ethanporcaro/eric-fulltext-meta huggingface dataset:
Teachers' Attitude towards English in Batu Anam
Author: Jian, Mah Zhi
Date: 2011-07-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Teacher Attitudes,English (Second Language),Language Attitudes,Questionnaires,Comparative Analysis,Gender Differences,Institutional Characteristics,Elementary Secondary Education,Majors (Students),Likert Scales,Foreign Countries,Statistical Analysis

This research investigates the attitude of 60 primary and secondary school teachers towards English in Batu Anam. A questionnaire was administered to find out whether they have a positive or a negative attitude towards the English language. Results indicate that teachers in Batu Anam generally have a positive attitude towards English. Comparison between male and female teachers, optionist and non-optionist teachers and teachers from different types of schools are also analyzed.
Active Learning: A Prerequisite for Language Development in the Mixed Ability Class (MAC) of Engineering Students
Author: Verma, Meenakshi Harraw
Date: 2011-07-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Active Learning,Language Acquisition,Engineering Education,College Second Language Programs,English (Second Language),Educational Strategies,Student Participation,Teaching Methods,Ability Grouping,Observation,Learning Motivation,Teacher Role,Foreign Countries

Engineering students tend to pay more attention to their core subject classes rather than on an English language class. They all come from different social and academic backgrounds and their knowledge of English language varies from one another. A mixed ability group throws many challenges to an English language teacher teaching to a grown up or rather adult group of learners who always pre-define their interests and needs. The primary and the most important challenge in front of the language teacher teaching engineering students is--how to promote active learning in a MAC situation? A language teacher to overcome the problems of a mixed ability classroom and promote active learning needs to adopt a number of strategies. The paper studies the MAC situation in an English language classroom of engineering students and makes an attempt to re-define methods for active learning--a prerequisite for language development in an engineering classroom.
History of Physics and Conceptual Constructions: The Case of Magnetism
Author: Voutsina, Lambrini
Date: 2011-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Physics,Science History,Magnets,Scientific Concepts,Foreign Countries,High School Students,Secondary School Science,Questionnaires,Structured Interviews,Grade 10,Grade 11,Schemata (Cognition),Differences,Models

This study documents the mental representations of magnetism constructed by students aged 15-17 and attempts to investigate whether these display the characteristics of models with an inner cohesiveness and constancy; whether they share common features with typical historical models of the Sciences; and whether they evolve through conventional teaching. Using the part of the history of physics that refers to magnetism and the research data available, we put together a questionnaire and carried out structured interviews with a total of 40 students from the 10th and 11th grades. The results showed that a small number of students is able to express reasoning within the framework of a structured model by which to approach magnetic phenomena and that this reasoning changes according to the teaching received. We also observed similarities between some of the students' representations and those of scientists from the past, though not of a wide range.
Oral Communicative Activities in the Saudi Third Year Secondary EFL Textbooks
Author: Ellif, Zaky H. Abu
Date: 2011-01-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Speech Communication,Learning Activities,English (Second Language),Secondary School Curriculum,Textbook Evaluation,Textbook Content,Questionnaires,Teacher Attitudes,Secondary School Teachers,Teacher Surveys,Communication Skills,Instructional Material Evaluation,Educational Quality,Statistical Analysis

This study aims to examine the oral communicative activities found in the Saudi EFL third year secondary textbooks and to determine the role they play in influencing the learners' oral communication in English. A questionnaire of 52 items based on four domains is utilized to explore the perception of Saudi EFL teachers regarding the oral communicative activities found in the textbooks. The preliminary survey, conducted on a group of Saudi teachers who are using the target textbooks, showed that the textbooks do not have highly communicative activities for fluency development. The participants' rating of the activities, found in the textbooks, was very low. The activities seem to be highly structured and lack free communicative activities. The study shows that the textbooks require much modification. Other types of oral communicative activities should be included to fulfill the goals of developing the Saudi learners' oral fluency in English.
Undergraduate Students' Information Search Practices
Author: Nikolopoulou, Kleopatra
Date: 2011-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Undergraduate Students,Information Seeking,Questionnaires,Internet,Databases,Search Engines,Evaluation Criteria,Self Efficacy,Online Searching,Foreign Countries,Statistical Analysis,Regression (Statistics)

