ethanporcaro/eric-fulltext-meta huggingface dataset:
Investigating High School Students' Understanding of Chemical Equilibrium Concepts
Author: Karpudewan, Mageswary
Date: 2015-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: High School Students,Secondary School Science,Chemistry,Scientific Concepts,Grade 12,Foreign Countries,Science Tests,Intervention,Scores,Statistical Analysis,Concept Formation,Private Schools,Teaching Methods

This study investigated the year 12 students' (N = 56) understanding of chemical equilibrium concepts after instruction using two conceptual tests, the &quot;Chemical Equilibrium Conceptual Test 1&quot; (&quot;CECT-1&quot;) consisting of nine two-tier multiple-choice items and the &quot;Chemical Equilibrium Conceptual Test 2&quot; (&quot;CECT-2&quot;) consisting of four structured questions. Both these tests were administered before and after the intervention. Students' responses to the items in both the instruments indicated limited understanding of the various concepts related to chemical equilibrium. Less than 50% of the students provided correct responses to four of the nine items in the &quot;CECT-1.&quot; The total scores in the &quot;CECT-1&quot; ranged from 0 to 8 with a mean score of 4.14 (out of a maximum of 9). In the &quot;CECT-2&quot; the total scores ranged from 7 to 17 with a mean score of 11.0 out of a maximum score of 22. Almost half the number of students (44.6%) scored less than 50% of the total marks in the &quot;CECT-2&quot;; only 0% to 42.9% of students scored the maximum possible marks for each of the four items while achievement in all four items of the &quot;CECT-2&quot; was below 50%. The findings will be valuable and assist teachers in planning their instruction on chemical equilibrium by taking into consideration students' preconceptions about the topic.
How Do Turkish Middle School Science Coursebooks Present the Science Process Skills?
Author: Aslan, Oktay
Date: 2015-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Middle Schools,Textbooks,Science Process Skills,Science Education,Elementary School Science,Science Curriculum,Qualitative Research,Content Analysis,Science Activities,Grade 5,Grade 8

An important objective in science education is the acquisition of science process skills (SPS) by the students. Therefore, science coursebooks, among the main resources of elementary science curricula, are to convey accurate SPS. This study is a qualitative study based on the content analysis of the science coursebooks used at middle schools. In the present study, 653 science activities presented in 10 Turkish science coursebooks used for teaching science at the 5th to 8th grade were analyzed. The findings show that activities in the coursebooks are in the planning and starting skill level of SPS. The overall investigation of the science coursebooks revealed that the SPS recommended in science curriculums are not reflected in the science coursebooks used in middle schools. Skills like variables determination and controlling-changing variables are either included at the lowest rates or not at all in the science coursebooks employed. In addition, the representation of each skill varies according to the grade, publisher, and unit.
&quot;Public-Based-Learning&quot;: The Place of Publics in Exploring Environmental Controversies for Pedagogical Purposes
Author: Mélard, François
Date: 2015-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Teaching Methods,Supervisors,Stakeholders,Foreign Countries,Natural Disasters,Emergency Programs,Problem Based Learning,Social Problems,Higher Education,Seminars,Group Activities,Masters Programs,Graduate Students,Environmental Education

This article examines a 15 year-old master level seminar dedicated to the exploration of local and complex environmental issues marked by scientific or technological uncertainties. Following a pragmatic learning approach, we focus our discussion on a triadic relationship between supervisors, students and various concerned publics. A local flood management controversy in Belgium will help to illustrate our approach and point to some learning outcomes. On the basis of this pedagogical experience, we propose to shift from Problem-based-learning towards &quot;Public&quot;-based-learning that rests on the comparison of the various ways a problem is defined by publics. This comparative approach allows us to deduce a plurality of modes of involvement mobilized in the management of the environmental problems.
A Study of University Teachers' Enactment of Curriculum Reform in China
Author: Yu, Aiqin
Date: 2015-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Curriculum Development,Educational Policy,Semi Structured Interviews,Classroom Observation Techniques,College English,English Curriculum,Curriculum Implementation,Teacher Attitudes,Case Studies,Performance Factors,Class Size,Time Perspective,Teaching Models,Communities of Practice,School Support,Educational Resources,Fidelity

