American Journal of Educational Research

The purpose of the study was to analyze the assessment practice of Debre Markos University instructors as a function of training background and teaching experience with reference to final examinations. Furthermore, the study aimed at investigating the perception of students about the classroom assessment practices of their instructors and the perception of teachers on their classroom assessment practices. The subjects of the study were 280 students and 51 instructors from the five colleges. In addition to this 65 final exam papers were collected from the respective colleges. The instruments used for the study were document analysis (i.e., exam papers), and questionnaires. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive techniques and were tested through t-test and one-way ANOVA. The result suggested that there was significant difference in including the general information’s of test construction principles, writing good multiple choice and short answer items as a function of training background. It was also observed that significant difference was observed in including the general information’s of test construction principles and writing good short answer items as a function of teaching experience. Significant mean difference was not observed on the perception of instructors on the assessment practices. However, significant difference was observed in the perception of students about the assessment practice of instructors across different colleges. On the basis of the findings, conclusions were drawn.

American Journal of Educational Research. 2013, 1(8), 300-306. DOI: 10.12691/education-1-8-6
Pub. Date: September 22, 2013

Full-Text PDF

23927 Views8680 Downloads35 Likes

Factors Contributing to the Students Academic Performance: A Case Study of Islamia University Sub-Campus

by Shoukat Ali, Zubair Haider, Fahad Munir, Hamid Khan and Awais Ahmed

Original Research

The present research study was design to investigate the factors affecting academic performance of graduate students of Islamia University of Bahawalpur Rahim Yar Khan Campus. The variables under consideration were the academic performance (student’s grades/marks) as a dependent variable and the gender, age, faculty of study, schooling, father/guardian social economic status, and residential area, medium of schooling; tuition trend, daily study hours and accommodation trend were independent variables. The data were collected from 100 students through separate structured questionnaire from different departments of Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan Campus using the simple random sampling technique. For analysis, linear regression model, correlation analysis, and descriptive analysis were used. The findings revealed that age, father/guardian social economic status and daily study hours significantly contribute the academic performance of graduate students. A linear model was also proposed that will be helpful to improve the academic performance of graduate students at University level.

American Journal of Educational Research. 2013, 1(8), 283-289. DOI: 10.12691/education-1-8-3
Pub. Date: August 08, 2013

Full-Text PDF

384682 Views52951 Downloads25 Likes

The Program of Lecture Course “Concepts of Modern Natural Sciences”

by V. K. Voronov, M. V. Grechneva and L. A. Gerashchenko

Original Research

The present paper deals with the author’s program of lecture course "Concept of modern natural sciences". The program is intended for teaching the students of higher educational institutions of humanitarian, economic and art profile. In this line, the course structure, duration of different types of lessons, the main topics of lectures and seminars are discussed.

American Journal of Educational Research. 2013, 1(8), 344-349. DOI: 10.12691/education-1-8-12
Pub. Date: October 02, 2013

Full-Text PDF

15558 Views5221 Downloads32 Likes

The Effects of Self-efficacy Beliefs and Metacognition on Academic Performance: A Mixed Method Study

by Catherine M. Aurah

Original Research

This study investigated the effect of Self-efficacy Beliefs and Metacognition on Academic Performance among high school students using a mixed method approach. A total of 2,138 form four (12^th grade) students participated in the study. The mixed-method study consisted of a quasi-experimental approach and in-depth interviews. Quantitative data were collected from self efficacy questionnaire (SEQ), biology ability test (BAT), genetics problem solving test (GPST) and metacognitive prompting questionnaire (MPQ). Qualitative data were collected using in-depth interviews. Quantitative data were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics (hierarchical linear regression and factorial ANOVA). Qualitative data were coded, categorized and reported thematically. Regression analysis indicated that self-efficacy was a strong predictor of academic performance. ANOVA analysis displayed statistically significant differences in metacognition in form of metacognitive prompts between groups. Gender effects were also noted with female students outperforming male students on the genetics problem solving test. Subsequent qualitative data suggested that highly efficacious students did better on the tests than less efficacious students. The metacognitive prompting experience provides a rich environment for the development of metacognitive strategies that can promote problem solving skills among high school students.