This paper investigates undergraduate students' information search practices. The subjects were 250 undergraduate students from two university departments in Greece, and a questionnaire was used to document their search practices. The results showed that the Web was the primary information system searched in order to find information for university assignments, while the level of database searching was very low. In particular, the search engine Google was used very frequently either for university assignments or for personal purposes. Regarding students' practices in evaluating Web-based information, the top criteria reported were &quot;relevance of information&quot; and &quot;easy to understand&quot;. Students' self-efficacy concerning Web-searching was found to be high and positively related to the variables &quot;frequency of Web use&quot; and &quot;years of internet use&quot;. Implications for students' training are discussed. Students' search behaviour needs to be expanded beyond the Web search engines, to include a wider range of information retrieval systems.
Developing Teacher Oral Competency Framework for Secondary School Teachers: Moving towards Meaningful Teaching of English Language
Author: Yusof, Fahainis Mohd.
Date: 2011-01-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Secondary School Teachers,Teacher Competencies,Capacity Building,English (Second Language),Second Language Instruction,Speech Communication,Communication Skills,Interpersonal Competence,Interviews,Observation,Protocol Materials,Protocol Analysis,Qualitative Research,Foreign Countries

The secondary school English curriculum in Malaysia advocates that English could provide greater opportunities for students to improve their knowledge and skills in cross cultural settings. Additionally, they will be able to interact with students from other countries and improve their proficiency in English. Given the increasing importance of international interactions among English users from different backgrounds and the current approaches in ELT pedagogy in literature, this paper examines the oral competency skills of a group of English teachers. Data was collected in a seminar specially carried out for a group of selected English teachers. Through micro-teachings sessions, the English teachers demonstrated their use of oral communication skills in delivering the content of the subjects. This seminar was an attempt to establish the collaboration among recognised Excellent English Teachers and their colleagues to enhance their oral communication skills in classrooms. The results indicated the potential of developing an oral competency framework that could be constructed and referred to by secondary English teachers so as to enhance their effectiveness of teaching the content knowledge to their students. This oral competency framework would provide an excellent opportunity to help realise the purpose of using English as the medium of instruction as proposed within the curriculum.
Teaching English Language Skills for School Teachers: CTE Programme of IGNOU
Author: Khare, Asha
Date: 2011-01-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Language Skills,Teaching Skills,Second Language Instruction,Elementary Secondary Education,College Second Language Programs,Teacher Education Programs,Teacher Certification,Delivery Systems,English (Second Language),Language Acquisition,Foreign Countries

India is a multilingual country. English is the second most important language in the country after the national language Hindi since it is taught as a compulsory subject in all the Indian schools. In the educational system of a multilingual country, it becomes imperative to improve the English Language teaching skills of the school teachers who come from various linguistic backgrounds. The school teacher plays a vital role in the development of linguistic skills of the students. What children learn can affect their later success or failure in school, work, and their personal lives. As such, the school teachers need to improve their own English language skills if they are teaching without any previous English language training. This paper throws light on the communicative approach of English language teaching. It introduces the Certificate in Teaching of English (CTE) programme of the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) and outlines the syllabus and the methods used by the university to impart English Language Teaching skills to the elementary/secondary school teachers through this programme with the objective to enhance the teachers' understanding of the learners and their learning process.
Peer-Editing Practice in the Writing Classroom: Benefits and Drawbacks
Author: Deni, Ann Rosnida Md.
Date: 2011-01-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Peer Evaluation,Editing,Educational Practices,Writing Processes,Writing Skills,College Freshmen,Tourism,Questionnaires,Feedback (Response),Student Writing Models,Check Lists,Student Reaction,Student Attitudes,English (Second Language),College Second Language Programs

Small scale studies have shown that peer-editing is beneficial to students as it increases their awareness of the complex process of writing, it improves their knowledge of and skills in writing and helps them become more autonomous in learning. Teachers too may benefit from peer-editing as this practice discloses invaluable information on students' writing weaknesses and strengths; and teachers' teaching effectiveness. This is a small scale study conducted on fifteen first-year degree students majoring in Tourism to view the usefulness of peer-editing practice in enhancing their writing skills. Retrospective notes were taken to record students' receptiveness and reaction towards peer editing practice; students' writing samples and peer-editing questionnaires were analysed to view students' revisions and comments; and an open-ended questionnaire was distributed to identify students' perceptions of peer-editing practice in the writing classroom. Analysis of data gathered revealed that peer-editing practice benefitted both the teacher and most of her students as it exposed important information that could improve her teaching of writing and her students' writing practices. Data analysis also, however, discloses that peer-editing practice may have adverse effects on students' motivation and improvement in writing if they are not deployed properly.
Exploring International Student Orientation and Attitude towards Learning English in Malaysia
Author: Badib, Ayesha Abdullah Najieb
Date: 2011-07-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Foreign Students,Student Attitudes,English (Second Language),College Second Language Programs,Language Attitudes,Language Acquisition,Questionnaires,Gender Differences,Student Motivation,Learning Motivation,Comparative Education,Cross Cultural Studies,Likert Scales,Correlation,Second Language Learning,Statistical Analysis

