Amount Of Instruction Research Articles

Task-based Instruction and Vocabulary Learning: A Comparative Study of Jigsaw and Information Gap Tasks on Vocabulary Learning

This study investigated Iranian intermediate EFL learners’ vocabulary learning within the paradigm of Task Based Language Teaching through instructing jigsaw and information-gap tasks. To this end, 60 intermediate EFL learners were selected. They were all female and their age range was between 16-17 years old. Then the experimental groups in which one group with the use of jigsaw and one with information-gap received task based instruction for one session each week for five weeks, while the control group experienced the same amount of instruction as ordinary classes. At the end of the study, all subjects were assigned a 50-item multiple choice vocabulary test. A one-way ANOVA was used to analyze the data. The results indicated that TBI had a significant effect ( p =.000< .05) on promoting vocabulary knowledge of Iranian intermediate EFL learners; there existed a significant difference between the experimental groups’ performances in the assigned tests, as well. The main pedagogical implication of this study is for teachers in that by involving learners in task completion and enjoying the process, learners can improve their vocabulary knowledge and accordingly their language proficiency.

The Impact of Embedded Story Structures versus Sequential Story Structures on Critical Thinking of Iranian Intermediate EFL Learners

Confirming the constructive effects of reading comprehension on critical thinking, this paper attempted to investigate the impact of story structures on critical thinking of Iranian EFL learners. In doing so, the researcher utilized a quasi–experimental design with 60 intermediate students who were divided into two embedded story structures and sequential story structures groups (experimental groups). After taking PET, a critical thinking questionnaire was employed as a pre-test. The two groups received 16 sessions of treatment. All participants received similar amount of instruction but one group was given embedded short stories and the other group sequential short stories. To compare the two groups, they were received the parallel critical thinking questionnaire as a post-test. The two null hypotheses in this study were rejected due to different performance of the two groups. Statistical results did not support the superiority of neither structures. Therefore, the researcher was not able to suggest which structure caused a better or higher impact on critical thinking. However, the findings reveal that teaching story structures in EFL context can develop critical thinking of intermediate EFL learners. The study have some implications for test-designers, teachers, and students.

Lexis-Based Instruction and IELTS Candidates’ Development of L2 Speaking Ability: Use of Formulaicity in Monologic Versus Dialogic Task

Although lexis research (e.g., Lewis, 1997; Taguchi, 2008) has already evidenced the possibility of teaching formulaic sequences (FS), further research is still needed to examine the procedures or frameworks through which the approach can be applied and probe the second or foreign language (L2) areas where it demonstrates more relevance. This pretest-posttest quasi-experimental study aimed, firstly, to compare the effects of intensive and extensive lexis-based L2 instructions on the development of IELTS candidates’ speaking performance and, secondly, to explore whether different types of speaking tasks (i.e., monologic vs. dialogic) have any differential effects on the frequency of using FS by L2 learners. To this end, three intact classes including 40 L2 learners preparing themselves for IELTS in a language center in Iran were randomly assigned to one control and two experimental groups. The groups received the same amount of instruction, however differently, two receiving intensive and extensive instructions in FS (or unanalyzed chunks) and the other receiving conventional non-lexis instruction. The results revealed that both lexis groups outperformed the control group pointing to the effectiveness of both intensive and extensive lexis-based instructions to the learners’ development of speaking proficiency. Moreover, the results showed no significant difference between the effects of intensive and extensive types of lexis instructions upon IELTS candidates’ development of speaking performance. Further, it was revealed that dialogic tasks were more conducive to the FS use than monologic tasks. Finally, the implications for L2 theory and pedagogy are discussed.

Combining gesture with verbal instruction promotes problem-solving skills among young children attempting difficult tasks

