Curriculum Development and Teachers for Cultivating OECD Student Agency in Japan:From an Examination of Educational Thought,Educational System,History,and Contemporary Science and Mathematics Education Practices

The purpose of this paper is to examine the development of a curriculum in Japan to foster the agency(OECD Student Agency)necessary for children living in the future,as outlined in the OECD Education2030 Project,and the role of teachers who implement this curriculum.Therefore,I aim to achieve this goal by taking an overview of educational thought,educational systems and history,and examining several initiatives in the OECD Project and the situation of a Japanese high school that practices science and mathematics education.As a result of analyzing previous research and the narratives obtained from interviews with Teacher A(pseudonym)of a certain F High School(pseudonym),it was found that school education should not simply teach subjects,but should aim to enable student to help student exercise agency in the future.It was suggested that it is not necessary to add content to the curriculum,but rather to prepare to provide students with competencies that will enable them to use the content in various contexts,situations,and circumstances,suggesting that in order to discover such important competencies,teachers and other related parties are required to implement curricula that allow students to slowly and carefully explore the competencies surrounding the content,and to conceive and build curricula that include both hidden and intended curriculum that allows student to reflect on the curriculum they have achieved.

Initiating Chinese student teachers into action research

This paper discusses the effectiveness of action research by student teachers during their practicum. Following the review of literature and the presentation of the advantages of action research by student teachers, the paper suggests a three-phased action research process in student teachers＇ practicum. In China, initiating student teachers into an action research approach in teacher preparation programmes, which offers a way to narrow the theory-practice gap, a big problem to student teachers, can effectively integrate professional knowledge and classroom teaching practice and prepare them for the complex role they will face in today＇s world.

Pre-service Early Childhood Teachers’Attitude Towards Mathematics:A Jamaican Inquiry

The purpose of the study was to evaluate Jamaican early childhood pre-service teachers’attitudes towards mathematics.The study is designed according to the quantitative survey model in the descriptive type.In this study,a modified version of the Fennema-Sherman mathematics attitude scale was used to measure the mathematics attitude of 144 early childhood pre-service teachers in four different categories of the attitude scale(mathematics usefulness,confidence in learning mathematics,mathematics anxiety,and mathematics motivation).The data were collected from participants in the five teachers’colleges that offer the early childhood education program in Jamaica.The findings revealed that Jamaican early childhood pre-service teachers generally have a more positive attitude towards mathematics.A comparison among the different year groups revealed that a significantly greater percentage of the Year two group of participants possessed a more positive mathematics attitude than the other year groups.A significantly higher percentage of the Year three group indicated that they do not want to teach the subject in the future.The findings have implications for the teaching and learning of mathematics in the early childhood education program in Jamaica and,by extension,the teaching and learning of mathematics at the early childhood level of the education system.

Pre-service Early Childhood Teachers’ Attitude Towards Mathematics: A Jamaican Inquiry

The purpose of the study was to evaluate Jamaican early childhood pre-service teachers’attitudes towards mathematics.The study is designed according to the quantitative survey model in the descriptive type.In this study,a modified version of the Fennema-Sherman mathematics attitude scale was used to measure the mathematics attitude of 144 early childhood pre-service teachers in four different categories of the attitude scale(mathematics usefulness,confidence in learning mathematics,mathematics anxiety,and mathematics motivation).The data were collected from participants in the five teachers’colleges that offer the early childhood education program in Jamaica.The findings revealed that Jamaican early childhood pre-service teachers generally have a more positive attitude towards mathematics.A comparison among the different year groups revealed that a significantly greater percentage of the Year two group of participants possessed a more positive mathematics attitude than the other year groups.A significantly higher percentage of the Year three group indicated that they do not want to teach the subject in the future.The findings have implications for the teaching and learning of mathematics in the early childhood education program in Jamaica and,by extension,the teaching and learning of mathematics at the early childhood level of the education system.

