American Journal of Educational Research

Although, worldwide, it is claimed a pressing need in ensuring that students are adequately equipped with the right skills to tackle the serious challenges that lay before them, there seems to be a failure in the empirical implementation of the national curricula to meet this goal. STEM courses are provided to students in the form of an authoritative discourse that leaves no room for students’ development of critical, creative, problem-solving and reflective analytical skills. In this research study we explore the argumentation approach and its implementation in an authentic scientific inquiry context as a way of enhancing students’ skills and promoting their construction of knowledge. Towards this aim, we investigate the case study of the European Student Parliaments project in Greece which sets a collaborative learning environment for the implementation of the argumentation approach. This paper will discuss findings from the implementation of the project and elaborate on the required conditions for its realization and efficiency in enabling students to become engaged in the negotiation of authentic scientific issues/problems by providing and sharing multiple alternative perspectives for their solution. Towards our research aims we have registered students’ scientific arguments and we provide findings from the questionnaire that was used as a research tool to identify the efficiency and impact of the approach in enhancing students’ knowledge construction and shaping their attitude towards STEM courses. The research findings have given us an insight into the significance of having students engaged in collectives in meaningful challenges that address authentic issues relevant to their lives. The implementation of collaborative discourse involving arguing from evidence, following the authentic scientific inquiry process, can enhance students’ acquisition of life-long skills and construction of scientific knowledge and meaning generation and motivate them to further engage in the negotiation of scientific issues.

American Journal of Educational Research. 2015, 3(12), 1618-1628. DOI: 10.12691/education-3-12-20
Pub. Date: December 08, 2015

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Different Perceptive Qualities for the Psychomotricity

by Mas Maite, Alba Asunción, Almuedo Mònica, Lluesma Àngels, Rodríguez Anna and Xandri Mercè

Original Research

The sensorial development is the beginning of the cognitive-motor development of the child. In the perspective development of the child the studies show two positions: Piaget [9] and Gibson [5]. According to Piaget, the perception brings the child to the action and where as Gibson it’s the action brings the child to the perception. The aim of the study is to analyze the behaviours that are produced in the psychomotor sessions from the sensations and perceptions which generate a material of different perceptual properties. We select 48 children between 20 and 36 months old from kindergarden in Barcelona province. We make balloons of different sizes, weights and textures. All the balloons are in the box and located in the psychomotricity space with the habitual material of the sessions. Children are free to play with materials. The duration of the session is one hour and is realized in groups of 12 children. Later, the children classify the balloons according to the category. The results show that the size category is the best classified then the weight and finally the texture category. There are significant differences (p=.000) in the weight category between the two groups: the younger group did not distinguish between differing weights while the older group did. There aren’t significant differences (p=.312) in the size category because both classified correctly and in the texture category (p=.134) because neither classified correctly. We considerer that the child learn through movement. Therefore, the action brings the child to the perception so that knowledge of the environment is acquired. The perception exists basically as a guide for the action. The movement which is triggered in motor activity is a form of perception, a way of knowing the world and a way to act on it.

American Journal of Educational Research. 2015, 3(12), 1615-1617. DOI: 10.12691/education-3-12-19
Pub. Date: December 04, 2015

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Analysis of the Influence of Selected Sociodemographic Characteristics on the Effectiveness of Students in the Test of Selected Critical Thinking Skills at the Slovak University of Technology

by Mária Bednáriková, Karol Kováč and Michal Kratochvíla

Original Research

In this contribution we analyse the existence of statistically relevant correlations between students´ fruitfulness in the test regarding selected cognitive abilities and independent variables as they follow: age, gender, form of study, place of residence and previous studies (secondary grammar schools offering general education vs. secondary vocational schools that offer precisely specified vocational education). We have stated that there was statistically significant difference in the overall test efficiency when taking into consideration the criterion – previous studies. Based on this fact we point out that theoretical education supports the ability to abstract rational structure out of the problem situation and so it becomes the fundamental condition for deployment of critical analysis, evaluation and argumentation.

