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The Role of Origami-Assisted Problem Posing Activities in the Geometric Modelling of Identities
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 1, January 2015
Pages:
1-4
Received:
26 December 2014
Accepted:
8 January 2015
Published:
20 January 2015
Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the extent to which origami-assisted problem posing activities affected the ability of elementary school teacher candidates to geometrically model the basic identities (a+b)2, (a-b)2, and (a+b)(a-b), as well as the effect of these activities on geometric modelling. The study group consisted of 55 fourth-year teacher candidates attending a Turkish public university during the 2012-2013 academic year. The study was performed using a qualitative study model. For the qualitative data analysis, this study made use of the descriptive analysis method. Based on the study results, it was observed that instead of using representative modelling during the geometric modelling of identities, elementary school mathematics teacher candidates tended to focus on conceptual knowledge regarding the Harezmi identities, and that they performed geometric modelling based on this knowledge.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the extent to which origami-assisted problem posing activities affected the ability of elementary school teacher candidates to geometrically model the basic identities (a+b)2, (a-b)2, and (a+b)(a-b), as well as the effect of these activities on geometric modelling. The study group consisted of 55 fourth-year...
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Washback in Language Testing
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 1, January 2015
Pages:
5-8
Received:
25 December 2014
Accepted:
13 January 2015
Published:
23 January 2015
Abstract: The term Washback or Backwash has come to the prominence in the literature of English language teaching due to the contributions of Applied Linguistics in the field of ELT. It denotes to the influence which brims from the ongoing testing process on teaching and learning concerns. This term nowadays plays a critical role inside and outside the educational institutions in terms of positive or negative outcomes. Hence, the mismatch among the context, format, examination, and the instructional management would lead into derailing to achieve curriculum objectives, effectively. Such scenario will daunt English language learners to further their communicative competence to learn and affect on the stakeholders perspectives, forwardly. It is worth of note that, researchers in the field of ELT like Wall (1997) made a clear distinction between the micro-washback (the effects on learners and teachers inside the school) and the macro-washback (the impacts on individuals, practices, and policy makers). Consequently, this term has the capacity to create a positive or negative condition which in turn can enhance or obstacle language learning process or stakeholder’s strategic attitudes.
Abstract: The term Washback or Backwash has come to the prominence in the literature of English language teaching due to the contributions of Applied Linguistics in the field of ELT. It denotes to the influence which brims from the ongoing testing process on teaching and learning concerns. This term nowadays plays a critical role inside and outside the educa...
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Preschoolers’ Usage of Unstructured Materials as Play Materials Divergently
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 1, January 2015
Pages:
9-14
Received:
18 December 2014
Accepted:
6 January 2015
Published:
26 January 2015
Abstract: The present study is designed to examine preschool children's (4-5 and 6 years old) attitudes toward unstructured materials and to take their divergent ideas about these materials. Paper napkin, a plastic bottle, bottle lid, toilet paper roll, a piece of white string, a plastic spoon and a 10x10x10 cm³ sized box were used as unstructured materials. 126 children (58 female, 68 male) were selected from four state preschools. For originality scores first an originality index was prepared. Children who gave similar answers scored as 1, children who gave answers that were rarely given by other children, scored 2 and children who gave answers that were not given by others, scored 3. Children's usage of materials and answers were analyzed as originality and fluency by two blind coders. It was found from the study that, most of the children preferred to use materials in usual and ordinary ways, only few children were found to use them creatively as play materials. The results showed that most of the children cannot be able to use the unstructured materials as play materials creatively. Gender difference was found significant in the usage of plastic spoon, box and bottle. Girls tended to use napkin and bottle lid creatively and symbolically as domestic play toy, on the other hand boys had a tendency to use the box and plastic spoon creatively and symbolically. The age factor was also found significant, older children tended to use the materials more creatively than the younger ones.
Abstract: The present study is designed to examine preschool children's (4-5 and 6 years old) attitudes toward unstructured materials and to take their divergent ideas about these materials. Paper napkin, a plastic bottle, bottle lid, toilet paper roll, a piece of white string, a plastic spoon and a 10x10x10 cm³ sized box were used as unstructured materials....
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Perceptions of Undergraduate Students about Three Teaching Methods; Lectures, Practical and Problem Based Learning Sessions
Mohammed Elimam Ahamed Mohammed
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 1, January 2015
Pages:
15-19
Received:
13 September 2014
Accepted:
23 September 2014
Published:
2 February 2015
Abstract: From biochemical education point of view, it is so difficult to make the biochemistry more interesting by adopting one teaching method. The aim of this article is to investigate the perceptions of the undergraduate students of the department of chemistry at king Khalid university about three teaching methods; lectures, practical and problem based learning sessions. A second objective is to compare the students perceptions to their performance in three different exams depending on the information gained from the three teaching methods. 63 students were registered for the basic biochemistry course at the faculty of science- King Khalid University. At the end of the course and before the final exam, the students perceptions about the three teaching methods were investigated through a simple questionnaire composed of four best answer Questions. However, 59 students responded to the questionnaire. The questionnaire was analyzed and its results were compared to the students performance results in the three different final exams. Regarding the students perceptions about the three teaching methods; 22 students (37.3%)stated that the practical sessions were the best teaching method for them followed by the problem based learning sessions (19, 32.2%), 7 students (11.9%) preferred the lectures while 11 students (18.6%) expressed that the three teaching methods were not their favorite methods. Concerning the recalling of the information; 24 (40.6%) expressed that the information of the problem based learning sessions was easy to recall and difficult to forget followed by the information of the practical sessions (17, 28.8%) and lectures (9, 15.3%)and 9 (15.3%) stated the information of all the three methods was difficult to recall and easy to forget. The performance of the students in the final exams and their perceptions were comparable since the success percentage in the practical and problem based learning sessions and lectures were 95.2%, 82.5% and 82.5% respectively. Although the practical and the problem based learning sessions were the best teaching methods for the bulk of the students (41, 69.5%), it is better to follow more different teaching methods to satisfy the majority of the students and to obtain better student performance.
