In the field of second language acquisition, an increasing amount of research has been conducted on learner's beliefs. Few empirical studies, however, have been focused on students' conceptions of learning English ...In the field of second language acquisition, an increasing amount of research has been conducted on learner's beliefs. Few empirical studies, however, have been focused on students' conceptions of learning English (COLE). This study aims to assess conceptions of learning particularly in the domain of English. Data were collected through the COLE questionnaire among 284 college students in China. Seven factors of COLE are identified, such as "memorizing", "testing", "drill and practice", "increasing knowledge", "understanding", "application", and "seeing in a new way". These findings also provide some pedagogical implications for English language instructors and researchers.展开更多
The purpose of this article is to investigate visual literacy from the perspective of the VTS (Visual Thinking Strategies) method. The authors examine the viewpoints of seven American elementary school teachers on v...The purpose of this article is to investigate visual literacy from the perspective of the VTS (Visual Thinking Strategies) method. The authors examine the viewpoints of seven American elementary school teachers on visual literacy and its meanings in the context of the VTS method. Data collection was done using a semi-structured questionnaire, which was followed by theory-driven content analysis. The authors emphasize that when supporting holistic development in a teaching context, it is the interconnected nature of aesthetics, growth and the learner's learning which is more important than developing special skills, like visual literacy. In the teaching context visual literacy and language development should be acknowledged in pedagogy and research.展开更多
The purpose of the study was to use the Problem-Centered Double-Cycles Instructional Model (PCDC-IM) (1995, Chang) to help the teacher (Lin) implement model-eliciting activity (MEA) in her mathematics classes....The purpose of the study was to use the Problem-Centered Double-Cycles Instructional Model (PCDC-IM) (1995, Chang) to help the teacher (Lin) implement model-eliciting activity (MEA) in her mathematics classes. In this study, there were 31 students divided in 10 groups and engaged in the MEA "Who saved the oriental cherry trees". Data collections included the learning sheets, journals and debriefing forms of students, teaching and reflection journals, observation reports, and field notes of teachers, reflection journals and interview reports of researchers, video tapes and records of the classes and meetings. There were four parts of the teaching cycle in PCDC-IM, namely task, guidance, environment and analysis. We summarized developing and implementing the MEA in "Task" aspect, 5 principles and 5 kinds of teachers' roles in "Guidance" aspect, 2 elements and 5 features in "Environment" aspect and data in "Analysis" aspect. The findings showed that PCDC-IM was helpful for mathematics teachers who want to change their instruction from lecture into modeling teaching.展开更多
Online teaching and learning environments have been booming worldwide. However, many universities in developing countries cannot afford learning management systems, such as Blackboard or WebCT. Therefore, this qualita...Online teaching and learning environments have been booming worldwide. However, many universities in developing countries cannot afford learning management systems, such as Blackboard or WebCT. Therefore, this qualitative study explores the possibility of using social media sites for online instruction due to the fact that their prominent utilities are similar to those of Blackboard and other learning management systems. Through purposeful sampling, four university professors using social media for online instruction were selected as participants, in order to gain insights from their perspectives regarding its usage as an alternative instructional medium. Using the constant comparison method and open coding, data was gathered and triangulated from participant interviews, observations of participants' online courses on social media sites; documents collected from their online courses; and the researcher's reflexive journal. Thematic findings revealed that social media sites increased (1) interaction and communication between the instructor and students, (2) interaction, communication, and collaboration among students, (3) and interaction between students with materials. It is believed that the significance of the research findings can be transferred to the similar online teaching contexts where learning management systems cannot be afforded.展开更多
This paper investigated the influence of parental child upbringing styles and juvenile delinquency and the implication for societal development. A total number of 35 female and male delinquent inmates of Children Corr...This paper investigated the influence of parental child upbringing styles and juvenile delinquency and the implication for societal development. A total number of 35 female and male delinquent inmates of Children Correctional Centre in Cross River State and 35 female and male non-delinquents from a normal school aged from 12 years to 17 years took part in the study. The Child Rearing Questionnaire (CRQ) designed by the researcher was used for data collection. Two hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. Chi-square was used in testing the study hypotheses at .05 level of significance. The result of the data analysis showed that parental child-rearing style has a significant influence on the three aspects of dishonest behaviour, namely lying, stealing, and truancy, and parents' bonding with their children is also significant. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that parents should adopt more of authoritative child upbringing styles. Parents are expected to guide and modify the behaviour of their children to conform with the acceptable behaviours in society as well as participate in activities aimed at preventing crime or disorder being committed by their children.展开更多
文摘In the field of second language acquisition, an increasing amount of research has been conducted on learner's beliefs. Few empirical studies, however, have been focused on students' conceptions of learning English (COLE). This study aims to assess conceptions of learning particularly in the domain of English. Data were collected through the COLE questionnaire among 284 college students in China. Seven factors of COLE are identified, such as "memorizing", "testing", "drill and practice", "increasing knowledge", "understanding", "application", and "seeing in a new way". These findings also provide some pedagogical implications for English language instructors and researchers.