Experimental Teaching of Biology： A Professional Challenge. How Prepared Are the Teachers of High Schools of Heraklion, Greece？

In this research the education and training that had been received or wished to be acquired by the Science teachers in the experimental teaching of Biology in high schools, was investigated. It focused on the laboratory practice, didactic methods that can be used in more effective experimental teaching of Biology, pedagogic methods that can be implemented in laboratory team teaching, official and legal issues related to laboratory work and the organization of the seminars, which constituted the dependent variables of a quantitative analysis. A questionnaire consisting of closed type questions was answered by Science teachers of many specialties, who served in Secondary Education at Heraklion Crete prefecture. The asked teachers had not received adequate education in carrying out laboratory exercises of Biology neither during their university studies nor in in-service training. Most of them had taught the course theoretically but a few had carried out laboratory exercises of Biology. The need of training on issues of didactic practices and evaluation was firstly classified, with a significant percentage of methods that can be applied to provoke students＇ curiosity in scientific issues related to daily life and recognize the value of the Life Sciences by team collaboration and respect of others.

A Research on Different Classroom Questioning Strategies Between Chinese and Foreign EFL Teachers

The application of questioning as a teaching tool has always been considered as a main part of the teaching process.Based on the viewpoint of several researchers,a survey was conducted on the application of different questioning strategies by Chinese and foreign EFL teachers in a middle school,in order to determine their effects on students’language learning output and propose measures to optimize Chinese teachers’questioning strategies for improving students’learning efficiency.This research provides preliminary results based on the data collected from the video recordings of class sessions,a questionnaire,and an interview.According to the analysis,the questioning strategies differ between Chinese and foreign EFL teachers in many aspects,such as in information seeking,offering,modification,adjustment,feedback,and so forth.

An Analysis of Comment on English Majors＇ Writing in China＇s Teachers College

This paper investigates what English majors in China＇s teachers college think about their teachers＇ comments on their written work in order to find proper ways of commenting by teachers.

Exploring the Body Politics of Female Teachers from the Perspective of Intersectionality and Agency in Education Locale

This paper explores how the body discourses constructed by patriarchal culture influence individual＇s body viewpoint and form teachers＇ body image in educational fields in gender perspectives of feminisms and the concepts of power and discourse from Foucanlt. At the same time I will also demonstrate that the body politics of women teachers in secondary education do not represent the stable and rigid hierarchy of traditional teacher-student relationship but shape the subjectivity which are deployed and suffused as a capillary action by the disciplines and power relations interwoven by gender, sexuality, class and age throughout the individual＇s cognition and behavior, thus produce self-monitoring in the meantime monitoring others for social function. Finally, I will argue that how the subjectivity under the social structure and cultural norms generates an individual＇s agency of resistance and subversion to existing gender structures through reflectivity in the cracks produced by the collision, fragmentation, consultation within different discourses, and then finds the temporary strategic and political positioning and identity.

An EOP Course for a Special Group of In-service Middle School English Teachers in China

In China there are such middle school English language teachers who are not qualified enough in listening and speaking to fulfill the requirements in their work due to lack of formal pre-service training. Therefore an EOP （English for Occupational Purposes） course is needed to improve their related skills. In the design of the course, factors, such as the course takers, overall aims, needs, length, content, materials, training modes and assessment, are taken into consideration to make the course a systematic one. Besides, the background theory and the supporting syllabus for the course are presented and the potential problems are also analyzed in the course outline.

Connotation and Interpretation of Professional Literacy of Pre-sci­ence Teachers in Xinjiang

The construction of a perfect evaluation index system of professional literacy of pre-science teachers is the basis of measuring the level of professional literacy of pre-science teachers in Xinjiang.It is of great practical significance to identify the advantages and disadvantages of education of pre-science teachers in Xinjiang.Based on“Professional Standards”and“Certification Standards”,this paper constructs an evaluation index system of Xinjiang pre-science teachers’professional literacy,including 3 first-level indicators and 18 second-level indicators.

Higher Diploma Program in Eitiopian Higher Education:Instructors'Perception and Perceived Practices in Jimma University and Jimma College of Teachers Education

The study investigates the perception and perceived practices of Higher Diploma program(HDP)in the Jimma University and|imma College of teachers'education using a cross-sectional survey design comprised of questionnaire and interviews.The data were collected from 91 instructors,and 3 higher diploma leaders(HDLs)who were selected through lottery sampling and 2 higher diploma coordinators(HDCs)who were selected using availability sampling methods.The finding revealed the importance:of the HDP(M=4.3,SD=0.91)though the perception of the HEI instructors.differ before coming,and after coming to the HDP.Though the study indicated as the trained instructors are applying the knowledge and skill,which they have acquired from the HDP training,the HEIs are not following the actual practices of the training.The study found out that the HE instructors'perception had a significant correlation with the practices of HDP(r=694,p=0.00<0.01)having a moderate effect size(8-0.48).The findings call for the proper implementation of the HDP for the betterment of the program and to achieve the intentions of the HDP.