American Journal of Educational Research. 2015, 3(12), 1607-1614. DOI: 10.12691/education-3-12-18
Pub. Date: December 04, 2015

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Primary Social Science Curriculum Terminal Competencies in Bangladesh Focused by Global Policies

by Md. Arifur Rahman and Fahmida Mazid

Original Research

Social Science is necessary to acquire knowledge, attitudes, values and skills for being a perfect social being from the early childhood. To meet the challenges of present world primary social science curriculum is needed to consider global policies in education. Among fifty terminal competencies at primary level in Bangladesh, twenty two competencies are related to social science curriculum. This research aims to find out primary social science curriculum terminal competencies in Bangladesh which are focused by global policies. To do this research, a questionnaire was used as a data collection tools. And also document analysis was done. Both analyses indicate this research as a mix method research. Document of global policies and related articles were selected purposively. Respondents to questionnaire were also selected purposively. In Findings, the study reveal that global policies in education are enough focused in written terminal competencies chart but these are not sufficiently included in curriculum which is the hindrance to meet with global challenge in 21st century.

American Journal of Educational Research. 2015, 3(12), 1597-1606. DOI: 10.12691/education-3-12-17
Pub. Date: December 01, 2015

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Automatic Extraction of Nonlinguistic Representations of Texts to Support Writing

by Eliseo Reategui and Daniel Epstein

Original Research

Graphic organizers may be a helpful instrument in assisting students to structure their text productions. This paper presents a mining tool that is able to extract relevant terms and relationships from texts and shows how the tool may be used to help students in writing summaries. A particular tool is presented, explaining the technique used to analyze the texts, to extract relevant terms and build graphs from them. These graphs are then used by students as graphic organizers, helping them to reflect about the main ideas of the text before the actual writing task. Two experiments are presented in this paper, in which a total of 29 students were asked to read and summarize a short text with the assistance of the text mining tool. Results demonstrated that the tool helped students reflect about the main ideas of the text and supported the actual writing of the summaries.

American Journal of Educational Research. 2015, 3(12), 1592-1596. DOI: 10.12691/education-3-12-16
Pub. Date: December 01, 2015

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The Foundations Constructivism and Design to Trends in the Drafting of Metal Jewelry in Art Nouveau: Analytical Study of Rene Lalique's Jewelry as a New Entrance for Teaching Metal Works in the Faculties of Art Education

by Neivein Abdul Ghaffar Elsaid

Original Research

The Art Nouveau period introduced a brief but remarkably fashionable style. Its designers embraced romanticism, naturalism, and femininity, creating emotive pieces of great harmony and beauty. Nouveau artists worked to emphasize creativity, new themes, techniques and materials. René Lalique (1860-1945) is one of the outstanding representatives of Art Nouveau. Lalique was widely recognized as one of France’s foremost Art Nouveau jewelry designers [1]. His pieces were renowned not just for beauty and creativity, but also for quality and use of his various decorative techniques. Many of Lalique's pieces begin with a symmetrical frame surrounding a design. The frame may consist of a geometric shape, or mirror images of some animals. Often he would embellish the primary design with a dangling jewel or gemstone and/or a motif. Depending on the design they are supporting, used chains are composed of different types of links including bars, squares, Etc [2]. The links can be enameled, or they can be composed strictly of metal. Lalique adapted special techniques for his craft that enabled him to incorporate Japanese imagery into his designs [3]. His open-backed translucent or plique-à-jour enamel-a high point of technical achievement. This research provides a new entrances in teaching metalwork course at the Faculty of art Education with plastic contemporary visions through the Foundations Constructivism and design for Trends the drafting of Metal jewelry in Art Nouveau, so the educational and service institutions can benefit from the development of the artwork in an effort to reach the highest degree of excellence in performance, and through the reach to a set of analytical innovative designs to enriches the field of metal works , in order to identify the theoretical concepts related to the work of metal and jewellry to study the techniques and technical, aesthetic and utilitarian characteristics of Rene Lalique applications in the field of the art of forming metal ornaments.

American Journal of Educational Research. 2015, 3(12), 1579-1591. DOI: 10.12691/education-3-12-15
Pub. Date: December 01, 2015