American Journal of Educational Research. 2013, 1(8), 334-343. DOI: 10.12691/education-1-8-11
Pub. Date: October 01, 2013

Full-Text PDF

28244 Views10153 Downloads33 Likes

School Leadership and Denominational Identity: The Case of Roman Catholic-Founded Schools in Uganda

by Anthony Mugagga Muwagga, Gyaviira Musoke Genza and Rex Ssemulya

Original Research

This paper tries to answer the question: Do leaders in denominational founded schools practice faith based leadership? It attempts to give an explanation why the different stakeholders allege that school leadership is the prime cause for the diminishing presence of denominational identity in most these schools Uganda. The paper uses the Roman catholic founded schools as a case study. Subsequently, it discusses recommendations for reform, including the supposedly ideal qualities of a good ‘faith’ school leader. It calls for rejuvenation of denominational values in the management of schools founded and owned by the Church.

American Journal of Educational Research. 2013, 1(8), 327-333. DOI: 10.12691/education-1-8-10
Pub. Date: October 01, 2013

Full-Text PDF

18901 Views7375 Downloads33 Likes

Conception of Quebec Students in Teacher Education Regarding the Construction Modes of Science Knowledge

by Abdeljalil Métioui and Louis Trudel

Original Research

In the present research, we identified the conceptions of 184 students registered in teacher education for the primary order, in relation to construction modes of scientific notions. To characterize their conceptions, we constructed a questionnaire with numerous choices (QCM) regrouping 16 questions. For every question, the student had to encircle the number which corresponds to its choice (1: In disagreement; 2: I do not know or 3: In agreement) besides pointing out the reasons of his choice. Questions were formulated around 4 topics: (1) the objectives of science and its development limits, (2) the role of measure, experimentation and theory in science, (3) the evolution of science: continuity and breakthrough, and (4) logico-mathematical reasoning in sciences. For example, regarding measure, experimentation and theory, their conceptions oscillate between several opposed tendencies, as realism and empiricism. Also, according to the majority, the development of science is uninterrupted and corresponds to an improvement of theories and of laws developed across different epochs and that theory must follow experience.

American Journal of Educational Research. 2013, 1(8), 319-326. DOI: 10.12691/education-1-8-9
Pub. Date: September 30, 2013

Full-Text PDF

14194 Views5593 Downloads36 Likes

A Few Proposals for Research-based Teaching Project in Chinese Universities- A Case Study of Dalian Nationalities University

by Huiping TAN, Raye Ng and Li CAI

Original Research

This paper describes the design of “Headline News Report on International Business” research-based teaching project of the national bilingual model course “International Business” at Dalian Nationalities University of China and then analyses the implementation and effects of this teaching project. Finally, this paper puts forward some suggestions and reflections of the improvement of the teaching project for bilingual business courses for universities of China.

American Journal of Educational Research. 2013, 1(8), 313-318. DOI: 10.12691/education-1-8-8
Pub. Date: September 28, 2013

Full-Text PDF

18730 Views7123 Downloads35 Likes

Competing Dichotomies in Teaching Computer Programming to Beginner-Students

by David Nandigam and Hanoku Bathula

Original Research

The goal in teaching computer programming is to develop in students the capabilities required of a professional software developer. Beginner programmers suffer from a wide range of difficulties and deficits. Several studies suggest that undertaking computer programming for meeting a real industry application is still a challenge for many students even after studying for a year or two. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the challenges in teaching computer programming to beginner-students and to initiate a dialog in the information and communication technology teaching community on how to teach and assess computer programming courses effectively. We undertake an extensive literature review to identify four major programming dichotomies in teaching computer programming: knowledge versus application, comprehension versus generation, procedural versus object oriented and functional versus imperative. Further, based on our teaching experience, we propose a practical approach to teaching computer programming to beginner-students. The paper discusses the implications to ICT teaching community and how teaching and assessments can be made effective to achieve the goal of making beginner programmer learn not only knowledge but also relevant application skills. We believe that the study would contribute to making ICT teaching more practical and effective in achieving their educational goals.

American Journal of Educational Research. 2013, 1(8), 307-312. DOI: 10.12691/education-1-8-7
Pub. Date: September 22, 2013

Full-Text PDF

15129 Views6109 Downloads33 Likes

The Influence of Singing on 15-year-old Students School Performances in Mathematics, Science and Reading Comprehension

by Elita Maule and Matthäus Hilpold

Original Research

Research suggests that music can act as a catalyst for cognitive skills in other disciplines, and the relation between music and spatial-temporal skills is fascinating. In particular, we are able to confirm, thanks to recent studies, the hypothesis that singing (heard or produced autonomously) improves the learning of language, above all on account of the motivation induced and the better structuring of the discourse within the musical container. However, various questions remain unanswered. Little is known about the precise elements of music education that are positively transferrable to other fields. Moreover, further transversal studies would be necessary to establish the duration of such effects. The study presented here stems precisely from the idea of adding a further step in the understanding of what effect musical and vocal experience, in our case in a family environment, might have on learning as a whole. The study takes into account the results of the survey OECD - PISA 2009 and the answers given by the parents of 2,247,100 fifteen-year-old students about the habit of singing with their children during their early childhood. The results would seem to indicate that the performances of the 15-year-olds in mathematics, science and reading comprehension are positively correlated to the frequency with which they were able to undergo musical-vocal experiences inside the family during their first years of life.

