ethanporcaro/eric-fulltext-meta huggingface dataset:
Mapping of Student Sustainable Development Education Knowledge in Malaysia Using Geographical Information System (GIS)
Author: Mahat, Hanifah
Date: 2018-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Geographic Information Systems,Sustainable Development,Secondary School Students,Environmental Education,Sampling,Foreign Countries,Questionnaires,Health,Knowledge Level,Educational Environment,Nongovernmental Organizations,School Location,Ethnicity,Gender Differences,Statistical Analysis

This article aims to examine the levels of education for sustainable development (ESD) knowledge among students in secondary schools according to zones in Malaysia by using GIS mapping. The five main zones of the study were the north zone, the south zone, the east coast zone, the central zone, and the East Malaysia zone. This quantitative form of study used a questionnaire as research instrument. Two types of sampling techniques were applied, namely stratified sampling for school selection and simple random sampling for choosing respondents from the selected schools. The three ESD knowledge variables measured in this study were knowledge of ESD content, knowledge of environmental education and knowledge of health. The study results showed that in general the levels of sustainable development education knowledge of secondary school students in all zones were high for ESD content knowledge while moderate for environmental education knowledge and health knowledge. Meanwhile, the GIS map clearly indicates the levels of knowledge among students seemed high in the north zone, central zone and east Malaysia zone, at moderate levels in the south zone, and low in the east coast zone. In conclusion, there are differences between the zones in terms of levels of knowledge of sustainable development education, and this gives an indication that increasing sustainability-related activities in these zones with the participation of all parties--especially schools, local communities and non-governmental organisations--may disseminate sustainability knowledge and practices at all age levels and all school locations.
The Impact of Model Parameterization and Estimation Methods on Tests of Measurement Invariance with Ordered Polytomous Data
Author: Koziol, Natalie A.
Date: 2018-04-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Computation,Tests,Error of Measurement,Comparative Analysis,Statistical Analysis,Maximum Likelihood Statistics,Least Squares Statistics,Monte Carlo Methods,Goodness of Fit,Models,Factor Analysis,Test Bias

Evaluations of measurement invariance provide essential construct validity evidence--a prerequisite for seeking meaning in psychological and educational research and ensuring fair testing procedures in high-stakes settings. However, the quality of such evidence is partly dependent on the validity of the resulting statistical conclusions. Type I or Type II errors can render measurement invariance conclusions meaningless. The present study used Monte Carlo simulation methods to compare the effects of multiple model parameterizations (linear factor model, Tobit factor model, and categorical factor model) and estimators (maximum likelihood [ML], robust maximum likelihood [MLR], and weighted least squares mean and variance-adjusted [WLSMV]) on the performance of the chi-square test for the exact-fit hypothesis and chi-square and likelihood ratio difference tests for the equal-fit hypothesis for evaluating measurement invariance with ordered polytomous data. The test statistics were examined under multiple generation conditions that varied according to the degree of metric noninvariance, the size of the sample, the magnitude of the factor loadings, and the distribution of the observed item responses. The categorical factor model with WLSMV estimation performed best for evaluating overall model fit, and the categorical factor model with ML and MLR estimation performed best for evaluating change in fit. Results from this study should be used to inform the modeling decisions of applied researchers. However, no single analysis combination can be recommended for all situations. Therefore, it is essential that researchers consider the context and purpose of their study.
Utilizing the Intercultural Effectiveness Scale (IES) to Enhance International Student Travel
Author: Bates, Alicia
Date: 2017-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Cultural Awareness,Travel,Measures (Individuals),Individual Development,Undergraduate Students,Foreign Countries,International Education,Service Learning,Program Descriptions,Pretests Posttests

This paper highlights how one institution used the International Effectiveness Scale (IES) to support intercultural exploration and development for short-term undergraduate travel programs. Authors discuss utilization of the IES to explore students' intercultural development, how it can be applied to create an individualized action plan, and how it can identify intercultural goals during university-sponsored international travel opportunities. The strengths of the IES will be highlighted alongside a discussion of how intercultural learning and personal growth are central to the intercultural exploration process.
An Examination of Science High School Students&apos; Motivation towards Learning Biology and Their Attitude towards Biology Lessons
Author: Kisoglu, Mustafa
Date: 2018-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: High School Students,Student Attitudes,Student Motivation,Learning Motivation,Science Instruction,Biology,Foreign Countries,Rewards,Attitude Measures,Anxiety,Psychological Patterns,Student Interests,Scores,Correlation,Gender Differences,Instructional Program Divisions,Statistical Analysis,Measures (Individuals)