The Malaysian government is rigorously drawing up strategies to increase the already existing 60,000 foreign students currently studying in the country (The Star, 2009). With the influx of more foreign students and with English as the medium of instruction in local higher education, it is felt that a study to investigate international students' orientation, attitudes and aspects that drive and/or deter them in learning English would be beneficial. The sample for this study (N = 115) comprised of international students from China, Iran, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, Korea, Vietnam, Maldives and the Middle East undertaking an Intensive English course at a local private college. Data collection was done via questionnaire which was designed based on a review of existing instruments in the field. Results show that orientation towards learning English does not vary according to nationality and gender; however, students from China and Korea tend to be more inclined towards instrumental orientation, while students from Kazakhstan and Iran are more inclined towards integrative orientation. Based on the findings, this paper also proffers recommendations for local higher education institutions to enhance ELT practices for incoming international students.
Keys to Reducing Summer Regression: The Reader, Routine, and Relationship
Author: Blanton, Morgan V.
Date: 2015-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Mixed Methods Research,Summer Programs,Quasiexperimental Design,Parent Education,Reading Programs,Maintenance,Elementary School Students,At Risk Students,Seminars,Pretests Posttests,Diaries,Questionnaires,Program Effectiveness,Disadvantaged Youth,Control Groups,Experimental Groups,Reading Skills,Reading Fluency

This study utilized mixed-methods, quasi-experimental design to investigate the impact of parent development and home-based summer reading on summer reading regression (as measured by oral reading fluency) at three Title I elementary schools in North Carolina. Title I parents and students participated in a parent development and communicated throughout the summer. Quantitative and qualitative methods (QUAN-qual) were used to collect and analyze data in order to answer four research questions related to the parent development seminar and reading routines. Quantitative data were collected using a pretest/posttest, reading logs, contact logs, and questionnaires. Qualitative data were collected from the questionnaire responses, parent contact logs, and reading logs. Based on the results of this study, the researcher identified three keys to reducing summer regression: the reader, routine, and relationship.
Comparing the Effect of Two Internship Structures on Supervision Experience and Learning
Author: Winslow, Robin D.
Date: 2016-05-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Internship Programs,Comparative Analysis,Program Effectiveness,Student Experience,Student Attitudes,Beliefs,Knowledge Level,Supervision,Preservice Teachers,Instructional Leadership,Quasiexperimental Design,Leadership Training,Experienced Teachers,Graduate Students

The purpose of this study was to examine two different models of internship and competitively evaluate their effectiveness in influencing interns' experience, beliefs, and knowledge of supervision. The research questions for this study were developed from the literature on supervision of instruction and internships in educational leadership preparation programs. This quasi-experimental study compared the internship experiences, beliefs, and knowledge of two groups of educational leadership students with different supervision assignments: The pre-service teachers group was assigned a pre-service teacher to supervise during the educational leadership internship. The in-service teachers group had an internship that did not include supervising a pre-service teacher; rather it involved supervising teachers at their school. The following research questions were addressed during this study: (1) Does the internship structure affect the quality of supervision practiced in the internship? (2) Does the internship structure affect beliefs about supervision? and (3) Does the internship structure affect knowledge of the supervision process?
Program Evaluation of Alternative Schools in North Carolina: A Companion Dissertation
Author: Jones, Michael O.
Date: 2015-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Program Evaluation,Nontraditional Education,School Districts,Public Schools,Student Behavior,Mixed Methods Research,Experimental Groups,Focus Groups,Interviews,Suspension,Grade 9,African American Students,Surveys,Comparative Analysis,High School Students,School Personnel,Recidivism,Outcomes of Education

The purpose of the program evaluation was to evaluate two alternative programs in a North Carolina and South Carolina public school district to determine if they are effective in delivering constructive interventions that modify student behavior once students have left the programs and have returned to their regular learning environments. This mixed-method evaluation consisted of an experimental-comparison design approach that included interviews with program participants, focus groups, and comparison of the number of out-of-school suspensions that participants received after completing the alternative school programs in both school districts.
Does mClass Reading 3D Predict Student Reading Proficiency on High-Stakes Assessments?
Author: Bowles, Amy S.
Date: 2015-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Reading Achievement,High Stakes Tests,Reading Tests,Statistical Analysis,Correlation,Elementary School Students,Reading Comprehension,Predictive Validity,Scores,Reading Fluency,Grade 3,Grade 4,Grade 5,Emergent Literacy,Multiple Regression Analysis