This article documents an ongoing study of educational policy enactment in a Chinese university. Drawing upon data collected through document analysis, semi-structured interviews and classroom observations, this paper argues that the enactment of China's systemic College English curriculum reform is not a matter of simple implementation but the result of a more complex process which may change the original reform intention. It suggests that the enactment of centralised reform is mediated through an interplay of forces and challenges and that the major impetus for how teachers make sense of and enact reform relates more to the strength of their current values and practices and students' feedback, rather than the power of external initiatives. Without localised management, curriculum reform itself is, therefore, insufficient to ensure change in practice.
Best Practices for Quality Improvement--Lessons from Top Ranked Engineering Institutions
Author: Rao, Potti Srinivasa
Date: 2015-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Best Practices,Educational Quality,Quality Assurance,Engineering Education,Technical Institutes,Classification,Coding,Educational Indicators,Literature Reviews,Expertise,Interviews,Stakeholders,Data Analysis,Institutional Characteristics,Benchmarking,Total Quality Management,Governance,Structured Interviews,Admission Criteria

Maximum number of privately funded engineering institutions have been established in India in the last two decades to meet the growing needs of technical manpower required by the Engineering and IT companies as well as aspiring students after completion of the Pre-University Program. However, a large number of institutions have not been able to attract the talented students for their undergraduate programs. The private managements of those institutions have realized then, the need for maintaining high quality in imparting engineering education. In addition, the regulatory bodies like NBA insist on maintaining the quality in the educational programs before giving accreditation. Therefore, the young institutes need to know the best practices adopted by the high performing institutions and introduce those best practices in their programs. In this paper, an attempt has been made to identify the best practices of the reputed and ranking institutes, to classify and codify those practices so as to enable the young institutes to implement them. Quality indicators have been identified through literature review, by summarizing previous studies, by conducting discussion with experts in the field. A few top ranked engineering institutions are selected to identify and list the best practices, by referring to the finding of various magazines. Practices followed with respect to the quality indicators identified have been composed by conducting structured interviews and discussions with various core groups and stake holders of these institutions. The details of literature review, data collection &amp; analysis, findings and policy implications of the research work are presented in this paper. The best practices enlisted through this study will act as guidelines to implement the quality initiatives for the young institutions.
Coping Styles with Student Misbehavior as Mediators of Teachers' Classroom Management Strategies
Author: Tran, Van Dat
Date: 2016-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Student Behavior,Behavior Problems,Coping,Classroom Techniques,Punishment,Recognition (Achievement),Rewards,Interpersonal Communication,Aggression,Junior High Schools,Secondary School Teachers,Correlation,Problem Solving,Social Influences,Foreign Countries,Questionnaires,Teacher Surveys,Teacher Attitudes

The purpose of the present study is to identify how teachers' use of various coping styles with student misbehavior, and the extent to which these relate to their classroom management techniques -- punishment, recognition and reward, hinting, discussion, and aggression. It examines data from 397 junior high school teachers in Vietnam. The results obtained from correlation analyses indicated that coping styles mediated the relationship between teachers' concerns about student misbehavior and their use of classroom management techniques. The findings obtained from the data analyses indicated that teachers who use passive avoidant strategies employ more aggression and punishment techniques towards student misbehavior. Conversely, teachers who use more social problem solving and relaxation strategies use more inclusive management techniques such as recognition and reward, discussion, and hinting. Implications of these findings are discussed.
The Impact of the University Students' Level of Alienation on Their Perception of General Satistaction
Author: Kaçire, Ilhan
Date: 2016-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,College Students,Student Satisfaction,Alienation,Structural Equation Models,Rating Scales,Likert Scales,Multivariate Analysis

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of university students' level of alienation on their general satisfaction. The study was carried out using rational screening model. The total participants of this study were 551 Dicle University students, studying at Medical, Technology, and Ziya Gökalp Education Faculty departments. The &quot;alienation&quot; and &quot;general satisfaction&quot; scales were used in data collection process. The collected data were analyzed by structural equation modeling. The fit index of the model was confirmed to be within the range of standard value. It was found that the university students' level of alienation had explained 52% of their perception of general satisfaction. Concerning the findings of the current paper, it can be claimed that it is of significant importance for the universities aiming at increasing general satisfaction of students to develop sustainable policies preventing alienation and to manifest back office applications.
The Relationship between Socio-Demographics and Stress Levels, Stressors, and Coping Mechanisms among Undergraduate Students at a University in Barbados
Author: Persaud, Nadini
Date: 2016-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Stress Variables,Social Sciences,Summer Programs,School Schedules,Stress Management,Coping,Statistical Analysis,Difficulty Level,Student Projects,Student Employment,Study Habits,Religion,Sleep,Eating Habits,Leisure Time,Undergraduate Students,Educational Finance,Student Surveys,Student Characteristics