A pilot study evaluating the factors associated with psychological distress of school teachers in Kagawa Prefecture, Japan

Objective: We investigated the psychological distress of school teachers using a 6-item instrument (the K6) in Kagawa prefecture, Japan. Methods: A total of 670 school teachers (328 men and 342 women) were analyzed in this cross-sectional investigation study. The association between psychological distress and clinical factors was evaluated by using the K6 instrument, with psychological distress defined as 13 or more points out of a total of 24 points. Results: A total of 55 teachers (8.2%) were classified as having psychological distress. No significant relationships between the K6 score and sex, age, duration of experience as a teacher, school grade and title were noted. The K6 score in teachers with consciousness of suicide among students was higher than that without, but not at a significant level. Conclusion: Some teachers were defined as having psychological distress in Kagawa prefecture, Japan. However, no relevant effects of basic characteristics such as age and sex on psychological distress were recognized.

The Synergized Quality Improvement Program in Teacher Education:A Policy for Improving the Quality of China's Rural Teachers

Purpose This study elucidates the rationale,implementation,values,and challenges of the Synergized Quality Improvement Program in Teacher Education(SQIPTE)—the first policy specifically dedicated to the development of teaching staff since the founding of the People's Republic of China.Design/Approach/Methods After introducing the primary structure and rationale of the SQIPTE,this study reviews the existing data and research to explain why the program focuses on local normal colleges and determine how it could be implemented more effectively.Findings In establishing group-based assistance under the principle of“1+M+N”(M≥N),the SQIPTE seeks to make normal colleges the primary force in the education of rural teachers and explores a collaborative operating mechanism to this end.Evidence suggests that this innovative program will provide new practical experience for the collaborative development and quality improvement of teachers.Originality/Value This study reviews the SQIPTE as a new Chinese intervention to improve the quality of rural teachers.There is strong evidence to suggest that this innovative program will inspire the construction of collaborative operating mechanisms incorporating multiple resources for teacher education systems across different areas.

Development of in situ characterization techniques in molecular beam epitaxy

Ex situ characterization techniques in molecular beam epitaxy(MBE)have inherent limitations,such as being prone to sample contamination and unstable surfaces during sample transfer from the MBE chamber.In recent years,the need for improved accuracy and reliability in measurement has driven the increasing adoption of in situ characterization techniques.These techniques,such as reflection high-energy electron diffraction,scanning tunneling microscopy,and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy,allow direct observation of film growth processes in real time without exposing the sample to air,hence offering insights into the growth mechanisms of epitaxial films with controlled properties.By combining multiple in situ characterization techniques with MBE,researchers can better understand film growth processes,realizing novel materials with customized properties and extensive applications.This review aims to overview the benefits and achievements of in situ characterization techniques in MBE and their applications for material science research.In addition,through further analysis of these techniques regarding their challenges and potential solutions,particularly highlighting the assistance of machine learning to correlate in situ characterization with other material information,we hope to provide a guideline for future efforts in the development of novel monitoring and control schemes for MBE growth processes with improved material properties.

Exploring Pre-service Science Teachers' Perspectives on the Nature of Science:A Comparative Study Between China and Canada

The Nature of Science(NOS)is an important component of scientific literacy.Science teachers'Views of the Nature of Science(VNOS)directly affect their teaching behaviors.Therefore,it is of great significance to explore science teachers'VNOs and find ways of improvement.

A review of ethnobotanical studies reveals over 500 medicinal plants in Mindanao,Philippines

Medicinal plants have long been used to treat various diseases in both indigenous and non-indigenous populations of Mindanao,Philippines.Here,we extracted data from ethnobotanical studies to compile a comprehensive list of these medicinal plants and identify how and for what purpose they are most commonly used.We identified 530 verified medicinal plant species across 372 genera in 118 families.The two most frequently cited species were Euphorbia hirta and Psidium guajava.The most represented family was Fabaceae and the most represented genus was Ficus.A total of 28 medicinal plant species are designated as threatened at the national or global level;of these,11 are endemic to the Philippines.Medicinal plant preparations most commonly use leaves for oral administration to treat various diseases such as digestive issues,including diarrhea.This study underscores the need for further ethnobotanical investigations,particularly in areas lacking records.It also emphasizes the need for conservation of threatened and endemic medicinal plants to ensure sustainable utilization of this valuable resource.

