Small-group Discussion as an Effective Speaking Practice

As a form of speaking practice,small-group discussion can be effective in that it makes learners less anxious about expressing themselves.Being topic-based,small-group discussion prepares learners for a wide range of topics and requires them to think critically.Language skills and communicative skills are honed during discussions.These advantages validate the effectiveness of small-group discussion as a form of speaking practice and entail proper execution in classes.

A Glimpse of Interactional Strategies Used in Group Discussion in the EFL Context

On the basis of literature review,this paper discusses what interactional strategies are in group discussions conducted in the EFL classroom.Two frameworks for interactional strategies are investigated to explore the types of interactional strategies.This aims to shed light upon the analysis of interactional features in face-to-face communication.

Group Discussion to be Introduced to the EFL Classroom

Teacher_centered classroom teaching makes students to be passivereceiversandunabletouseEnglishasaneffectivetool.ThispaperfocusesonusingdiscussioninEFLclassroomandintroducesthepractisingmethodsofeachstepindetail.ThepaperexpectstofindanewandmoreeffectivepatternthroughanalysisandargumentationtomakestudentsmoreskillfulinusingEnglishanddevelopabetterhabitinclassroomteachingactivities.

How to Improve the Efficiency of Group Discussion in the English Writing Class

In this paper,we mainly discuss how to improve the efficiency of group discussion in the English writing class.In the English writing class,most teachers take the traditional teaching method-presentation,practice and product.To get a better teaching result,some teachers use the group discussion method.Under the facade of heated group discussion,we ask these questions:Does the group discussion really work? How can we improve its efficiency? We hope to find some ways to maximize the efficiency of group discussion in the English writing class and get a better result in English writing.

MiR-142-3p Regulates ILC1s by Targeting HMGB1 via the NF-κB Pathway in a Mouse Model of Early Pregnancy Loss

Objective Innate lymphoid cells(ILCs)are a class of newly discovered immunocytes.Group 1 ILCs(ILC1s)are identified in the decidua of humans and mice.High mobility group box 1(HMGB1)is predicted to be one of the target genes of miR-142-3p,which is closely related to pregnancy-related diseases.Furthermore,miR-142-3p and HMGB1 are involved in regulating the NF-κB signaling pathway.This study aimed to examine the regulatory effect of miR-142-3p on ILC1s and the underlying mechanism involving HMGB1 and the NF-κB signaling pathway.Methods Mouse models of normal pregnancy and abortion were constructed,and the alterations of ILC1s,miR-142-3p,ILC1 transcription factor(T-bet),and pro-inflammatory cytokines of ILC1s(TNF-α,IFN-γand IL-2)were detected in mice from different groups.The targeting regulation of HMGB1 by miR-142-3p in ILC1s,and the expression of HMGB1 in normal pregnant mice and abortive mice were investigated.In addition,the regulatory effects of miR-142-3p and HMGB1 on ILC1s were detected in vitro by CCK-8,Annexin-V/PI,ELISA,and RT-PCR,respectively.Furthermore,changes of the NF-κB signaling pathway in ILC1s were examined in the different groups.For the in vivo studies,miR-142-3p-Agomir was injected in the uterus of abortive mice to evaluate the abortion rate and alterations of ILC1s at the maternal-fetal interface,and further detect the expression of HMGB1,pro-inflammatory cytokines,and the NF-κB signaling pathway.Results The number of ILC1s was significantly increased,the level of HMGB1 was significantly upregulated,and that of miR-142-3p was considerably downregulated in the abortive mice as compared with the normal pregnant mice(all P<0.05).In addition,miR-142-3p was found to drastically inhibit the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway(P<0.05).The number of ILC1s and the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were significantly downregulated and the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway was inhibited in the miR-142-3p Agomir group(all P<0.05).Conclusion miR-142-3p can regulate ILC1s by targeting HMGB1 via the NF-κB signaling pathway,and attenuate the inflammation at the maternal-fetal interface in abortive mice.

The Depositional Environment of the Cretaceous Kizilsu Group in Xinjiang——With a Discussion of the Lowermost Marine Horizon of the Cretaceous in the Western Tarim Basin

In this paper. it is demonstrated that there exist marine horizons in the upper part of the lower subcycleand the upper subeycle of the Kizilsu Group in Xinjiang. based on new evidence of authigenic glauconite.boron content. carbon and oxygen stablc isotopic analyses. and lithological and sedimentary features. The up-per part of the lower subeycle is the lowermost marine horizon of the Cretaceous in the western Tarim Basin,which is inferred to be of Barremian age.