This study sought to learn about stress experienced by students enrolled in the Faculty of Social Sciences (FSS) at the University of the West Indies (UWI) in Barbados. This research was primarily undertaken to help UWI administrators/academic staff understand and address student stress. One hundred and six FSS students responded to:- (1) student perceptions on whether summer school courses were less stressful compared to semester courses, (2) the mean stress level associated with summer and semester courses, (3) FSS student stressors, and (4) coping mechanisms used by FSS students to handle stressors. The research revealed a statistically significant difference in the mean stress levels that students experienced between summer and semester courses. The key stressors identified were: (i) amount of work in each course, (ii) group projects being a nightmare, (iii) studying and working full-time, (iv) stress associated with work impacting studies, and (v) taking too many courses per semester. The primary coping strategies used by FSS students were: (i) taking some quiet time and then resuming studies, (ii) praying for renewed strength, (iii) sleeping more, (iv) eating more, and (v) engaging in a hobby. Statistically significant results were observed on several of the key stressors and coping mechanisms. The paper concludes by discussing implications for policy and practice which can aid UWI administration/academic staff to craft strategies that can assist in reducing the amount of stress experienced by students.
Decision Making for Chinese Students to Receive Their Higher Education in the U.S.
Author: Chao, Chiangnan
Date: 2016-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Decision Making,Higher Education,Attribution Theory,Student Educational Objectives,Study Abroad,Student Attitudes,Foreign Students,Asians,Student Surveys,Hypothesis Testing,Predictor Variables,Foreign Countries

This study examines Chinese students' decision making considerations for coming to the U.S. for their higher education. Due to the large number of Chinese students in the U.S, it is an interesting topic for educators and researchers to explore the decision making considerations Chinese students choose for studying abroad. International student enrollment plays an important role in the higher education in the U.S. and a much needed sources of financial revenue. The results indicate that Chinese students want to develop a global view and depart from the traditional Chinese system of college education. The Chinese students participated in this study want to learn more innovations and skills that prepare them for a better future. Both administrators and educators in higher education need to learn these aspects of this tiny market segment, not only for serving this small group, but also expand the cultural diversity into the whole higher education.
Examining Kindergarteners' Drawings for Their Perspectives on Picture Books' Themes and Characters
Author: Hsiao, Ching-Yuan
Date: 2015-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Picture Books,Student Attitudes,Kindergarten,Young Children,Qualitative Research,Art Activities,Attitude Measures,Interviews,Teacher Attitudes,Reader Response,Emotional Response,Teaching Methods,Freehand Drawing

The aim of this study was to identify and characterize children's perspectives on a picture book's themes and characters by examining their drawings. The study was conducted over a five-month period in a public kindergarten in southern Taiwan, with six children aged 5-6 years. Picture book appreciation activities focused on eight picture books. Research data were collected via digital recordings of participants' appreciation and art-making activities, interviews, and associate teachers' feedback. A qualitative research method was used to process and analyze data. Study results indicate that with regard to theme, children could clearly identify and characterize a story's theme but seldom offered in-depth interpretations. With regard to character, children could describe a picture book character's outward appearance and inner feelings but could not present its inner feelings in their drawings. These and other findings from this study could aid early childhood educators in conducting picture book appreciation activities in the future.
Development of Performance Appraisal System for Local School Teachers in Thailand
Author: Uttaramart, Suphawadee
Date: 2015-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Teacher Evaluation,Secondary School Teachers,Semi Structured Interviews,Questionnaires,Moral Values,Mixed Methods Research

The objectives of this research were: 1) to study current situation and problem in the performance appraisal system of secondary school teachers, under jurisdiction of the Local Administrative Organization (LAO), 2) to develop the performance appraisal system to apply with the LAO school teachers, and 3) to evaluate the application from the performance appraisal system by using research and development process. The researcher intended to study the current situation and problem of appraisal system in work practice of secondary school teachers. The research was based on the appraisal system, system development, evaluation of performace, factors in performance appraisal system, the LAO educational administration, and the Good Governance principle. The samples were 758 school directors, vice-directors, and division/department chairs from the secondary schools in Thailand. Research instruments were semi-structure interview, rating scale questionnaires, and open-ended questions. Research finding revealed that ethical values were the highest rank in content of performance appraisal while learning management ranked the lowest. Discussion aspects included current situation, performance appraisal system, application of the system, and satisfaction to performance appraisal system.
SoSTeM Model Development for Application of Soft Skills to Engineering Students at Malaysian Polytechnics
Author: Esa, Ahmad
Date: 2015-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Engineering,Engineering Education,College Students,Questionnaires,Models,Teaching Methods,Learning Strategies,Interpersonal Competence,Communication Skills,Cooperation,Teamwork,Problem Solving,Leadership,Lifelong Learning,Information Management,Ethics,Entrepreneurship,Interviews