Extensive research shows that caregivers’ speech and gestures can scaffold children’s learning. This study examines whether caregivers increase the amount of spoken and gestural instruction when a task becomes difficult for children. We also examine whether increasing the amount of instruction containing both speech and gestures enhances children’s problem-solving. Ninety-three 3- to 4-year-old Chinese children and their caregivers participated in our study. The children tried to assemble two jigsaw puzzles (with 12 pieces in one and 20 in the other); each puzzle was attempted in three phases. The order in which the puzzles were to be solved was randomized. In Phases 1 and 3, the children tried to solve the puzzles alone. In Phase 2, the children received instruction from their caregivers. The children assembled a smaller proportion of the 20-piece puzzle than of the 12-piece one, suggesting that the 20-piece puzzle was more difficult than the 12-piece one. The caregivers produced more spoken and gestural instruction for the 20-piece than for the 12-piece puzzle. The proportion of the instruction employing both speech and gesture (+InstS+InstG) was significantly greater for the 20-piece puzzle than for the 12-piece puzzle. More importantly, the children who received more instruction with +InstS+InstG performed better in solving the 20-piece puzzle than those who received less instruction of the same type. Those who did not receive +InstS+InstG instruction performed less successfully in Phase 3. However, the facilitating effect of instruction with +InstS+InstG was not found with the 12-piece puzzle. Our findings suggest that adults should incorporate speech and gesture in their instruction as frequently as possible when teaching their children to perform a difficult task.

Early childhood educators' knowledge, beliefs, education, experiences, and children's language- and literacy-learning opportunities: What is the connection?

In this study, we investigated how multiple types of knowledge and beliefs, along with holding an early childhood-related degree and teaching experience, were linked to amounts of early childhood educators' language and literacy instruction. Quantile regression was used to estimate associations between these variables along a continuum of language and literacy instruction for 222 early childhood educators. In general, low levels of language- and literacy-related instruction were observed; however, the use of quantile regression afforded unique insight into the associations of knowledge, beliefs, education, and teaching experience with instruction when levels of instruction were sufficient. These findings would not have been visible with traditional, linear regression models. Specifically, two types of knowledge were examined: disciplinary-related content knowledge about the structure of language and knowledge for use in teaching language and literacy to young children. Only educators' disciplinary content knowledge was associated with amount of instruction. Associations between beliefs about language and literacy instruction and amount of instruction were less consistent. Generally, holding an early childhood related degree was positively associated with language and literacy instruction whereas teaching experience was negatively associated with the amount of instruction. Implications for studying educators and understanding the associations among educator characteristics and instruction are discussed.

The effect of systematic academic instruction on behavioural and academic outcomes of students with EBD

This study aims to assess the impact of systematic academic instruction on academic progress and behavioural problems of students with emotional and/or behavioural disorders (EBD) in special education. Earlier studies have noted the importance of a systematic approach as well as the significance of focusing on academic instruction instead of on behaviour. On the basis of these studies, it was hypothesised that the amount of teachers’ systematic academic instruction positively influences the academic progress of students with EBD as well as their behaviour. The amount of systematic academic instruction by teachers in daily teaching (N = 88) and the behaviour and academic progress of a sample of their students (N = 234) were measured and analysed by means of multilevel analyses. The results show a significant relationship between systematic academic instruction and academic outcomes. However, academic outcomes taking into account previous academic performance and behavioural outcomes could not be related to systematic academic instruction. Implications for research on the daily practice of special education are discussed.

The effectiveness of increased support in reading and its relationship to teachers' affect and children's motivation

The aims of this study were, firstly, to identify different groups of teacher–child dyads on the basis of the longitudinal associations between teachers' individual support in reading and children's reading skills, and, secondly, to examine whether the groups thus identified differ with respect to various teacher- and child-related factors. A total of 372 teacher–child dyads were examined. The reading skills of 6- to 7-year-old Finnish-speaking children were measured at the beginning and end of Grade 1. The amount of teachers' support in reading for a particular child was gathered from teachers by questionnaires. Regression Mixture Modeling identified three latent groups of teacher–child dyads: Among 38% of the dyads, teachers' increased support in reading for a particular child positively predicted the development of the child's reading skills; among 13% of the dyads, teachers' support in reading had no association with the child's reading skills; and among the remaining 49% of the dyads, children acquired reading skills slowly irrespective of teachers' efforts to support their learning. Teachers' individual support in reading was positively related to the reading skills for children who were initially interested in reading, and who showed low levels of externalizing problem behavior. Moreover, teachers experienced less negative affect and reported less teaching-related stress when supporting children whose reading skills were developing faster in respect to reading instruction (vs. when working with children whose acquisition of reading skills developed more slowly).

The effect of content and language integrated learning on students' English and history competences – Killing two birds with one stone?

