Leading Undergraduate Research Projects in Mathematical Modeling

Abstract

In this article, we provide some useful perspectives and experiences in mentoring students in undergraduate research (UR) in mathematical modeling using differential equations. To engage students in this topic, we present a systematic approach to the creation of rich problems from real-world phenomena; present mathematical models that are derived from calculus, but can be suitably modified to solve more complex problems; and finally provide pointers on how to train students through the UR process that can help to impact student’s future academic and non-academic careers.     

Sensors,programming and devices in Art Education sessions. One case in the context of primary education / Sensores,programación y dispositivos en sesiones de Educación Artística. Un caso en el contexto de Educación Primaria

The pedagogical integration of computing is interesting in educational contexts based on the contributions of Seymour Papert and Wing’s concept of computational thinking. Integrating arts in education can lead to the design of activities using Scratch combined with devices. The main goal is to evaluate the integration of computational thinking in art education making use of technological resources, sensor cards and minicomputers, with a student-centred pedagogical approach. This research assesses the results of a control group of 35 students and an experimental group of 109 students in four different schools, using Mann-Whitney’s U-test for independent samples assessing ‘Active Learning’, ‘computational concepts’ and ‘fun’ scales. Applying data triangulation, and consistent with design-based research, the results of interviews and focus groups reinforced the results obtained in the aforementioned test, providing validity to the study. There are advantages regarding student interest, motivation and commitment related to programming technologies in art and education, particularly pedagogical sessions with music. Handling devices, sensors and Raspberry Pi provides participating students with a factor of commitment and enthusiasm, with significant improvements. Working with coding and devices brings an additional advantage in the development of computational thinking and digital competence. The results show an increase in creativity and artistic competence related to the ability to create music from the activities and technological resources described in the technological intervention.     

估算能力对儿童数感发展的影响研究

基于对六年级儿童的估算能力进行的调查分析,本研究得到这样的初步结论:数感只是在一定程度上依赖于估算。不同估算能力的儿童在做数感类题时使用的策略相当多,但有所偏重,并对数感错误类型的影响上存在较为明显的差异。     

建立“信息交换用古汉字编码字符集”的必要性及可行性

建立“信息交换用古汉字编码字符集”,对于古籍整理及文字学研究等的现代化建设有重大意义,是实现该领域现代化的必要条件。从古汉字的特点、字量、分类及编码方式等方面,讨论建立古汉字编码字符集的可行性,认为对古汉字进行单独编码是完全必要和可行的,综合分类法应是优选的分类方法。     

网络传播中公民新闻的崛起与启示

公民新闻是指来自公民的非专业新闻报道。随着互联网的发展以及数码相机和DV的普遍使用,网络公民新闻已经兴起。网络公民新闻对传统新闻造成了巨大的冲击与挑战,同时也带来一些问题,值得我们深入探讨和思考。     

"公共新闻"理念与地方电视台的社区化

随着中国电视发展格局的演变,地方电视台的生存空间越来越被压缩。地方电视台要获得自身的发展,必须要在理念上有所突破,而公共新闻理念对地方电视台具有某种程度的适应性。在这种理念的指引下,地方电视台得社区化是一个有着广阔前景的发展取向。     

US 2012 Live: when the classroom becomes a newsroom

In November 2012, 300 students came together in the Media School at Bournemouth University in the UK to report the US Presidential Election. Over the course of 10 days, students published 176 articles on a rolling news website, garnering more than 20,000 hits. On election night itself, students produced 10 h of live coverage on both TV and radio, airing 30 pre-recorded video packages and 35 pre-recorded radio packages. This experiential project adopted a so-called ‘live case’ methodology that encapsulated a high degree of application and a certain level of structure, which allowed for the ‘variety and uncertainty’ or reality to intervene. It also empowered and enabled students to reflect on and evaluate their individual experiences in light of their own learning styles. This paper will discuss the challenges and successes experienced during this experiential project, and will provide a nine-step guide on how others could replicate a similar project.     

新闻学与传播学关系初探

本文尝试把新闻学与传播学结合起来考察。两学科定义有别、根源有异。新闻学属人文学科，但也应汲取传播学的学术精髓；传播学属社会科学，也须具备新闻学的人文关怀。在构建社会主义和谐社会的大背景下，两者的关系须是“相互促进”，共谋“和谐发展”。     

张君劢新闻思想研究之我见

张君劢在中国历史上是个颇有争议的思想家、政治家，他的一生充满着矛盾。他不断地批评国民党，也反对共产党。过去对张君劢的研究主要局限在思想、政治领域，事实上他在新闻事业上也很有见地。是个学型的新闻工作。本力图在新闻真实性、言论自由和言论监督、新闻工作应有的战斗精神、对中国前途命运的探索、新闻前瞻性意识等方面对张君劢的新闻思想进行再认识。     

Learning sorting algorithms through visualization construction

Recent increased interest in computational thinking poses an important question to researchers: What are the best ways to teach fundamental computing concepts to students? Visualization is suggested as one way of supporting student learning. This mixed-method study aimed to (i) examine the effect of instruction in which students constructed visualizations on students’ programming achievement and students’ attitudes toward computer programming, and (ii) explore how this kind of instruction supports students’ learning according to their self-reported experiences in the course. The study was conducted with 58 pre-service teachers who were enrolled in their second programming class. They expect to teach information technology and computing-related courses at the primary and secondary levels. An embedded experimental model was utilized as a research design. Students in the experimental group were given instruction that required students to construct visualizations related to sorting, whereas students in the control group viewed pre-made visualizations. After the instructional intervention, eight students from each group were selected for semi-structured interviews. The results showed that the intervention based on visualization construction resulted in significantly better acquisition of sorting concepts. However, there was no significant difference between the groups with respect to students’ attitudes toward computer programming. Qualitative data analysis indicated that students in the experimental group constructed necessary abstractions through their engagement in visualization construction activities. The authors of this study argue that the students’ active engagement in the visualization construction activities explains only one side of students’ success. The other side can be explained through the instructional approach, constructionism in this case, used to design instruction. The conclusions and implications of this study can be used by researchers and instructors dealing with computational thinking.