This quantitative, correlational study investigated the relationship between the North Carolina End of Grade Assessment of Reading Comprehension (NCEOG) and mClass Reading 3D assessment in a North Carolina elementary school. It especially examined the degree to which mClass Reading 3D measures predict scores on the reading comprehension portion of the NCEOG. The study was conducted in two parts. Part one utilized quantitative methods to describe the relationship between mClass Reading 3D and NCEOG based on demographic data. Part two utilized quantitative methods to determine the predictability of mClass Reading 3D measures Oral Reading Fluency (ORF) and Text Reading and Comprehension (TRC) to student scale scores on the NCEOG Assessment of Reading Comprehension. Based on the results of this study, the researcher determined that mClass Reading 3D Oral Reading Fluency (ORF) and Text Reading and Comprehension (TRC) measures statistically, significantly predict student scale scores on the NCEOG Assessment of Reading Comprehension.
Teacher Morale, Student Engagement, and Student Achievement Growth in Reading: A Correlational Study
Author: Sabin, Jenny T.
Date: 2015-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Teacher Morale,Learner Engagement,Reading Achievement,Achievement Gains,Correlation,Grade 4,Grade 5,Low Income Groups,Teacher Surveys,Teaching Conditions,Teacher Student Ratio,Reading Instruction,Teacher Leadership,Statistical Analysis,Elementary School Teachers

This research study explored the current state of teacher morale in fourth and fifth grade classrooms in three low socio-economic schools in North Carolina. Additional research questions address correlational relationships among the variables of teacher morale, student engagement, and student achievement growth as measured by the NC Teacher Working Conditions Survey, Van Amburg Active Learning Inventory Tool, and the NC End of Grade reading tests, respectively. This study found no significant relationships among the primary variables of teacher morale, student engagement, and student achievement growth. However, significant relationships were found between increasing student engagement and an increase in the number of adults present during reading instruction, as well as an increase in student engagement with small group instruction. A final positive relationship discovered in this study was between the teacher morale construct of teacher leadership and student achievement growth.
The Effect of Teacher's Assistance on Malaysian Rural Learners' Writing Self-Efficacy: A Case Study
Author: Jalaluddin, Ilyana
Date: 2011-01-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Self Efficacy,Case Studies,Writing Achievement,Rural Areas,Scaffolding (Teaching Technique),Interviews,Teaching Methods,Teacher Role,Instructional Effectiveness,Writing Instruction,Observation,Statistical Analysis

The purpose of the study is to explore the Malaysian rural learners' self-efficacy in writing after assistance given by a teacher. The social cognitive theory and socio-cultural theory are used as the theoretical framework to pursue the discussion on the effects of teacher's assistance on learners' writing self-efficacy. A case study approach is adopted where three learners and a teacher were chosen from a form four class through purposive sampling. Learners' writing self-efficacy is evaluated using a writing self-efficacy scale adapted from Bottomley, Henk and Melnick (1998) and also classroom observation. Wang and Pape (2007) categories were used as guidelines to analyze observation data in order to understand the participants' self-efficacy phenomena in their learning to write. Overall, this study places a heavy emphasis on the perceptions and actions of the selected form four learners and teacher through non-participant classroom observations, interviews with each learner and teacher.
Evaluating White Space of a Malaysian Secondary ELT Textbook
Author: Jin, Ng Yu
Date: 2010-07-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Textbooks,Textbook Evaluation,English (Second Language),Second Language Instruction,Foreign Countries,Secondary Education,Visual Perception,Computer Software

Students are believed to learn at optimum level with materials with a lot of white space since the existence of vast number of words and limited amount of white space, especially in textbooks may contribute to the increase in anxiety among learners (Tomlinson, 1998). This study evaluates the amount of white space in terms of pixels in the Malaysian KBSM Form 2 English textbook using MATLAB 7.5. The findings reveal the inadequacy of white space in terms of pixels in our local textbooks. Not many pages have the percentage of white space exceeding 90 percent which is believed to be the ideal on a page. Hence, this method of evaluation can aid textbooks writers or evaluators to create textbooks that are less threatening so that learning a language with textbooks might just be productive to both learners and educators.