Abstract By failing to appropriately control for selection effects, most previous research has overestimated the effects of Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) on the development of students' foreign language skills. Furthermore, the CLIL-effect on the content subject is still widely unknown. Therefore, the present study investigated skill development of 1806 German CLIL and non-CLIL eighth-graders in English and History controlling for a wide range of student, classroom and teacher characteristics. Results of multilevel modelling confirmed that CLIL-classrooms showed greater increases in English listening comprehension but not general English skills as measured by a C-test than non-CLIL-classrooms. In History, the increases in subject knowledge over one school year were comparable despite CLIL-students' larger amount of instruction (three instead of two hours per week). The results confirm previous, differential findings for English. For the content subject, they indicate that CLIL-classrooms need to invest substantially more time to achieve comparable learning outcomes.

Matematik Öğretmenlerinin Zümre Öğretmenler Kurulunun Etkililiği Hakkındaki Görüşlerinin İncelenmesi

The aim of this study is to investigate the views of mathematics teachers on the effectiveness of branch teachers’ committee meeting. The study was carried out with 97 (61 elementary school and 36 secondary school) mathematics teachers who were working in different regions of Turkey. For data collection, a questionnaire consisting of 20 items developed by Demirtas and Comert (2006) and a form included open-ended questions were used. In order to analyze the gathered data, content analysis technique was performed. At the end of the study it was observed that the views of mathematics teachers on effectiveness of committee meetings are amount to on average. Besides, the quantitative findings, the answers given to open – ended questions showed that a considerable amount of teachers see branch teachers’ committee meeting as a matter of form and have weak beliefs in the necessity of the meetings. Through the findings gathered, some recommendations were made by the researchers

Teacher Feedback, Tasks, and Learner Uptake in EFL Classrooms

Task-based language instruction has been increasingly promoted in second language (L2) classrooms under the assumption that it can provide an ultimate condition for L2 learning when combined with form-focused interventions such as teacher corrective feedback (CF). The present research investigated the amount, type, and learner uptake of teacher CF in relation to the following task-related variables: (1) task vs. nontask work, (2) focused vs. unfocused tasks, and (3) open vs. closed tasks. Data were collected from 8 intermediate adult EFL classrooms. It was found that the amount of teacher CF provided during tasks versus nontasks and focused versus unfocused tasks was not significantly different. However, the teachers used different strategies depending on the focus of tasks. The study did not relate the matter of open versus closed tasks to the amount and types of teacher CF. When considering learner uptake, the study found that the teachers tended to offer more uptake opportunities during relatively form-oriented activities, and the learners’ uptake was more successful when they were working in relatively form-oriented activities compared to the cases where they were in meaning-based activities. Learner uptake was not associated with whether or not tasks were open and closed.

Comparative Study of Globalism Amount of High School Teachers and Students in Semnan City: Evidence from Iran

Globalism is a basic phenomenon that impresses not only economic, social, and industrial aspects of human life but also has revolved educational, cultural, and religious lives of different people across the globe. This study aims at the comparative study of globalism amount of high school teachers and students regarding social, cultural, political, and economic dimensions. In this study, the factors of gender, residence place and level, social and economic status, education level, and access to new media like satellite and Internet have been considered as effective factors in globalism amount of teachers and students. Hypotheses were tested using survey approach. Statistical population included all high school teachers and students in Semnan City (Iran) in school year of 2013-2014. Using simple random sampling, the sample size of 490 (190 teachers and 300 students) was achieved. To gather data, a researcher-made questionnaire was used. Results showed that students have higher globalism tendency compared with their teachers that is statistically significant asa well. Finally, pathologically, globalism difference of students with teachers leads to emotional, cultural, and ideological gaps between teachers and students which and can be identified as a big cultural alarm in the society.

Implementation of a team-based physician staffing model at an academic emergency department.

