Practice characteristics that lead to 21st century learning outcomes

Abstract The key research question for this study was to ask whether or not innovative teaching practices would lead to the development of learning outcomes essential for preparing the younger generation for the challenges of life in the knowledge society of the 21st century, and if so, how are the pedagogical features related to the different learning outcomes. Preliminary analyses of the case study data collected from the SITES M2 Study in Hong Kong reveal that where the development of more significant learning gains were observed, the cases possess characteristics additional to the criteria defined in the Study for selection of innovation. More importantly, it was found that the impact of the pedagogical practices was not determined simply by the aggregation of characteristics of the practices per se , nor on the technologies used, but on whether 'empowerment' permeates the curriculum goal and process. Further, this paper claims that these affective and socio-cognitive learning outcomes are more important as preparation for lifelong learning in the 21st century than 'knowledge management competencies'.     

“里特罗”风格与平面设计

“里特罗”风格的设计流派的特点是强调历史风格的复古和重构,是对欧洲20世纪上半叶的平面设计风格的复兴。“里特罗”风格既是对这个时期的风格特点的偏爱和认可,又是对当时的现代主义和国际主义中的沉闷、刻板、乏味以及过分理性的反对。由于这个风格是对20世纪20年代至30年代流行的某些平面风格的复兴及演绎,对于今天的平面设计依然有着重要的影响。     

“微课”在高职《计算机应用基础》课程中的应用

随着现代化教学手段的不断发展,＂微课＂作为一种新的教学模式,在《计算机应用基础》课堂中的应用也越来越广泛。由于＂微课＂的特点与现代社会的发展节奏以及学生的认知特点等契合程度比较高,所以＂微课＂在高校教学中受到了广泛的欢迎。在本文中,我们试图通过对＂微课＂在高职《计算机应用基础》课程中的应用进行分析,以充分发掘＂微课＂在《高职计算机应用基础》课程教学中的优势作用。     

论高职院校之视觉形象设计

本文从"CI"与"VI"的涵义、高职院校进行视觉形象设计的必要性及高职院校视觉形象设计的构思三方面入手进行了详细地论述,旨在说明高职院校视觉形象设计对挖掘学校的精神、办学理念,提高校园的文化格调,塑造学校良好形象的重要性和时代意义。     

A new framework for understanding educational digital library use: re-examining digital divides in U.S. schools

Despite their decade of deployment, educational digital libraries have not achieved sustained use in elementary and secondary schools in the United States. Barriers to accessing the Internet and computers have been widely targeted by myriad initiatives, but efforts aimed at bridging this first-level “digital divide” have not led to increased use of the Internet and digital library resources in U.S. classrooms. In fact, such programs have revealed additional divides that affect educators’ use. This paper examines the additional digital divide levels and proposes a new framework for understanding technology innovation in schools that can improve development and outreach approaches by digital library developers.     

Indoor air quality in Portuguese schools: levels and sources of pollutants

Indoor air quality (IAQ) parameters in 73 primary classrooms in Porto were examined for the purpose of assessing levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), aldehydes, particulate matter, ventilation rates and bioaerosols within and between schools, and potential sources. Levels of VOCs, aldehydes, PM_2.5, PM₁₀, bacteria and fungi, carbon dioxide (CO₂), carbon monoxide, temperature and relative humidity were measured indoors and outdoors and a walkthrough survey was performed concurrently. Ventilation rates were derived from CO₂ and occupancy data. Concentrations of CO₂ exceeding 1000 ppm were often encountered, indicating poor ventilation. Most VOCs had low concentrations (median of individual species <5 μg/m³) and were below the respective WHO guidelines. Concentrations of particulate matter and culturable bacteria were frequently higher than guidelines/reference values. The variability of VOCs, aldehydes, bioaerosol concentrations, and CO₂ levels between schools exceeded the variability within schools. These findings indicate that IAQ problems may persist in classrooms where pollutant sources exist and classrooms are poorly ventilated; source control strategies (related to building location, occupant behavior, maintenance/cleaning activities) are deemed to be the most reliable for the prevention of adverse health consequences in children in schools.     

Endotoxin levels in settled airborne dust in European schools: the HITEA school study

Indoor exposure to microbial agents is known to influence respiratory health. Besides home exposure, exposure in schools can affect respiratory health. In this study, we measured endotoxin in settled dust in primary schools in three European countries from three different geographical regions with different climates. Our aim was to characterize endotoxin levels in primary schools and evaluate associations with potential determinants. Endotoxin levels were repeatedly assessed in 23 schools in Spain (n = 7), the Netherlands (n = 10), and Finland (n = 6) using electrostatic dustfall collectors. In total, 645 measurements were taken in 237 classrooms. Endotoxin levels differed significantly between countries; Dutch schools had the highest levels, while Finnish schools showed the lowest levels. In each country, differences in endotoxin levels were observed between schools and over the sampling periods. Estimates improved after adjustment for sampling period. Factors affecting endotoxin levels in a school differed per country. In general, endotoxin levels were higher in lower grades and in classrooms with higher occupancy. School endotoxin levels may contribute significantly to total endotoxin exposure in children and teachers. As the correlation between the repeated measurements is reasonable, single endotoxin measurements form a reasonable basis for estimating annual endotoxin levels in schools.     

Applications,Enrollment, Attendance,and Student Performance in Rebuilt School Facilities: A Case Study

Public school construction represents a significant portion of all construction spending in the United States; yet, the average age of United States’ public schools is 42 years old. This article focuses on magnet schools in a large urban school district in the United States. The study examines whether construction, building age, and building condition have an impact on magnet applications, enrollment, attendance, and student achievement measures. Twenty-eight magnet elementary schools in the school district were chosen for analysis. The experimental group (n=14) included all magnet elementary schools (kindergarten to 5^th grade [K-5]) rebuilt under three school bond programs. The control group (n=14) included randomly selected elementary schools (K-5) from the 32 remaining elementary schools in the district that were not rebuilt. Multiple regressions were conducted using building and student data gathered during the 2011-2012 school year. Results indicate that building composite score and building age had no observable predictive effects on magnet applications, student enrollment, or student attendance, in both groups. However, student achievement was positively affected by building composite score as measured by the ability to predict state percentile ranking. This study supports that building and maintaining high quality educational facilities has the potential to raise student achievement levels.     

中外合作办学教学探索

中外合作办学开创了我国高等教育的新途径．构建了中外教育全面接触、互相学习与合作交流的平台。探讨我校中外合作办学的教学计划，师资队伍建设、教学改革、学风建设等。办学思路是：提高认识，积极探索办学模式；更新传统教育观念，探索办学特色，增强创新意识；提高师资水平，加强各项管理工作的实施，     

基于Web的中学选课系统的设计与实现

在对某中学手工选课过程分析的基础上,使用UML可视化建模技术对基于Web的中学选课系统进行了分析与设计,同时介绍了系统的实现与测试,并在试运行的基础上对系统的进一步完善提出了改进方案。