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A Pragmatic Analysis of Impolite Interruptions of Selected Debates in the Opposite Direction of Al-Jazeera Channel

by Hazim Hakoosh Muarich and Abed Shahooth Khalaf

Original Research

The present paper draws a conversational sketch of impoliteness strategies as employed by interlocutors in the "Opposite Direction" presented by Al-Jazeera satellite channel. In the heat of discussion, interlocutors resort to certain aggressive strategies to attack each other's face in an attempt to get the floor and instigate the other interviewee to react in a more offensive manner. This situation is usually triggered and intensified by the interviewer who is supposed to be neutral and works into managing the interview. The more offensive the debate is, the more interested the viewers will be. The study collates a corpus consisting of one translated episode into English [25] of the ‘Opposite Direction’ covering the topic of ‘The Clash of Civilization and the Class of Religions’ in which the interviewer Faisal Qasim (FQ), a famous journalist on Al-Jazeera Channel invites Wafa Sultan (WS), a writer and a researcher in Los Angles and Ibrahim Al-Khouli (IK), a lecturer at Al-Azher University. The paper adopts Culpeper's Model of impoliteness (1996) in the analysis of impoliteness instances in the selected corpus. Results show that the most common strategies of impoliteness interruptions employed by interlocutors include bold on record impoliteness, mock impoliteness, negative impoliteness, ignorance, showing disinterest and unconcern, using imperatives and direct sarcastic questions that do not seek answers, accusations and ridiculing and using profane language. They also show that the interviewer (FQ) has played a role in instigating the interviewees to resort to impolite interruptions.

American Journal of Educational Research. 2015, 3(12), 1570-1578. DOI: 10.12691/education-3-12-14
Pub. Date: November 30, 2015

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Study of Academic Achievement among Social Skill Deficient and Non Deficient School Students

by Mukesh Devi and M.S Chahar

Original Research

Social skills are the skills we use to communicate and interact with each other, both verbally and non-verbally, through gestures, body language and our personal appearance. Academic achievement of school students particularly at adolescent age depends on various factors including the social skills. The present research study was undertaken to assess the effect of social skills on the academic achievement of school students. The effect of social skill on academic achievement for different background factors was studied separately. The sample consists of 320 students from Kurukshetra district of Haryana state in India. The data obtained was analyzed using mean, S.D’s, T-test and ANOVA. The results revealed that academic achievement have significant dependence on social skills of school students. The study has implications for the parents, teachers and policy makers.

American Journal of Educational Research. 2015, 3(12), 1565-1569. DOI: 10.12691/education-3-12-13
Pub. Date: November 27, 2015

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The Community Higher Education Institutions in Brazil Mission and Vision

by Sirlei de Lourdes Lauxen and Maria Luísa M. Cerdeira

Original Research

This text analyzes community institutions and their role in community development. It presents a qualitative approach, using the analysis of content, graphics, and document analysis to point results. In the history and trajectory, it highlights the representation of twelve percent of higher education enrollments in Brazil. The social role of universities in Rio Grande do Sul state, reveals the connection of institutions with local and regional communities, the commitment to social responsibility and the results of practices and services related to education, research and extension.

American Journal of Educational Research. 2015, 3(12), 1559-1564. DOI: 10.12691/education-3-12-12
Pub. Date: November 24, 2015

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Evaluation of the Quality of Root Canal Treatments Performed by Dental Undergraduates: Is There a Need to Review Preclinical Endodontic Courses?

by Smadi L, Hammad M and El-Ma'aita AM

Original Research

Aim: To evaluate the quality of root canal treatment (RCT) performed by undergraduate (UG) dental students at the Jordan University Dental Hospital (JUDH) using radiographic records. Methods: All RCTs performed by UG students in the period between November 2013 and May 2014 were included in this study (213 teeth). ‘Adequate’ filling quality was defined as having adequate length, density and taper with the absence of any procedural error. Statistical analysis of the resulting data was carried out using the Chi-square test (χ2). Results: 61.5% of treated teeth were adequate in length, 50.5% were adequate in density and 56.1% were adequate in taper; only 29.2 % fulfilled these criteria at the same time, the relationship between the technical quality of root filling and tooth type was statistically significant (P< 0.01); the most adequate found in maxillary anterior teeth (47.1%), the least adequate found in maxillary molar teeth (5.9%). Conclusions: The technical quality of root fillings performed by undergraduate dental students using cold lateral compaction was poor. This suggests that the undergraduate endodontic training at the JUDH needs to be improved.

American Journal of Educational Research. 2015, 3(12), 1554-1558. DOI: 10.12691/education-3-12-11
Pub. Date: November 23, 2015

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Metacognitive Strategy Used by American Students in Learning Indonesian

by Gatut Susanto

Original Research

This research investigated the metacognitive strategy used by American students in learning Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia). The research objective was to identify certain learning behaviors such as the use of metacognitive strategy. The subjects were students of the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) program at the beginning level who were learning Bahasa Indonesia intensively for 8 weeks in the summer period in the BIPA Program at the Faculty the Letters, State University of Malang, Indonesia. Data were collected through (1) direct observation of the learning activities and (2) student interviews. The results showed that CLS students, as a representative sample of American students at the beginning level, demonstrate seven general types of learning behaviors when they learn Bahasa Indonesia. These are (1) anticipating; (2) planning; (3) controlling; (4) monitoring; (5) self-evaluating; (6) self-managing; and (7) self-reflecting.