文摘The purpose of this article is to investigate visual literacy from the perspective of the VTS (Visual Thinking Strategies) method. The authors examine the viewpoints of seven American elementary school teachers on visual literacy and its meanings in the context of the VTS method. Data collection was done using a semi-structured questionnaire, which was followed by theory-driven content analysis. The authors emphasize that when supporting holistic development in a teaching context, it is the interconnected nature of aesthetics, growth and the learner's learning which is more important than developing special skills, like visual literacy. In the teaching context visual literacy and language development should be acknowledged in pedagogy and research.
文摘The purpose of the study was to use the Problem-Centered Double-Cycles Instructional Model (PCDC-IM) (1995, Chang) to help the teacher (Lin) implement model-eliciting activity (MEA) in her mathematics classes. In this study, there were 31 students divided in 10 groups and engaged in the MEA "Who saved the oriental cherry trees". Data collections included the learning sheets, journals and debriefing forms of students, teaching and reflection journals, observation reports, and field notes of teachers, reflection journals and interview reports of researchers, video tapes and records of the classes and meetings. There were four parts of the teaching cycle in PCDC-IM, namely task, guidance, environment and analysis. We summarized developing and implementing the MEA in "Task" aspect, 5 principles and 5 kinds of teachers' roles in "Guidance" aspect, 2 elements and 5 features in "Environment" aspect and data in "Analysis" aspect. The findings showed that PCDC-IM was helpful for mathematics teachers who want to change their instruction from lecture into modeling teaching.
文摘Online teaching and learning environments have been booming worldwide. However, many universities in developing countries cannot afford learning management systems, such as Blackboard or WebCT. Therefore, this qualitative study explores the possibility of using social media sites for online instruction due to the fact that their prominent utilities are similar to those of Blackboard and other learning management systems. Through purposeful sampling, four university professors using social media for online instruction were selected as participants, in order to gain insights from their perspectives regarding its usage as an alternative instructional medium. Using the constant comparison method and open coding, data was gathered and triangulated from participant interviews, observations of participants' online courses on social media sites; documents collected from their online courses; and the researcher's reflexive journal. Thematic findings revealed that social media sites increased (1) interaction and communication between the instructor and students, (2) interaction, communication, and collaboration among students, (3) and interaction between students with materials. It is believed that the significance of the research findings can be transferred to the similar online teaching contexts where learning management systems cannot be afforded.
文摘This paper investigated the influence of parental child upbringing styles and juvenile delinquency and the implication for societal development. A total number of 35 female and male delinquent inmates of Children Correctional Centre in Cross River State and 35 female and male non-delinquents from a normal school aged from 12 years to 17 years took part in the study. The Child Rearing Questionnaire (CRQ) designed by the researcher was used for data collection. Two hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. Chi-square was used in testing the study hypotheses at .05 level of significance. The result of the data analysis showed that parental child-rearing style has a significant influence on the three aspects of dishonest behaviour, namely lying, stealing, and truancy, and parents' bonding with their children is also significant. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that parents should adopt more of authoritative child upbringing styles. Parents are expected to guide and modify the behaviour of their children to conform with the acceptable behaviours in society as well as participate in activities aimed at preventing crime or disorder being committed by their children.