Efficient removal of U(VI) from wastewater by a sponge-like 3D porous architecture with hybrid electrospun nanofibers

Removal of uranium(VI)from nuclear wastewater is urgent due to the global nuclear energy exploitation.This study synthesized novel sponge-like 3D porous materials for enhanced uranium adsorption by combining electrospinning and fibrous freeze-shaping techniques.The materials possessed an organic-inorganic hybrid architecture based on the electrospun fibers of polyacrylonitrile(PAN)and SiO_(2).As a sup-porting material,the surface of fibrous SiO_(2) could be further functionalized by cyano groups via(3-cyanopropyl)triethoxysilane.All the cyano groups were turned into amidoxime(AO)groups to obtain a amidoxime-functionalized sponge(PAO/SiO_(2)-AO)through the subsequent ami-doximation process.The proposed sponge exhibited enhanced uranium adsorption performance with a high removal capacity of 367.12 mg/g,a large adsorption coefficient of 4.0×10^(4)mL/g,and a high removal efficiency of 97.59%.The UO_(2)^(2+)adsorption kinetics perfectly conformed to the pseudo-second-order reaction.The sorbent also exhibited an excellent selectivity for UO_(2)^(2+) with other interfering metal ions.2023 Hohai University.Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.

Stimulatory Effect of Tithonya diversifolia-by Products on Plantain Banana Vivoplants in Nursery (A Review)

Plantain banana is an important cash crop that serves as stable food for millions of people around the world and contributes to income generation. Indeed, they provide a major staple food crop for millions of people and play an important role in the social fabric of many rural communities. Plantain banana cultivation encounters major problem of seedlings unavailability that are essential for the creation of new plantations, as well as parasitic constraints. Mycosphaerella fijiensis is the main pathogen attack constraints of banana plant responsible of black Sigatoka disease, and viruses, which can severely reduce the photosynthetic leaf area, leading to banana production losses of more than 80% in plantations with soil fertility problems. The repeated use of synthetic input is the origin of contamination to the environment, different pollution sources of plants and human health, as well as resistance to some strains of pathogens and plant fertilization problems over time. Recent works carried out in nursery have shown that vivoplants of plantains treated with biostimulants based on natural products notably Tithonia diversifolia biopromote good growth and less susceptibility to M. fijiensis. Indeed, an increase in agromorphological characteristics, good accumulation of growth and defense biomarkers was also observed. In this context, Tithonia diversifolia is shown to be involved in the stimulatory effect mechanism of growth promotion and defensive reaction of plantain vivoplants against various pathogens and it is suggested to be acting as a vital stimulator. This article reviews the current state of knowledge on plantain banana cultivation constraints and on the potential of Tithonia diversifolia in relation with its different stimulatory effects on plantain vivoplants.

Low-temperature replacement construction of three-dimensional corrosion-resistant interface for deeply rechargeable Zn metal batteries

Aqueous Zn batteries are promising candidates for grid-scale renewable energy storage.Foil electrodes have been widely investigated and applied as anode materials for aqueous Zn batteries,however,they suffer from limited surface area and severe interfacial issues including metallic dendrites and corrosion side reactions,limiting the depth of discharge(DOD)of the foil electrode materials.Herein,a low-temperature replacement reaction is utilized to in-situ construct a three-dimensional(3D)corrosion-resistant interface for deeply rechargeable Zn foil electrodes.Specifically,the deliberate low-temperature environment controlled the replacement rate between polycrystalline Zn metal and oxalic acid,producing a Zn foil electrode with distinct 3D corrosion-resistant interface(3DCI-Zn),which differed from conventional two-dimensional(2D)protective structure and showed an order of magnitude higher surface area.Consequently,the 3DCI-Zn electrode exhibited dendrite-free and anticorrosion properties,and achieved stable plating/stripping performance for 1000 h at 10 mA cm^(-2)and 10 mAh cm^(-2)with a remarkable DOD of 79%.After pairing with a MnO2cathode with a high areal capacity of 4.2 mAh cm^(-2),the pouch cells delivered 168 Wh L^(-1)and a capacity retention of 89.7%after 100 cycles with a low negative/positive(N/P)ratio of 3:1.