Which is Better? Pair Work or Group Discussion

This paper, based on the small-scale study carried out in Hebei University of Science and Technology as well as of the careful analysis of the data collected, concludes that pair work and group discussion are warmly welcomed by both teachers and students, and comparatively speaking, pair work is more useful than group discussion in keeping students on-task, and group discussion, on the other hand, is more popular.

Exploration and Practice of Improving College Students’ Speaking Competence through Group Discussion

The aim of English teaching is not only to make the students learn new words and grammar, answer multiple-choice questions to get good scores, but also to enhance the students'abilities of the integrated application of English, speaking and listening in particular. The ultimate goal of learning English is to use English to communicate with others in the future jobs and real life. However, the non-English majors have great trouble speaking English in class and in real life. Such ways as Socratic dialogues, cause analysis and questionnaire are used to investigate the reasons. In order to improve speaking ability, group discussion is used in class. In consequence, the students have more interest, motivation, courage and confidence in speaking English. Meanwhile, they have also established the concept of using what they learned in class, in practical work and real life.

Focus Group Discussion—Psychodrama in Corporate Environment: Leverage of Investigation of Employees’ Origins of Dissatisfaction within Fludor Benin SA

Background: Employees’ dissatisfaction is as a result of confrontations of two divergent views, compliance with collective labor agreement and the company’s profitability requirements. However, the documentation of internal and external environmental impacts on the employees is poor. Our objective was to study workers’ origin of dissatisfaction from the negative impact of Fludor Benin SA internal and external environment. Population and methods: It was a cross-sectional study, conducted from 11th September 2013 to 08th January 2014, on Fludor Benin SA employees. Data collection was carried out over ten (10) sessions through administration of Focus Group Discussion modules coupled with psychodrama (FGD-psychodrama) and conducted fortnightly. The module was intended for a group of twelve employees per session. It lasted 2 hours and ended with a game comprising a set of sixteen (16) cards. Each participant’s 16-card deck allowed the “player” to identify the likely origin of his dissatisfaction at work. Results: One hundred and twenty (120) employees were expected, but only ninety-nine (99) had participated in the FGD-psychodrama. The rate of participation was 82.5%. The average age of the employees was 35.4 ± 7.4 years, while sex-ratio was 23.75. Average seniority was 9.3 ± 3.2 years. The employees’ robot profile was: 39 (39.39%) passive employees, 18 (18.19%) disappointed employees, 17 (17.17%) unmotivated employees, 14 (14.14%) dedicated to the company but barely recognized and 11 (11.11%) unhappy employees. The reasons for dissatisfaction originated from matrimonial home 25 (25.25%), workplace 23 (23.23%) and use of drugs 11 (11.11%). Seventy-seven 77 (77.78%) employees were satisfied with the FGD-psychodrama modules. Conclusion: FGD-psychodrama may be an effective tool to restore unhealthy corporate atmosphere, help employees to discern the origin of their dissatisfaction and change their perception about stressful situations prevailing in their workplace.

群体学习讨论中认知-主题联合建模及其对学习成效的影响研究——基于讨论引导方式的调节作用

群体学习讨论中产生的大量互动话语能够反映学习者的认知等内在心理特征,为教师深度理解学习者提供了有效支持。研究针对当前学习者存在认知迷航但学习主体难计算等关键挑战,对认知和主题进行联合建模,构建了时序认知主题模型(Temporal Cognitive Topic Model,TCTM),基于中国大学MOOC平台两门课程的讨论区数据,检测和追踪了学习者在不同认知下最关注的主题以及讨论引导方式对认知主题和学习成效的调节作用。研究结果显示:(1)在“Python语言与程序设计”课程中,高学习成效群体在课程前期和中期分享与课程有关的想法,多为“洞察”和“包含”认知;低学习成效群体在课程后期寻求课程主题答案,多为“暂定”和“排除”认知。教师辅助时,学习者“洞察”和“包含”认知下的新想法对学习成效具有正向影响,而“因果”认知下的社交/情绪对学习成效有负向影响。(2)在“心理学与生活”课程中,高学习成效群体在课程前期“洞察”新观点,而低学习成效群体集中在课程后期,且其课程后期对证书的“因果”和“差距”认知多于高学习成效群体。教师发布主题帖时,学习者“洞察”新观点、“暂定”寻求新知识对学习成效有正向影响,但“确定”的社交/情绪对学习成效有负向影响;教师辅助时,弄清证书获取因素对学习成效有正向影响。研究提出的模型和实证分析结果,能够为理解群体学习讨论中隐藏内部心理特征和识别风险学习者提供有效支持。

A New Characterization of Simple K_3-groups

In this paper, We show that the simple K\-3-groups can be characterized by the orders of their maximal abelian subgroups. That is, we have Theorem Let G be a finite group and M a simple K \-3-group. Then G is isomorphic to M if and only if the set of the orders of the maximal abelian subgoups of G is the same as that of M .

