The Framing Discussion: Connecting Student Experience with Mathematical Knowledge

This article introduces the framing discussion, an informal discussion of a mathematical problem that takes place at the beginning of a lesson or unit. The purpose of the framing discussion is to assess student knowledge, motivate student interest, and to serve as a basis for guiding students to more formal mathematical knowledge. The article discusses the design criteria and the discourse moves necessary to execute an effective framing discussion.     

What do distance language tutors say about teacher motivation?

Research into motivation in education mainly centres on students’ learning motivation. This article reports on an interview study of teacher motivation with the aim of investigating the effects of student-related factors and tutors’ personal factors on the motivation of language tutors in the distance learning context. Findings from the study indicate that external sources of influence include students’ engagement in learning English, motivation to learn English, progress made, foundation in English and appreciation of tutors’ teaching, while tutors’ internal factors are their self-efficacy in teaching, reflection and self-initiated professional development, interest in the profession of teaching English as well as their sense of achievement. Analysis of the data also suggests that more concrete measures are needed to counteract the demotivating effects from these two dimensions. Implications and suggestions are discussed with regard to enhancing tutor motivation more effectively.     

Formula student as part of a mechanical engineering curriculum

Formula Student (FS) is a multi-university student design competition managed by the UK Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Students are required to demonstrate and prove their creativity and engineering skills through the design, manufacture and financing of a small formula style race car. This paper seeks to explore the educational value that derives from the FS activity through a series of semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders. Through the analysis of the interview data, it was found that the FS activity supported development of student skills and competencies in the following areas: use of engineering knowledge to support the application of existing and emerging technology; application of theoretical and practical knowledge to the solution of engineering problems; development of technical and commercial management skills; development of effective interpersonal skills, including communication skills; and demonstration of personal commitment to professional development. In addition, a number of areas for implementing ‘good practise’ have been identified. The information herein supports educators in their responsibility to help meet the needs of the engineering industry for high quality graduates.     

Determinants of timely completion: the impact of Bachelor's degree programme characteristics and student motivation on study progress

Timely completion of university degree programmes is a topic of growing concern to higher education institutions and their students. This paper reports on a study about the impact of degree programme characteristics and student motivation on study progress. The setting for the study is a Dutch law school. Data on degree programme characteristics, student ability, motivation, academic performance and academic pressure were collected from 168 first-year students six months after the start of their studies. Analysis of the effects of degree programme characteristics and students' initial motivation on study progress shows that study progress mainly depends on ability, timely completion goals and transparency of assessments. The study also shows that transparency of assessment procedures considerably lowers fear of failure and academic pressure.     

Conative Feedback in Computer-Based Assessment

Feedback is an important educational tool that can support learning and assessment. This article describes types of conative feedback that can support the student's conation, will, volition, or motivation. Any of these types of feedback can be presented to the student before, during, or after an educational activity or a test question. Experimental results found higher student scores using conative feedback during computer-based assessment than without feedback.     

青少年社会化阅读动机研究:以上海初高中生微信阅读为例

结合未成年读者传统阅读动机量表、数字阅读动机的新特点以及社会化阅读的主题特性,本文以上海初高中生微信阅读为例,考察青少年的社会化阅读动机问题。问卷调查分析表明:①青少年社会化阅读具有多维性特征,涉及三大类别六个维度,分别为内在性动机、社交性动机和成就性动机;②社交性动机是青少年开展社会化阅读活动最为主要的动机,其“社会交往”维度包含“阅读对现实社交的促进作用”和“基于虚拟阅读社区本身的社交”两个层面;③不同青少年群体在不同动机维度或维度组合上的表现强度有所差异,同时年级和所在区县这两个人口统计学变量对青少年的总体动机和部分动机维度具有显著影响。表4。参考文献82。     

沈阳体育学院体育教育专业排球专修学生选课动机与学习现状的调查与研究

采用问卷调查法,从学生选课动机及学习现状等方面进行研究,了解沈阳体育学院体育教育专业排球专修学生的选课动机、学习现状、教学设施以及学生的实践能力等方面进行研究,为改进体育教育专业排球专修教学及学科建设提供一些参考依据。