IntroductionThere is scant literature regarding the optimal resident physician staffing model of academic emergency departments (ED) that maximizes learning opportunities. A department of emergency medicine at a large inner-city academic hospital initiated a team-based staffing model. Its pre-interventional staffing model consisted of residents and attending physicians being separately assigned patients, resulting in residents working with two different faculty providers in the same shift. This study aimed to determine if the post-interventional team-based system, in which residents were paired with a single attending on each shift, would result in improved residents’ learning and clinical experiences as manifested by resident evaluations and the number of patients seen.MethodsThis retrospective before-and-after study at an academic ED with an annual volume of 52,000 patients examined the mean differences in five-point Likert-scale evaluations completed by residents assessing their ED rotation experiences in both the original and team-based staffing models. The residents were queried on their perceptions of feeling part of the team, decision-making autonomy, clinical experience, amount of supervision, quality of teaching, and overall rotational experience. We also analyzed the number of patients seen per hour by residents. Paired sample t-tests were performed. Residents who were in the program in the year preceding and proceeding the intervention were eligible for inclusion.Results34 of 38 eligible residents were included (4 excluded for lack of evaluations in either the pre- or post-intervention period). There was a statistically significant improvement in resident perception of the quality and amount of teaching, 4.03 to 4.27 (mean difference=0.24, p=0.03). There were non-statistically significant trends toward improved mean scores for all other queries. Residents also saw more patients following the initiation of the team-based model, 1.24 to 1.56 patients per hour (mean difference=0.32, p=0.0005).ConclusionAdopting a team-based physician staffing model is associated with improved resident perceptions of quality and amount of teaching. Residents also experience a greater number of patient evaluations in a team-based model.

Support for Extended Discourse in Teacher Talk With Linguistically Diverse Preschoolers

A study was conducted in a large Head Start organization that serves large numbers of Latino children in order to empirically describe the nature and quality of the classroom language learning environment. By observing 147 literacy-based lessons in 6 classrooms and surveying 167 teachers throughout the organization, we investigated the amount of teachers' use of extended discourse during literacy-based lessons, and when and how Spanish and/or English was used as the medium of communication. Research Findings: Only 22% of the 147 literacy-based lessons observed fostered extended discourse; the most commonly implemented lesson was characterized by a routine format of the teacher talking and the children listening. English was regarded as the language of instruction, whereas Spanish was used mostly to regulate behavior and emotions. By fitting multilevel models to the data, we found that teaching practice was relatively stable across the classrooms. Practice or Policy: More emphasis should be placed on professional training focused on supporting classroom language interactions that foster literacy development and on the use of language that best fosters and facilitates such extended discourse.

Better in both? Bilingual intervention in an Australian school context

This study evaluated a bilingual intervention in the key learning area of mathematics. Nine typically developing Samoan–English students received math lessons in both Samoan and English. A control group of Samoan–English students received all lessons in English. The material covered and the amount of instruction was the same for each group. The only difference was in the language of instruction. Two assessments measured progress in early mathematical skills and concept development. Initial data from each test in isolation indicated no additional benefit for students who received bilingual intervention. Further analysis revealed two interesting patterns of learning between tests. First, all students more easily acquired rote mathematical skills and knowledge than conceptual knowledge and its associated vocabulary. Second, there were differences in patterns of learning between groups. The control group acquired mathematical skills but made limited progress acquiring conceptual knowledge. In contrast, the intervention group demonstrated more balanced learning: acquisition of core math skills was matched by gains in conceptual development. We propose that bilingual intervention facilitated English word learning, producing improved learning of core skills linked to underlying conceptual knowledge.

‘Look closely at what I’m doing!’ Scaffolding in individual string lessons: Two case studies

In this article, we provide a process description of scaffolding in music lessons based on the scaffolding model of Van Geert and Steenbeek (2005). Scaffolding is a form of socially mediated learning in which teacher and student constantly adapt their behavior to one another in order to reach a goal. To illustrate this process, data from video-observations of two teacher-student dyads in Suzuki string lessons were analyzed to see how well this data fits the Van Geert and Steenbeek model. Results show the dynamic connection between amount of instruction and instruction type on the one hand and performance level of the student on the other hand. Results also show that the process of socially mediated learning takes the form of an increasing overlap between student and teacher actions, i.e. an increase of the joint action over time.

Capturing the complexity: Content, type, and amount of instruction and quality of the classroom learning environment synergistically predict third graders' vocabulary and reading comprehension outcomes.

