Variation in class size,the class size paradox,and some consequences for students

Even where a total allocation of resources is fixed, it is often possible to vary the distribution of the given resources. This distribution can have important, if sometimes hidden, consequences. In the case of universities, considering the mean class size as given, three nonobvious consequences of the amount of variation in class size are examined. (1) The average class size experienced by students is directly related to the amount of variation in class size. (2) Overall student attendance is inversely related to the amount of variation in class size. (3) Overall student participation time is directly related to the amount of variation in class size. The logic of these relationships is explored, and data on 49 departments and interdisciplinary programs at one university are used to illustrate the nature and extent of the class size paradox at one university.     

Scaling-up Sustainable Land Management Practices through the Concept of the Rural Resource Centre: Reconciling Farmers' Interests with Research Agendas

Abstract

Purpose: Formal agricultural research has generated vast amount of knowledge and fundamental insights on land management, but their low adoption has been attributed to the use of public extension approach. This research aims to address whether and how full participation of farmers through the concept of Rural Resource Centre (RRC) provides new insights for the development of alternative and farmers-based extension methods.

Design/Methodology/Approach: Using the Concept of RRC, this research assesses the role of farmers in on-farm demonstrations and scaling-up of land management practices, and investigates effective ways to enhance beneficial interactions between researchers, extension workers and farmers in view of improving adoption.

Findings: The findings suggest that farmers can effectively participate in demonstrations and scaling-up of agricultural practices. This participation is enhanced by judicious incentives such as higher crop yields that motivate farmers and influence adoption. The current success of the approach stems from the fact that farmers, extension workers and researchers jointly implement the activities and their different aims were achieved simultaneously: scientific results for researchers, better agricultural practices for extension workers, and economic success and free choice for farmers.

Practical implications: This research concludes that farmers have the capacities to play an innermost role in demonstrations and scaling-up of agricultural practices. However, there is a need to build and strengthen their capacities to facilitate their participation and contribution.

Originality/Value: The article demonstrates the value of the preponderant role of farmers in on-farm demonstrations and scaling-up practices by exhibiting the beneficial interactions between researchers, extension workers and farmers.     

抽象代数中循环群的研究

本文系统地讨论了循环群的存在问题、数量问题、构造问题及其结构与性质,并从中体现了抽象代数研究代数系统的一般方法。     

关于单一简单问题的学生团体反应时间分布参数估计与运用

介绍在计算机局域网环境条件下进行单一简单问题测试,收集学生团体的反应时间分布数据并加以处理的基本方法,给出时间反应分布参数的矩估计结果,初步探讨学生团体反应信息的有效运用问题。     

从美学角度解读健美操的魅力

健美操是一项除能强身健体之外,还蕴含着很多美的体育运动项目.从健美操运动的魅力出发,结合美学的特点解读健美操运动的艺术美、自然美和社会美.     

从“西西弗”到“普罗米修斯”——个人反抗与群体反抗

作为“苦难与阳光之子”的加缪,在自身的创作中体现出独特的反抗精神,爱与信仰是其反抗精神的实质。在他的哲学随笔《西西带神话》和《反抗者》中,希腊神话人物“西西弗”与“普罗米修斯”是独具特色的反抗者形象,他们分剐为“个人反抗的代表”和“群体反抗的代表”,二者能够以独特的角度折射和再现出加缪的反抗精神。     

绘画治疗在大学新生心理健康筛查及干预过程中的效果研究——以保山中医药高等专科学校为例

本研究首先采用大学生人格问卷(UPI),对某高等院校的2012级学生进行筛查,随机从1类学生中抽出样本分成两个组,第一组(实验组)用绘画团体辅导进行干预,第二组(控制组)不进行任何干预。同时,从"无症状"高职新生群体中随机选12人为对照组。研究采用前后测实验设计,对被试在干预前后HAMD的得分进行差异检验以及绘画作品特点分析。研究表明:绘画团体辅导对于该高校学生抑郁症状的缓解有显著效果,且绘画作品特点分析与实验数据的结果总体上较为一致。     

Group Work Management in the Classroom

This study aims to provide a better understanding of teachers' managing roles when using group work in the classroom. Building on Granström's 2 concepts of leadership and teachership, a more specific aim is to investigate teachers' managing roles when using group work and how teachers' presumptions affect the way in which they manage the pedagogical mode. The results show that teachers' managing roles influence teachers' willingness to use group work. Teachers may be unwilling to use group work based on their presumption that it teaches students only collaboration abilities and not subject knowledge. This may be a supplemental yet significant explanation as to why group work continues to decrease in classrooms.     

Supporting pre-service teachers to enhance the effectiveness of their classroom practice through engaging with the ‘voice’ of their pupils

The research reported here was focussed on accessing the perceptions of pre-service teachers regarding the critical factors which support highly effective learning in schools in the United Kingdom. Their perceptions were arranged into a taxonomy so that they can be used as a starting point for their reflections on the observations they make of teaching and learning in schools with the aim of enhancing the effectiveness of their own teaching. The choice of technique used to access the perceptions was driven by the desire to provide the pre-service teachers with a method that they could use themselves to engage with the ‘voice’ of their own pupils regarding the factors which support effective learning. The engagement of pupil voice has become increasingly significant in understanding effective pedagogy and in securing more personalised approaches to learning in United Kingdom school contexts.     

Parental belief and parental engagement in children’s learning

This article reports on a small scale study, examining the influence of parental faith belief on parental engagement with children’s learning. The literature surrounding parental engagement and the impact of familial belief on children’s outcomes is examined. It is clear from work in the US that familial faith belief has an impact; however, the previous literature is almost entirely quantitative in nature and does not reflect the faith make up of the UK. The article then reports the results of an online survey of parents, examining parental perception of the impact of belief, of faith/belief group and other issues on their engagement with their children’s learning. Analysis of the results are presented, and contextualised for the UK.