Optimization Study of the English Class Discussion

Class discussion is a kind of multi-dimensional information exchange activity,is an effective way of English teaching.This paper,based on the characteristics of English subject,briefly explains the meaning of the English class discussion,the function,and focuses on how to optimize English classroom discussion.

Risks and Influences of Climate Hazards for Agro-Pastoral Development and Strategies Adopted by Agro-Pastoralist Communities in the Bougouni District, Mali

In the southwest of Mali, pastoral resources play an important role in the production and reproduction of livestock. These pastoral resources are very sensitive to climatic hazards and negatively affected their availability in quantity and quality. The main objective of this study was to analyze the risks and influences of climate hazards on pastoral resources and the strategies taken by agropastoralists to cope with them. To achieve this objective, meteorological data trends from 1950 to 2022 were analyzed. The socio-economic data were collected through a semi-structured survey administered to 404 head households, from focus groups through discussion with local stakeholders by using climatic risks matrix. The results obtained indicate a concordance between agropastoralists perception on climate change and meteorological observations concerning the decrease of rainfall (−213 mm;63.3%), the increase of maximum and minimum temperature (+1.33˚C, +1.24˚C;93.1%), and the increase of wind speed (+0.59 m/s;97%) over the past 70 years. Respondents noted a deterioration in the conditions of pastoral resources due to climatic hazards compared to the last 40 years (44.8% for watering points;23.5% for pastures;63.1% for salty lands). Agro pastoralists have adopted measures that allow them to be resilient. These include the collection and storage of crop residues (49.5%), regular watering of animals (39.6%), changing of animals rhythms driving (35.9%), protection of pruning species (31.7%), and concerted reforestation (37.9%). Climatic risk-related hazards constitute a real threat to pastorals resources in the district of Bougouni.

“分组-自学-讨论”教学法在“线性代数”教学中的实践研究

“线性代数”是经管类各专业重要的专业基础课,针对传统课堂的教学问题开展教学改革、推动学习革命,以掌握学习理论为基础、开展分层次教学,整合课程内容、探索教学方法,采用“分组—自学—讨论”教学法,提高学生的课程参与度,创新课程评价标准,培养学生的钻研精神、团队协作能力和科研意识。对比分析商学院各专业近三年学生的考试成绩表明“线性代数”课程取得较好的改革成效。

高等医学教育PBL病例讨论课的教学设计改革

采用PBL教学法进行病例讨论式教学方式,已经在高等医学教育中得到广泛应用。PBL病例讨论课普遍存在部分学生参与度不高的现象。为了解决这个问题,在PBL病例讨论课中进行分小组讨论式的教学设计改革,将10人组拆分成3组或4组,每组2~~3人;调整教学评价模式,将原来的指导教师综合评价转变为组对组之间学生评价并设置加分项。教学组织形式和评价模式改革有助于所有学生积极参与讨论,取得了较好的课堂教学效果。

实时定量PCR应用于研讨式分组实验教学实践

实时定量PCR作为一项生命科学及其相关领域的重要技术,已成为高校生物实验教学中不可或缺的知识内容。以分子生物学实验基础教学内容为依托,围绕实时定量PCR技术面向本科生开设了综合性实验。在充分考虑学生的理论和操作水平以及本科实验教学特点的基础上,对实验设计和实验方法进行了优化,并采取研讨式分组教学模式,提高教学效率与教学质量的同时,更突出了学生在实验教学中的主体地位,有助于培养学生的科学思维、科学素养以及综合实践能力。

“全球变化生态学”教学改革与实践——以天童国家野外站为依托

“全球变化生态学”是华东师范大学生态与环境科学学院面向生态学专业三年级本科生开设的学科特色课程。课程充分利用浙江天童森林生态系统国家野外科学观测研究站优质的软、硬教学资源,从教学内容、教学手段和考核方式进行了改革,强调对教学内容的推陈出新,加入了现场教学和小组讨论等教学手段,实施了提交研究计划的课程考核方式。通过实践,强化了学生学科知识认知并提升了学生的创新意识及能力,可以为其他高校相关课程的教学提供借鉴。