The purpose of this study is to examine motivation of science high school students towards learning biology and their attitude towards biology lessons. The sample of the study consists of 564 high school students (308 females, 256 males) studying at two science high schools in Aksaray, Turkey. In the study, the relational scanning method, which is a descriptive scanning model, was utilized, with data obtained using the &quot;Academic Motivation Scale for Learning Biology&quot;, consisting of four subdimensions (intrinsic motivation, amotivation, extrinsic motivation-career and extrinsic motivation-social) and 19 items, and the &quot;Biology Science and Course Attitude Scale&quot;, consisting of three subdimensions (interest, pleasure and anxiety) and 23 items. Data were interpreted in accordance with arithmetic mean, percentage, frequency and significance levels. The significance level was taken as 0.05. As a result of the research, the arithmetic means of students' intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation-career subdimensions were found to be above the scale mean. Students' mean score in the amotivation and extrinsic motivation-social subdimensions were below the scale mean. However, in each of the subdimensions on the attitude scale, students' arithmetic means were average. The highest relation among the subdimensions of the motivation and attitude scales was found to be between the intrinsic motivation and interest subdimensions and the intrinsic motivation and pleasure subdimensions. Nevertheless, as a result of the evaluation conducted in terms of students' gender and class level, it was determined that there was a significant difference between their gender and class levels in the subdimensions of motivation and attitude scales.
Recent Personnel Reforms of Public Universities in China and in Italy: A Comparison
Author: Ha, Sha
Date: 2018-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Educational Change,State Universities,Comparative Education,Standards,Excellence in Education,Foreign Countries,Institutional Autonomy,Governance,Political Power,Case Studies,Financial Support,Technological Advancement,Brain Drain,Educational Finance,Science Education,Technology Education,Humanities,Economic Climate,Personnel Policy

Purpose of the present research is an investigation of the most recent personnel reforms of higher education institutions in China and in Italy. A one-to-one comparison between the two realities would have been unrealistic, given the enormous differences between the two Countries in size and historical development. We focused our analysis on some basic issues common to both higher education institutions, such as the degree of the academic autonomy from the political power in the academic governance and the quality of the knowledge production and transfer to the society. The Sun Yat-Sen and the Guangzhou Universities in the Guangdong Province of China, and the Universities of Padua and Ca' Foscari in the Venetian Region of Italy, have been chosen as case studies. In China the personnel reforms introduced by the central government in the period 1995-2014, were accompanied by a relevant financial support by the central and regional authorities, which helped the national universities to attain high standards of excellence in the technological domain. Those remarkable financial investments by the central and regional authorities are paying off, contributing to the technological advancement of the Country. As for the Italian public universities, a very innovative reform law was introduced by the &quot;Ministry of Education, University and Research&quot; in December 2010, which granted a high level of governance autonomy to those institutions. Unfortunately, the great financial crisis that hit the Country in the same period of time caused a strong reduction of the public funds to universities and a consequent brain drain of young post graduates toward Northern Europe and North America. In spite of this temporary shortage of funds, Italian public universities have maintained their high level of excellence in science, technology and humanities, as evidenced by the increasing number of their bilateral cooperation agreements, concerning student mobility and joint research activities with foreign universities all over the world, China included.
Letting the Cat out of the Bag: EFL College Students&apos; Attitudes towards Learning English Idioms
Author: Al-Houti, Shorouq K.
Date: 2018-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: English (Second Language),Second Language Learning,Second Language Instruction,Figurative Language,Student Attitudes,Females,Foreign Countries,Likert Scales,Questionnaires,Learning Strategies,Preferences,Age Differences,Statistical Analysis,Teaching Methods,Undergraduate Students

Learning idioms is an uphill battle for many language learners. Thus, this quantitative study aims to shed light on English as Foreign Language (EFL) college students' attitudes towards idiom learning. Specifically, the study is interested in revealing their attitudes towards (1) the importance of idiom learning, (2) the difficulties of idiom learning and (3) the learning strategies of idioms. Additionally, the study attempts to determine if there is an influence of age and/or year of study on the students' attitudes towards learning English idioms. Participants were 218 female EFL college students at the College of Basic Education (CBE) in Kuwait. A five-point Likert-scale questionnaire was employed to obtain data for the study. Data analysis of the questionnaire uncovered the learners' preferred strategies and sources of difficulties when learning idioms. Results showed that students had positive attitudes towards English idiom learning. Significant differences in the results were found when age was taken into account.
Examining the Relation between Social Values Perception and Moral Maturity Level of Folk Dancers
Author: Dogan, Pinar Karacan
Date: 2018-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Dance,Folk Culture,Statistical Analysis,Correlation,Social Values,Competition,Moral Values,Moral Development,Political Attitudes,Gender Differences,Income,Measures (Individuals),Universities,Foreign Countries

