Inspired by Statistics?

This article considers being inspired by statistics as both a learner and a teacher. It looks particularly at a task involving research of Minard's Map, a statistical representation, to create and present a statistical task for a learner. It describes how the use of imagery, and the enthusiasm that developed as the map and its context were explored by the teacher, were passed on to the learner.     

Making Connections: Learning and Teaching Chemistry in Context

Even though several studies have reported positive attitudinal outcomes from context-based chemistry programs, methodological obstacles have prevented researchers from comparing satisfactorily the chemistry-learning outcomes between students who experience a context-based program with those who experience a content-driven program. In this narrative inquiry we are able to address the question: how do the recalled experiences of a student and her teacher in context-based and concept-based chemistry programs compare? From the student’s unique perspective of experiencing both programs with the same teacher, we have constructed our collective account around four themes; namely, the extent to which the student makes connections between chemistry concepts and real-world contexts, developing research independence through engaging in extended experimental investigations related to contexts, learning chemistry concepts through contexts, and conceptual sequencing in a context-based program. The student reported real-world connections between chemistry concepts and contexts, found her engagement in the context-driven tasks interesting and productive, and identified connected sequences of concepts across the contexts studied. Despite difficulties for teachers who are required to shift pedagogies, the student’s lived experiences and outcomes from a context-based program provide some encouragement in working through these issues.     

The teaching–research nexus and the importance of context: a comparative study of England and Sweden

The teaching–research nexus has been studied by many researchers, mainly looking at pedagogic links and direct benefits arising from the interaction of both activities. The paper takes a comparative approach, looking at the relationship between teaching and research in four universities from two different countries. This paper argues that contextual factors are vital in shaping the nature of the relationship and also identifies differences between disciplines in how these contextual factors may be understood. In particular, the contrasting structural and political contexts provided by two different national settings are seen to have a crucial role in shaping institutional activity.     

Establishing a Competence Profile for the Role of Student-centred Teachers in Higher Education in Belgium

The increasing importance of constructivism in higher education has brought about a shift in pedagogy from a focus on the teacher to a focus on the student. This has important implications for teaching and assessment. A student-centred pedagogy implies a different role for the teacher. What exactly does student-centred teaching require from teachers’ actual teaching practice? What is expected from them in order to teach in a student-centred way? It is in order to respond to these questions that this research project has been carried out establishing a core competence profile of student-centred teachers in higher education. Qualitative data were collected by means of semi-structured in-depth interviews with teachers from different institutions for higher education in Belgium, known for their student-centred way of teaching. This research method is innovative compared to the methods used for existing competence lists in the literature, which were usually developed on the basis of conversations with pedagogical experts. By exploring practice and having teachers participate in the development of a competence list, the acceptance of a competence profile is much higher. The result of the project is a validated competence profile which takes into account the critiques on existing competence lists. The competence profile provides a further insight in the functioning of teachers within a student-centred pedagogy and can be used as a starting point for the educational development of teachers within this pedagogy.     

Introducing teaching cases with face-to-face and computer-mediated discussion: Two multi-classroom quasi-experiments

Two studies were conducted in multisection introductory child and adolescent development classes to determine effects of introducing abbreviated teaching case studies that were then discussed either in face-to-face or online formats. Students receiving teaching case studies in either format in both classes showed improved ability to critically analyze probe and final cases compared to control participants. Both case study groups in the child development class also showed increased application of psychological concepts in analyzing new cases. No differences in course knowledge were expected as a function of condition and none were found. Hypothesized case-related increases in efficacy for teaching also were not observed. Results were interpreted as supporting a case analysis approach in educational psychology classes and use of online methods for presentation and discussion of abbreviated cases.     

The problems of the beginning teacher in the Arab schools in Israel

This article focuses on the problems of beginning teachers in the Arab sector in Israel. The participants were 146 beginning teachers, 5 mentors, and 5 advisors. The research measurements included an open-ended question and a semi-structured interview. Our research revealed many different cultural aspects related to most of the problems of the beginning teachers. These problems are accompanied by difficult conflicts within the beginning Arab teachers who are exposed to western democratic educational models which are partially rejected by traditional Arab culture and society. The expectations of the teacher to become an agent of change in Arab society are not fulfilled in the first year, in which he/she tries to fit into the school, as well as the culture from which she/he comes and to which he returns. The problems which the beginning teachers report are related to didactic and disciplinary knowledge, adjustment to the organizational climate and culture of the school, problems of work overload, and individual differences among the pupils.     

题画诗欣赏在国画教学中的地位和作用

在美术教育中,对绘画整体精神的获取和综合认识能力的培养尤其重要。在中国画教学中,对题画诗的赏析,可拓宽学生的文化知识视野,帮助学生建立健全正确的中国画审美知识结构,是面向素质教育的需要,是高师美术教育为基础教育培养优秀师资人才的需要。因此,高师美术教育题画诗欣赏课的教学、对提高学生对中国画欣赏课的教学能力,文化修养,审美素质,创造能力,以及形象思维和想象思维能力的培养,都起着一定的作用。     

秘书实训教学新探

为适应社会发展的需要，不断更新教学理念、改革教学模式、改进教学方法，是广大教育工作者与时俱进的历史任务。该文主要探讨了加强秘书实训教学的重要性以及方法、途径等问题，以求达到更理想的教学效果，培养出更多的现代秘书人才。     

建构主义学习理论及其对教学的影响

建构主义学习理论在 2 0世纪 90年代的兴起 ,被称作教育心理学中所发生的一场革命 ,它强调以学生为中心 ,视学生为认知主体 ,教师是学生主动建构意义的合作者和促进者。本文拟从知识的本质、学习的发生及师生的角色三个方面分析介绍建构主义学习理论及其对教学活动所产生的影响。     

大学英语多媒体网络教学的思考

多媒体网络教学是信息革命的必然产物。随着这门新兴技术的出现,大学英语教学模式也相应地发生了变化,多媒体网络技术是当代教师必须掌握的技能。