We examined classrooms as complex systems that affect students' literacy learning through interacting effects of content and amount of time individual students spent in literacy instruction along with the global quality of the classroom-learning environment. We observed 27 third grade classrooms serving 315 target students using two different observation systems. The first assessed instruction at a more micro-level; specifically, the amount of time individual students spent in literacy instruction defined by the type of instruction, role of the teacher, and content. The second assessed the quality of the classroom-learning environment at a more macro level focusing on classroom organization, teacher responsiveness, and support for vocabulary and language. Results revealed that both global quality of the classroom learning environment and time individual students spent in specific types of literacy instruction covering specific content interacted to predict students' comprehension and vocabulary gains whereas neither system alone did. These findings support a dynamic systems model of how individual children learn in the context of classroom literacy instruction and the classroom-learning environment, which can help to improve observations systems, advance research, elevate teacher evaluation and professional development, and enhance student achievement.

Testing the theory of successful intelligence in teaching grade 4 language arts, mathematics, and science.

This study addressed whether prior successes with educational interventions grounded in the theory of successful intelligence could be replicated on a larger scale as the primary basis for instruction in language arts, mathematics, and science. A total of 7,702 4th-grade students in the United States, drawn from 223 elementary school classrooms in 113 schools in 35 towns (14 school districts) located in 9 states, participated in the program. Students were assigned, by classroom, to receive units of instruction that were based either upon the theory of successful intelligence (SI; analytical, creative, and practical instruction) or upon teaching as usual (weak control), memory instruction (strong control), or critical-thinking instruction (strong control). The amount of instruction was the same across groups. In the 23 comparisons across 10 content units in 3 academic domains, there were only a small number of instances in which students in the SI instructional groups generally performed statistically better than students in other conditions. There were even fewer instances where the different control conditions outperformed the SI students. Implications for the future of SI theory and the scalability of research efforts in general are discussed.

Entwicklung, Umsetzung und Evaluation pflegerischer Interventionen für Menschen mit Demenz in der stationären Altenhilfe in Deutschland – eine Literaturstudie

In 2007 guidelines for the care of people with dementia living in nursing homes, especially for handling challenging behaviour, have been published that recommend certain interventions. The aim of this study is a systematic review of publications about projects and the development and utilisation of interventions recommended in the German guideline in German nursing homes. For this purpose, 22 publications from 8 projects were analysed. The analysis was carried out on the basis of the CReDECI-criteria for the reporting of complex interventions. The publications described the application of reminiscence-therapy, Snoezelen, Dementia Care Mapping (DCM) and the use of understanding diagnostics as well as assessment instruments. Although the interventions were based on similar theoretical frames and had the same aim they contained different components. For the implementation a considerably amount of teaching and support by the project members was needed. A process evaluation as well as information about necessary adaptations to general conditions was given seldom. Partly, information that is important for the use in practice as well as in continuative studies is missing in the publications.

Littlewood and number theory

J E Littlewood (1885–1977) was a British mathematician well known for his joint work with G H Hardy on Waring’s problem and the development of the circle method. In the first quarter of the 20th century, they created a school of analysis considered the best in the world. Littlewood firmly believed that research should be offset by a certain amount of teaching. In this exposition, we will highlight several notable results obtained by Littlewood in the area of number theory.

델파이 분석을 통한 조경설계공모 과정의 문제점 분석

This study has been performed to analyze and consider the problems after 30 years in terms of landscape design competition process in Korea, so that it can provide the basic data, which can improve the future landscape design competition. We have used Delphi Investigation to carry out a survey that targets professionals and identifies problems. The results are summarized as follows. Firstly, the results of the analysis of Landscape Design Competition for institution theory and case studies showed that there is an issue from four perspectives which are `method of design competition`, `guidelines for design competition`, `winner selection process`, and `design changes after winning` Secondly, the process by professional Delphi performed expert analysis, and agree with expert opinion. As a result, we derived the problems of a landscape design competition system with the 12 items. Third, in the `design competition style`, two items, the `design competition style` and `problem of design public offering period` had become a problem. Fourth, the `Guidelines for design competition`, `non-hierarchical excess of the amount of instructions`, `directive determined the guidelines`, and the `provision of confusion` three items had also become a problem. Fifth, `sex expert committee review selection process winning work`, `Problems of participation`, `examination scoring system experts lack`, and `non-landscaping` had become a problem. Sixth, `The design of the original order` as much as possible `design changes after the winning work` Four `order to Comments to reduce the creativity of the design of the climate`, `original extension`, `contractor feedback of excess without the promise of frequent personnel changes`, design period of the person in charge is reflected in excess item has become a problem. I considered that a continuous research on the improvement of the problems of the landscape design competition system based on the results must be performed.