The purpose of the present study is to examine the relation between social values perceptions and moral maturity levels of folk dancers, and evaluate this relation in terms of some variables. The relational screening model was used in the study. The &quot;Multi-dimensional Social Values Scale,&quot; which was developed by Bolat (2013), and the &quot;Moral Maturity Scale,&quot; which was developed by Sengün and Kaya (2007), were used as the data collection tools. The sampling of the study consisted of 251 volunteering individuals who were selected with the Random Selection Technique from among the individuals who participated in Interuniversity Folk Dances Championship in 2016-2017. In the scope of the study, the descriptive statistics were computed for social values perceptions and moral maturity levels of the folk dancers. In evaluating the data of the study, frequencies and percentage distributions were used as statistical method. In addition, the t-test was used for paired groups, the one-way variance analysis (ANOVA) was used for multiple groups, and the Pearson Correlation Analysis was used to detect the relation between the variables. The p value of significance was taken as 0,05 in different tests. When the findings of the study were examined, it was determined that the social value perceptions and moral maturity levels of the folk dancers who participated in Interuniversity Folk Dances Championship were at a high level, and there was a significant relation in positive direction between the perceptions in all sub-dimensions of the Multi-Dimensional Social Values Scale and the moral maturity levels of the participants. In this context, it is possible to claim that as the moral maturity levels of the folk dancers increase, so do their social values perceptions. When the social value perceptions were analyzed in terms of sub-dimensions, it was determined that the highest perception was in religious values sub-dimension, and the lowest perception was detected in political values. When the findings of the study were analyzed in terms of demographical variables, it was determined that there were significant differences between some of the sub-dimensions of the Social Values Scale and the &quot;gender, the faculty studied at, folk dances experience, income level and the place where the participant spend most of his/her life&quot; variables.
A Proposed Perspective for Developing Science Curriculum for the Upper Primary Grades in Accordance to Saudi Arabia&apos;s Vision for 2030: An Analytical and Descriptive Study According to Delphi Method
Author: Alhomairi, Abdulqadir Obaidallah A.
Date: 2018-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Science Curriculum,Curriculum Development,Elementary School Science,Elementary School Students,Grade 5,Grade 6,Educational Policy,Delphi Technique,Educational Objectives,Expertise,National Curriculum,Scores,Curriculum Implementation,Curriculum Evaluation,Teaching Methods,Likert Scales,Statistical Significance,Questionnaires

Saudi Arabia's Vision for 2030 in development is exceedingly concerned with curriculum development. It believes that the current curriculum does no longer support the students' preparation for both life and work. Therefore, the present study aimed to reach a consensus by a set of educational experts on the importance of providing the science curriculum for the fifth and sixth primary grades with a content that can help achieve the requirements of the Kingdom's Vision for 2030 in development. In addition, it aimed to study what perceptions these educational experts have towards developing the science curriculum that can better achieve this vision. The study followed the descriptive approach and the use of Delphi method. It was applied to a group of (28) educational experts over three rounds that started on October 8, and ended on November 9, 2017. Findings indicated that the provision degree of the requirements of Saudi Arabia's Vision for 2030 to develop the science curriculum for the upper primary grades was too weak. Responses of educational experts concerning developing the science curriculum to achieve the requirements of this vision, at the end of the third round, ranged between strongly agree and agree. At the end, a perspective for the development of the science curriculum was proposed depending on the viewpoints of the educational experts who participated in the present study.
Cyber Mentoring in an Online Introductory Statistics Course
Author: Rashid, Mamunur
Date: 2018-03-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Online Courses,Statistics,Educational Technology,Technology Uses in Education,Mentors,Computer Mediated Communication,Learner Engagement,Program Effectiveness,Grades (Scholastic),Conventional Instruction,Comparative Analysis,College Mathematics,College Students,Hypothesis Testing,Scores,Statistical Analysis

Students in an online statistics course were prone to become increasingly disengaged as the semester progressed. In Spring 2015, we took a proactive measure to retain student engagement by introducing a cyber mentoring session. We describe the framework, operation and effectiveness of cyber mentoring in improving students' learning experience and performance. With the implementation of cyber mentoring, the percentage of online students passing the class increased from 76% to 94%, and the mean score of online students increased from 74.6 to 83.2 (out of 100), while the corresponding parameters did not change significantly for students in the face-to-face classes.
Assessment of the Basic Law Lesson Consistent with the Opinions of Social Studies Pre-Service Teachers
Author: Haçat, Sibel Oguz
Date: 2018-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Student Attitudes,Preservice Teachers,Social Studies,Qualitative Research,Case Studies,Semi Structured Interviews,Questioning Techniques,Law Related Education,Foreign Countries

