋sinα·b（s））形式的法向曲面和副法向曲面,则它们局部等距于平面或柱面．     

国内近二十年来汉语学习动机研究述评

文章对近20年来（1990～2010）汉语学习动机研究的相关文献进行统计检索,在此基础上对国内汉语学习动机研究现状和趋势进行评述和分析。近20年来的国内汉语学习动机研究可分为早期和新时期两个发展阶段。新时期汉语学习动机研究呈现出一些显著特点,如研究数量呈上升趋势,研究内容向纵深拓展,研究对象侧重于在华高校留学生,研究方法以横断、静态研究为主,多采用问卷调查,研究以小样本为主。文章还提出目前汉语学习动机研究仍存在着研究视角狭窄、应用理论单一、研究对象受限、测试手段不完善等问题     

当代流行语的模因认知观

文章将当代流行语和模因结合起来从认知上探索现代流行语传播现象,分析认知理据在模因的四个生命周期同化、记忆、表达、传播阶段的作用.从认知角度分析模因,不仅为流行语的分析提供了一条新途径,而且为人们研究语言发展变化提供一些有益的启示和借鉴.     

基于享乐动机系统接受模型的居民冰雪运动意愿研究

为提升居民冰雪运动意愿,促进我国冰雪运动高质量发展,本研究运用文献资料、专家访谈、问卷调查和数理统计等研究方法,基于享乐动机系统接受模型,对我国居民的冰雪运动意愿和体验展开研究。结果表明:感知易用性对好奇心、快乐、控制和感知有用性产生影响;好奇心、快乐和感知有用性对运动意愿产生影响;好奇心、快乐和控制对沉浸产生影响。研究认为享乐动机系统接受模型在我国冰雪运动研究领域中有良好的适应性,也进一步突出了内部动机对冰雪运动意愿和体验产生的重要影响。因此应激发居民参与冰雪运动的内部动机,树立冰雪运动意识、提高冰雪运动技能、增强冰雪运动体验。     

Examining the Factor Structure of the Teachers’ Sense of Efficacy Scale

The authors examined the factor structure of the long and short forms of the Teachers’ Sense of Efficacy Scale (TSES; M. Tschannen-Moran &; A. Woolfolk-Hoy, 2001 Tschannen-Moran, M. and Woolfolk-Hoy, A. 2001. Teacher-efficacy: Capturing an elusive construct. Teaching and Teacher Education, 17: 783–805. [Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]) for practicing (n = 102) and preservice teachers (n = 270), comparing the responses to both forms of the TSES, and looked for differences in teachers’ efficacy with respect to experience and grade level taught. They found the 3-factor structure—efficacy for classroom management, instructional practices, and student engagement—to be appropriate for practicing teachers, but they found a single efficacy factor to be appropriate for preservice teachers. The long and short forms of the TSES produced similar means and reliability information, suggesting that either form is appropriate for use with preservice or practicing teachers. Last, they found that teachers with 10 or more years of teaching experience and those teaching at the elementary level reported significantly higher levels of efficacy than did preservice teachers or those teaching at the middle or high school levels, respectively.     

Students’ Needs,Teachers’ Support,and Motivation for Doing Homework: A Cross-Sectional Study

Self-determination theory provided the theoretical framework for a cross-sectional investigation of elementary and junior high school students’ autonomous motivation for homework. More specifically, the study focused on the role of teachers’ support of students’ psychological needs in students’ motivation for homework in the two school systems. The study also investigated the contribution of a match between teachers’ support and students’ expressed level of psychological needs to autonomous motivation for homework. The findings indicated that teacher support partially mediated the difference in autonomous motivation for homework between students in the two school systems. In addition, the findings suggested that whereas students’ with different level of expressed needs may perceive different levels of teachers’ support, and that teachers’ support might be more important for students who express higher level of needs, perceived teachers’ support of psychological needs was important for students’ adaptive motivation for homework, irrespective of their expressed level of needs.