American Journal of Educational Research. 2013, 1(8), 294-299. DOI: 10.12691/education-1-8-5
Pub. Date: September 18, 2013

Full-Text PDF

18585 Views8117 Downloads33 Likes

Enhancing Student Learning Through Local and Global Examples in a Statistics Unit

by Jahar Bhowmik

Original Research

Traditionally, undergraduate students studying social sciences are required to commence with a core unit of quantitative methods. Undergraduate students come from a diverse backgrounds and varied motivations. Teaching statistics to a diverse range of students is challenging. After a review of the existing core statistics unit, changes in the curriculum were effected to address the needs and interests of such a diverse group by broadening the curriculum which includes introduction of local and global examples. These changes of curriculum were designed to improve learning outcomes and student engagement. The paper highlights the value of using accessible and relevant “real life” examples to enhance the learning experience of the wider range of students. Initial results are promising suggesting that curriculum changes have benefited students and improved student satisfaction scores. The use of a range of local and global examples closely aligned to learning activities and assessments have been found to be motivating for students and pilot results demonstrate that students’ satisfaction levels have been improved.

American Journal of Educational Research. 2013, 1(8), 290-293. DOI: 10.12691/education-1-8-4
Pub. Date: September 12, 2013

Full-Text PDF

13597 Views5400 Downloads34 Likes

School Mapping in the Light of Education Reforms in Pakistan

by Muhammad Majid Sabir

Review Article

The main focus of this qualitative study is to address the prevailing situation of school mapping at provincial level of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and its twenty four districts to diagnose the major factors of the reluctances by the educational planners and more specifically to ascertain why its importance is not realized in Educational Management Information System (EMIS). Data were collected by means of interviews with provincial EMIS managers and Executive District Officers; and by means of telephone conversations from the rest of eight districts. The uniqueness of this study is that the results show that planners at Provincial and District levels are aware of the importance of school-mapping although vital efforts have not been made to use it as an instrument in planning.

American Journal of Educational Research. 2013, 1(8), 279-282. DOI: 10.12691/education-1-8-2
Pub. Date: July 17, 2013

Full-Text PDF

23429 Views5890 Downloads34 Likes

The Comparative Effect of Types of Contextual Clues on Iranian EFL Learners’ Prediction of the Meaning of Unknown Vocabularies

by Kolahi SH., Alikhademi Azam and Kehtari M.

Original Research

Understanding the meaning of unknown vocabularies has always been a great challenge for ESL/EFL learners. This study was an attempt to examine whether Iranian EFL learners’ use of contextual clues has any significant impact on their knowledge of unknown vocabularies. The participants of the study were Sixty Iranian intermediate learners of Kish institute in Tehran, Iran. To homogenize the participants in terms of their English language proficiency Practice Tests (PET) was run Forty participants whose score fell one standard deviation above and below the mean were selected to take part in the study. The participants then were randomly divided in to two groups. A Reading test was administered at this stage to check if the participants’ reading proficiency was not significantly different at the outset of the study. The experimental group received the treatment. Four types of contextual clue _ Explanation, Example, Antonym, Synonym _ were taught and practiced during ten sessions of instruction. The control group, on the other hand was taught based on the routine program with no emphasis on contextual clues. The reading section of another version of PET was administered as the post test. A t-test was run to analyze the results. The participants in the experimental group significantly outperformed those in the control group. The analysis of data revealed that knowledge and use of contextual clues has a significant impact on guessing the meaning of unknown vocabularies among Iranian EFL learners. Moreover, the researchers examined the comparative effect of types of contextual clue on learners’ prediction of the meaning of unknown vocabularies. Their finding revealed that synonyms initially have the most effect. Then, explanations (definitions) and antonyms alternatively have effects on learners’ prediction of the meaning of unknown vocabularies.

American Journal of Educational Research. 2013, 1(8), 272-278. DOI: 10.12691/education-1-8-1
Pub. Date: August 07, 2013

Full-Text PDF

23528 Views9710 Downloads32 Likes