The aim of the present study is to identify the approach of social studies pre-service teachers to legal topics in the &quot;Basic Law&quot; lesson within the Social Studies Teaching Bachelor's Degree Program. A case study based on qualitative research methods was employed. The study group consisted of 57 social studies pre-service teachers. Data was obtained using semi-structured interview forms consisting of open-ended questions. The interview form was administered twice, at the beginning and at the end of the semester. Data obtained was analysed using content analysis. At the beginning of the semester, the motives for teaching of the Basic Law lesson were identified in seven different categories. Consistent with the opinions of the pre-service teachers, it was determined that these categories were related to 26 subcategories. However, the motives for teaching the Basic Law lesson were indicated in 10 different categories at the end of the semester. Consistent with the opinions of the pre-service teachers, it was determined that the latter categories were related to 29 subcategories. In conclusion, it was demonstrated that the content of the lesson influenced students' opinions. Based on the results of the study and the literature review, there are a limited number of studies that focus on the teaching of legal topics in social studies education in our country. Thus, in the future, further studies should be carried out in this field.
The Use of Qualitative Case Studies as an Experiential Teaching Method in the Training of Pre-Service Teachers
Author: Arseven, Ilhami
Date: 2018-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Qualitative Research,Case Studies,Teaching Methods,Preservice Teachers,Experiential Learning,Preservice Teacher Education,Foreign Countries,Research,Learning Theories,Comparative Analysis

This study presents the suitability of case studies, which is a qualitative research method and can be used as a teaching method in the training of pre-service teachers, for experiential learning theory. The basic view of experiential learning theory on learning and the qualitative case study paradigm are consistent with each other within the framework of such principles as subjectivity, environmental interaction, holism, contextuality, constructivism, and access to information (theorizing). The concrete experience mode of the experiential learning cycle corresponds to the data collection stage of qualitative case studies, the reflective observation mode corresponds to the data analysis stage, and the abstract conceptualization mode corresponds to the theorizing stage. Accordingly, this study notes that qualitative case studies can be used as a teaching method in the school experience course for the pre-service training of pre-service teachers. It also explains in detail the steps to be taken when this new method is used in the teaching process, the preparations that should be done prior to the employment of the method, and what should be considered in the application of the method.
Examination of the Relationship between Coach-Athlete Communication Levels and Perceived Motivational Climate for Volleyball Players
Author: Avci, Kübra Seden
Date: 2018-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Team Sports,Athletic Coaches,Athletes,Interpersonal Relationship,Females,Questionnaires,Motivation,Statistical Analysis,Interpersonal Communication,Correlation

The aim of this study was to reveal the relationship between the athlete-coach relationship and the motivational climate created by the coach. In this study, relational survey model was used. The study sample included 96 female volleyball players who are active players at Turkey Women Volleyball 3rd League. &quot;The Coach-Athlete Relationship Questionnaire&quot; and &quot;The Perceived Motivational Climate in Sports Scale&quot; were used to collect the data. The data were examined by using descriptive statistics, Pearson Correlation Analysis and Canonical Correlation Analysis. Correlational analysis revealed that the perceived mastery motivational climate, in which role sharing in team, co-operation with teammates, and improvement are emphasized, were associated with experiencing higher levels of closeness, commitment and complementarity with coach. Also, according to canonical correlation results, the coach-athlete relationship and motivational climate data sets account for 13.32% of variance in the first canonical function. These findings indicate that three interpersonal construct of complementarity, closeness, and commitment are high for this volleyball group, and also they perceive their training and competition environment as mastery-oriented. These results support the only first hypothesis of research that the coach-athlete relationship is positively associated with the mastery-oriented motivational climate. In this context, it can be said that coach-athlete relationship may affect the motivations of athletes in team sports.
Comparison of Engineering Education in Norway and China
Author: Sun, Xiaodong
Date: 2018-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Comparative Education,Engineering Education,Undergraduate Students,Study Abroad,Majors (Students),International Cooperation,Educational Improvement,Standards,Professional Education,International Schools,Universities,Bilingual Education,Second Language Instruction,English (Second Language),Communication Skills,Decision Making Skills,Skill Development,Career Development

The Washington Accord is an internationally recognized agreement in engineering education of undergraduates. China joined the agreement as the 18th member country in 2016. The exploration technology and engineering major of China University of Petroleum has obtained the professional certification from international engineering education system and will adopt the international standards of personnel training that is substantially equivalent to the Washington Accord to train students. Based on the personal experience of two years of study abroad combining with the major, the author compares the difference of engineering education at home and abroad. At the same time, according to the domestic actual situation of education and the overall situation of students, the author gives corresponding opinions and improvement methods.