Tracking Pre-service Teachers’ Changing Conceptions of Good Science Teaching: The Role of Progressive Reflection with the Same Video

A CD-ROM consisting of videos of two lessons by different teachers demonstrating exemplary science teaching was used to elicit, develop and track the changing conceptions of good science teaching of student teachers enrolled for the one-year Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) at several stages during the programme. It was found that the videos acted as an effective probe to elicit student teachers’ conceptions and had significant impact on those conceptions at different stages of the programme through the provision of teacher models demonstrating exemplary teaching. The experience has extended novice teachers’ awareness of alternative teaching methods and approaches not experienced in their own schooling, broadened their awareness of different classroom situations, provided proof of existence of good practices and prompted them to reflect on their current conceptions of good science teaching. Most importantly, the strategy of asking student teachers to watch the same videos on three separate occasions at different times of the course was recognized by them as a crucial element in facilitating their reflection on their changing conceptions of good science teaching. PGDE is the standard form of pre-service teacher education in Hong Kong. It provides qualified teacher status within Hong Kong. Student teachers enrolled for the PGDE have completed a relevant undergraduate degree.     

学习科学：推动教育的深层变革

当前教育信息化蓬勃发展,在备受赞赏的同时也屡被质疑。至于原因,恐怕还是“人究竟是怎么学习的,怎样才能促进有效学习？”这一根本性问题依然未得到彻底解决。该文从教育信息化的发展现状谈起,剖析目前存在的问题及解决方法,然后仔细梳理了学习科学的发生、发展和研究现状,指出脑科学与学习、基于大数据的学习分析和技术增强的学习等学习科学研究将有助于推动教育从更深的层面发生变革。     

脑科学与类脑研究概述

脑科学和类脑智能技术是两个重要的前沿科技领域;二者相互借鉴、相互融合的发展是近年来国际科学界涌现的新趋势。脑科学研究对大脑认知神经原理的认识,提升了人类对自身的理解和脑重大疾病的诊治水平,也为发展类脑计算系统和器件、突破传统计算机架构的束缚提供了重要的依据。文章概括性地总结了国际脑科学和智能技术领域的总体进展,未来15年的发展趋势和有望解决的重大科学问题,以及我国在这两领域发展的特色和优势。     

认清优劣 创建一流

最近,获得2005年度中国国际科技合作奖的中科院上海神经科学研究所所长蒲慕明教授,应科技部之邀在京做了“关于在中国构筑世界一流研究所的若干思考”的报告,他在报告中指出：     

模块化IC的构建与高校图书馆的服务创新

文章首先阐释了模块化理论概念,然后对模块化理论在IC构建中的应用情况进行介绍,最后对模块化IC构建的作用和基本思路进行了分析.     

基于平板电脑的电子课本在香港英语课堂教学实施的个案研究

随着科技的快速发展,基于平板电脑的电子课本以其独特的优势,被视为电子学习新的形式和体现,被越来越多地应用于课堂教学中。它的教与学效果如何?是否真正促进了课堂教学?是否真正提高了学生的学习兴趣、学习效果?这些问题有待研究。本案例来自香港教育局支持的实验计划,课程根据香港课程发展议会颁发的英文课程指南进行设计。实证研究主要采用课堂观察、问卷课查法对学生的学习方法和观感进行分析。研究发现:电子课本在电子教材设计、学生学习兴趣和动机、学生知识与技能获得、学生深层学习方法及课堂参与度等方面都起到了明显的促进作用,其在课堂教学中的应用有着良好的发展前景,有望在内容和功能上整合现有课堂中的一些电子教具,最大化地发挥优势,为新的课堂学习环境提供新的学习支持。     

A longitudinal study of the supply and demand for physics and chemistry teachers in Kansas

The continuing crisis in the supply and demand for high school physics and chemistry teachers has been documented by a series of national surveys. There is a need, however, to augment these surveys with accurate longitudinal data which identifies the age-specific variables of science teacher survival rates, incoming number of new teachers, and the rate at which science teachers change age cohorts. These three variables were used in a five year longitudinal study of all the physics and chemistry teachers in Kansas to project the need for teachers in 1985 and in 1990. The study indicated that the teachers 40 years and older comprised 33.5% of the physics/ chemistry teacher population in 1979–1980 and the percentage will steadily increase to 60.8 by 1990. The high turnover rate of science teachers 29 years old and younger is also contributing to the shortage of qualified physics and chemistry teachers. The cohort component population projection method outlined in this study is recommended for use in other states to document the age specific characteristics of the science teacher population.