Abstract: From biochemical education point of view, it is so difficult to make the biochemistry more interesting by adopting one teaching method. The aim of this article is to investigate the perceptions of the undergraduate students of the department of chemistry at king Khalid university about three teaching methods; lectures, practical and problem based l...
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The Role of the Chemical Sciences Training on the Emission Control Systems in Vehicles
Murat Cetin,
Oguz Kursat Demirci
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 1, January 2015
Pages:
20-26
Received:
2 January 2015
Accepted:
22 January 2015
Published:
2 February 2015
Abstract: In industrial plants and motor vehicles basic environmental pollutants and trained human factors play a significant role for the reduction of pollution. This paper briefly describes the effect of chemical science, for the various stages used in the automotive technology training, in the Vocational Higher School in Turkish Higher Education System. The methodology used to improve the learning process in the associate degree level to undergraduate, for the automotive technology program unit emission systems course in the internal combustion engine emission laboratory. The aim of this automotive program is the design of products and process that maximize resource and energy efficiency, while minimizing waste, and thus reduces the environmental pollution. In the modern automotive technology, emission analyzers equipped with the skills to develop these sustainable technologies are particularly valuable. At the end of the training; automotive technicians perform laboratory and field tests to monitor environmental resources, and determine the contaminants and sources of environmental pollution. The best job opportunities exist for those with good diagnostic and problem-solving skills and who have been trained in basic electronics skills and new technology systems in the new vehicles.
Abstract: In industrial plants and motor vehicles basic environmental pollutants and trained human factors play a significant role for the reduction of pollution. This paper briefly describes the effect of chemical science, for the various stages used in the automotive technology training, in the Vocational Higher School in Turkish Higher Education System. T...
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The Research on the Training Mode of Applied Technical Talents Based on BSP Ability Guidance
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 1, January 2015
Pages:
27-32
Received:
14 January 2015
Accepted:
26 January 2015
Published:
3 February 2015
Abstract: The University of Applied Sciences is the future school-running orientation of newly established universities. It is an important significance for us to be clear about the training goal, training mode, and the implementation path of the University of Applied Sciences. We take the major of international economy and trade of newly built university as an example, analyzing the transition ways of training mode about applied technical talents, exploring the training mode and the operation mechanism based on BSP ability guidance, concluding the successful experience, and offering the examples and the references for related major construction in this paper. All those above have important practical significance.
Abstract: The University of Applied Sciences is the future school-running orientation of newly established universities. It is an important significance for us to be clear about the training goal, training mode, and the implementation path of the University of Applied Sciences. We take the major of international economy and trade of newly built university as...
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Factors Affecting English Test Scores: A Case Study in Taiwan
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 1, January 2015
Pages:
33-36
Received:
28 August 2014
Accepted:
27 November 2014
Published:
6 February 2015
Abstract: Globalization has been a huge and important impact to almost every industry in all countries. To catch up the trend of globalization, having the most popular language, the English, well trained is particularly important. The study examines factors that affect English test scores for Taiwanese college students using a multivariate regression analysis. The result indicates that gender is an influencing variable with significant impact. Not surprisingly, time spent in outside reading and English study can enhance test scores significantly. Although the test score is less affected by per study hour, it is likely to be much more important than gender. The reason is that influence from gender is fixed since it only affects the scores once, but the effects from study hours can be cumulated. In addition, another factor having considerable impact on test scores is the time spent in soap opera. It is positively related to the test scores but its influence to scores is much smaller. However, the effect can still be large due to its cumulative property. Compared to time spent in moves, time spent in soap opera is more effective than in moves in terms of test scores improvement. The study also implies some potential study strategies that may benefit students either in study efficiency or class and test performance. A typical strategy is efficient allocation of study hours. Time allocation on various subjects is important due to the concern of diminishing return. Therefore, if students can optimize their marginal contribution from study, they may obtain the highest return (scores) from the same input (study hours).
Abstract: Globalization has been a huge and important impact to almost every industry in all countries. To catch up the trend of globalization, having the most popular language, the English, well trained is particularly important. The study examines factors that affect English test scores for Taiwanese college students using a multivariate regression analysi...
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Word Order of Persian and English: A Processing-Based Analysis
Mehri Izadi,
Maryam Rahimi
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 1, January 2015
Pages:
37-43
Received:
22 January 2015
Accepted:
2 February 2015
Published:
11 February 2015
Abstract: Word order refers to analyzing the order of languages syntactic constituent to find out the areas of their similarities and differences. In the present study, we intend to elaborate Persian and English word order mainly based on Dryer (1992) and Dabir Moghaddam (2001). Our research material includes examples driven from 26 orders. We studied these orders in order to present a clearer picture of correlations and diversities between the two languages. Research findings reveal that although Persian is an SOV language and English has the SVO order, these languages represent similarities in half of the 26 orders provided. As to differences, they are different in the application of adposition, noun and relative clause, want and verb, content verb and auxiliary, question particle and sentence, adverbial subordinator and clause, etc.
Abstract: Word order refers to analyzing the order of languages syntactic constituent to find out the areas of their similarities and differences. In the present study, we intend to elaborate Persian and English word order mainly based on Dryer (1992) and Dabir Moghaddam (2001). Our research material includes examples driven from 26 orders. We studied these ...
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