Exemplifying definitions: a case of a square

In this study we utilize the notion of learner-generated examples, suggesting that examples generated by students mirror their understanding of particular mathematical concepts. In particular, we explore examples generated by a group of prospective secondary school teachers for a definition of a square. Our framework for analysis includes the categories of accessibility and correctness, richness, and generality. Results shed light on participants’ understanding of what a mathematical definition should entail and, moreover, contrast their pedagogical preferences with mathematical considerations.     

University Graduates with Learning Disabilities Define Success and the Factors that Promote It

ABSTRACT

The concept of success has been investigated before, primarily with an emphasis on explanatory factors among highly successful individuals. Voices of individuals with any form of disability are generally missing from this discourse. This qualitative study examined definitions of success as well as the factors that promote it amongst graduates with learning disabilities from a university faculty of education, thereby inviting an inclusive dialog around a heretofore socially and educationally exclusive topic. A participatory action framework was chosen allowing the participants to take an active role in the enquiry. This approach was a natural offshoot of the community of learners that the graduates had participated in during their studies. While success was defined as a multifaceted concept accounted for by multiple factors, many of the findings aligned with those reported in previous studies. However, several unique themes emerged; success as a relative concept, ‘paying it forward,’ and the disability as a driving force. Instances of overlap between definitions and factors emphasised inherent connections between beliefs and actions. Practical implications for support services for students with special needs, in higher education, are considered in light of the findings.     

《菜根谭》中元话语对语境的构建功能

元话语实现了语言交际中的人际及语篇功能,有助于显示无意识的语言选择和社会语境的关系。分析明人洪应明的《菜根谭》来阐述元话语对特定语境的构建和体现功能,说明元话语在交际过程中传递着与交际情景有关的语用信息,在特定语境中对于表达发话者的话语意图,顺利地完成交际任务发挥着重要作用。     

国外过渡语僵化研究综述

自1972年Larry Selinker将"僵化"这一概念引入二语习得领域以来,它便倍受广大研究者的青睐,现在僵化已经从一个单一的概念发展成为一个复杂的多面组合体。文章旨在对三十七年来的僵化研究从定义、原因和实证三个方面进行回顾,以求理清僵化研究的研究脉络,从而对僵化研究现状有更清楚的认识。     

Categorising and defining popular psychological terms used within the youth athlete talent development literature: a systematic review

Inconsistencies in the use and definition of psychological terms within the talent development literature have been identified. To advance the scientific field, the creation of a shared language is recommended. This review aimed to systematically (1) identify terms used in empirical studies to describe psychological components purported to facilitate athletes’ development; (2) analyse the definition and meanings of these terms; and (3) group, label, and define terms into meaning clusters. A systematic review using a narrative approach to synthesise information was conducted. A comprehensive literature search of SPORTDiscus, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, and ERIC was completed in May 2015. In total, 21 empirical studies, published between 2002 and 2015, met the inclusion criteria and were included in the narrative synthesis. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the findings. Identified psychological terms were categorised as psychological skills or psychological characteristics. Psychological skills were defined as athletes’ ability to use learned psychological strategies (e.g., self-talk) to regulate and facilitate the enhancement of psychological characteristics. Psychological characteristics were defined as predispositions that impact upon athlete development (e.g., self-confidence). Despite being relatively enduring and consistent across a range of situations, psychological characteristics can be regulated and enhanced through the use of psychological skills.     

社交称谓语界定及其特征分析

社交称谓语在言语交际中起着重要的作用,社交称谓语使用的正确与否决定了言语交际能否顺利进行。本文论述社交称谓语的界定及特征分析,以期对社交称谓语有进一步的认识。     

基于多语境的相关词自动提取系统的设计与实现

利用语料库、释义词典、用户检索日志作为识别相关词的语境，设计并实现相关词自动提取系统。实验结果表明，虽然面向相同的基本词汇集合，但是基于不同语境提取的相关词之间的重复率很低，各个结果间的互补性很强，说明结果整合非常有必要。在本系统中，通过直接整合途径构建最后的相关词词表。     

Defining the quality of higher education around ethics and moral values

The context of higher education across the world currently presents evidence of university failures. These failures are evident in areas such as governance, financial and risk management, conduct of senior leaders and quality assurance issues surrounding international education. Having this in mind, the present paper argues the need to add a new definition (to what is already known) of quality. The conceptual approach proposed by the authors takes into account ethics and morals as key virtues of the higher education sector. The literature shows that it is still difficult to find agreement on a single definition of the concept. University leaders and quality assurance professionals define quality in many different ways. However, despite the ethical challenges in the current higher education landscape, little has been discussed on the connection between quality, ethics and moral values. Therefore, the authors provide the unexplored relationship between these concepts.     

How teachers define and respond to child abuse: The distinction between theoretical and reportable cases

Teachers are considered to be among those who are well-placed for the detection and prevention of child abuse. Yet little attention has been given to the definitions teachers use in deciding which cases to process. The paper draws on a larger study of Ontario women teachers. Information from 264 elementary teachers and 47 principals was collected in three phases: exploratory interviews, a survey, and focused interviews. A key part of the survey involved 10 vignettes designed to determine how teachers define abuse, how much experience they have had in dealing with such situations, and what action they took in each case. The findings demonstrated that teachers included a broad range of behaviors in their own “theoretical” definitions, but preferred informal intervention over formal reporting. Although there is no statistical relationship between definitions and reporting, it seems clear that the decision to report involves the interplay of definitions, institutional response, and teachers' experiences with a range of reactions and personal trials. Reporting is also complicated by teachers' disciplinary role, by their concerns for establishing reasonable grounds, and by the perception that some cases can be handled more effectively by the school, without the intervention of Child Protection Services (CPS).