Soft skills are some of the skills needed to ensure that graduates fulfill the needs of the job market. Until 2010, almost 30% of unemployed graduates in Malaysia are technical graduates and one third comes are graduates from polytechnic. Most engineering graduates are proficient in technical skills but lack in soft skills. The lack of relevant knowledge among lecturers in order to identify appropriate ways and methods in the process of teaching and learning is one of the causes of lack in soft skills application. This study aims to identify the suitable teaching methods for the application of soft skills in the engineering programs for engineering students in Malaysian polytechnics. 488 students and 332 lecturers in engineering courses at the polytechnic had been questioned using questionnaires and interviews. The results showed that there is a relationship between the level of application of soft skills element with the teaching &amp; learning methods used by lecturers. Based on these relationships, researchers had produced &quot;SoSTeM&quot; model as the model of application of soft skills for engineering students. Researchers also discovered that the use of teaching &amp; learning methods for applying soft skills in engineering programs vary according to the elements of soft skills.
Teachers' Knowledge and Readiness towards Implementation of School Based Assessment in Secondary Schools
Author: Veloo, Arsaythamby
Date: 2015-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Student Evaluation,Secondary School Students,Teacher Attitudes,Secondary School Teachers,Questionnaires,Likert Scales,Knowledge Level

School-Based Assessment (SBA) was implemented in Malaysian secondary schools in 2012. Since its implementation, teachers have faced several challenges to meet the aims and objectives of the School-Based Assessment. Based on these challenges this study aims to find the level of teachers' knowledge and readiness towards the implementation of school-based assessment (SBA). The study was conducted in 15 daily secondary schools in the state of Kedah, which is situated in the northern part of Malaysia, bordering Thailand. 155 teachers were randomly selected from a total of 260 teachers. This study used 2 questionnaires to assess teachers' knowledge and readiness to implement SBA. The questionnaire was adapted from Alabah (2012) which was designed to assess the teachers' knowledge (30 items) and readiness (35 items) on Nigerian teachers' perception of SBA. This questionnaire used a 4-point Likert-type scale with strongly disagree e to strongly agree. The findings provide evidence that the knowledge of the teachers in terms of 5 dimensions, that is, conducting SBA, bands in SBA, knowledge of evaluating SBA, SBA procedural knowledge and knowledge of implementation of SBA. The overall mean (3.27) for the level of teachers' knowledge towards SBA shows that all the teachers agree that they have the knowledge about SBA. In terms of readiness, the mean (3.09) shows that all the teachers agree that they are ready to implement SBA. The comparison of the two means suggest that teachers have relatively more knowledge but are less ready to implement the SBA. The implication here is that teachers feel that their level of knowledge is not complete and more initiatives need to be taken by the educational authorities so that teachers are more confident of their level of readiness.
Ten-Structure as Strategy of Addition 1-20 by Involving Spatial Structuring Ability for First Grade Students
Author: Salmah, Ummy
Date: 2015-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Grade 1,Elementary School Students,Learning Activities,Addition,Teaching Methods,Instructional Effectiveness,Spatial Ability

The aim of this study is to design learning activities that can support students to develop strategies for the addition of number 1 to 20 in the first grade by involving students' spatial structuring ability. This study was conducted in Indonesia by involving 27 students. In this paper, one of three activities is discussed namely ten-box activity. This activity was aimed to introduce and develop ten-structure to be a students' strategy in addition of number 1 to 20. The method was design research by designing learning activities involving spatial structuring ability. PMRI underlined the context and activity. The result of the study indicates that ten-box activities can help students to develop ten-structure as a strategy in addition of number 1 to 20. As a recommendation, PMRI can be implemented as an approach of teaching and learning addition 1 to 20.
The Academic Knowledge Management Model of Small Schools in Thailand
Author: Tumtuma, Chamnan
Date: 2015-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Knowledge Management,Scholarship,Models,Small Schools,Statistical Analysis,Qualitative Research,Workshops,Field Studies,Brainstorming,Group Discussion,Activities,Exhibits,Web Sites,Participant Satisfaction,Program Development,Program Descriptions,Management Information Systems

The Academic Knowledge Management Model of Small Schools in Thailand was created by research and development. The quantitative and qualitative data were collected via the following steps: a participatory workshop meeting, the formation of a team according to knowledge base, field study, brainstorming, group discussion, activities carried out according to knowledge, summarizing and revising the operation, organizing an exhibition to show the work results, and the creation of a website. The results showed that the subjects had knowledge of how to manage knowledge, became more academically capable, and were satisfied with knowledge management at the highest level.