American Journal of Educational Research. 2015, 3(12), 1348-1353. DOI: 10.12691/education-3-12-10
Pub. Date: November 19, 2015

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Characteristic of Three Kinds of Blended Classes Categorized Using Awareness and Activities

by Isao Miyaji

Original Research

For last 10 years or so, we have been practicing class session through incorporation of “blended learning”. Such class sessions are generally divided into 3 types which are lecture, exercise and experiment. We have been examining utilized media, change in awareness related to ability, useful activities, etc. for such classes. We will be taking up 10 subjects among such classes and will compare the utilized media in the class by comparing the class development. For 30 items that have common awareness, we will conduct significance test and will compare the difference between the subjects. By using the average rating score of pre/post survey of such awareness, its elongation, and the number of activities, we will conduct principle component analysis, and will conduct cluster analysis by using principle component score, and will examine the cause of difference by categorizing the subject. Correlation analysis is conducted using principal component scores to find relation between three kinds of principal component scores. The results of these analysis indicate the following findings. Awareness improves in the order of group “experiment type class”, “exercise type class”, and “lecture type class.” Awareness of "experimental type class" gave indication of greater elongation than that of "exercise type class" and "lecture type class". Awareness of subjects improves mostly in order of Group "experimental type class", "exercise type class", and "lecture type class". As the experience oriented activity time gets longer, the improvement in awareness is increased.

American Journal of Educational Research. 2015, 3(12), 1336-1347. DOI: 10.12691/education-3-12-9
Pub. Date: November 17, 2015

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Project-based Approach to Teaching Standardized Test Construction: A Model for Pre-Service Education Students on How to Standardize a Test

by David M. Gordon, James C. Collins and Kelly L. Jewell

Original Research

The article is a descriptive case study of a project-based approach to simulate test construction in a pre-service undergraduate training program for future teachers. The curriculum for pre-service teachers (PSTs) in the training program involved learning how to develop tests, how to practice using standardized assessment instruments, and to how to interpret the results from testing. The PSTs completed an educational project to acquire hands on teaching skills in relation to test construction and standardizing a test of a sample population. This article discusses the use of a project-based instructional approach by having students develop a standardized test, rather than using a traditional lecture-based approach, to teach basic assessment skills. Results revealed that PSTs learned the necessary foundational knowledge required in the curriculum and enjoyed the hands-on approach to learning. Practical implications and areas in need of future research are discussed.

American Journal of Educational Research. 2015, 3(12), 1328-1335. DOI: 10.12691/education-3-12-8
Pub. Date: November 17, 2015

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Comparison of Students’ Satisfaction and Achievement at Secondary Level in Islamabad

by Muhammad Tanveer Afzal and Munazza Afzal

Original Research

This study aims at investigating satisfaction level of students and their achievement in public and private secondary schools of Islamabad. The respondents of this study were 9th grade students and English teachers (980 students and 98 teachers) of public and private secondary schools of Islamabad. Questionnaire was used for information gathering about satisfaction level of students. The academic achievement was gauged by the result of English subject from the first term examination. Independent sample t-test was applied to investigate the effect of satisfaction level on students’ achievement. The results of the study revealed that satisfaction level have a significant effect on students’ overall academic achievement in the subject of English. From students’ perspective, satisfaction level of private school students was lower but their achievement scores were higher than public school students. It is recommended that teachers should focus on teaching activities and instructional strategies that lead to higher level of satisfaction and academic achievement of students.

American Journal of Educational Research. 2015, 3(12), 1324-1327. DOI: 10.12691/education-3-12-7
Pub. Date: November 17, 2015

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Common and Flexible Use of Mathematical Non Routine Problem Solving Strategies

by Cigdem Arslan and Yeliz Yazgan

Original Research

This study aims to investigate whether high-achieving sixth, seventh and eighth graders can exhibit strategy flexibility while they are solving non-routine problems. In this context, four students from each grade level participated in the study. Four non routine problems were represented to the students one by one in separate papers. Students worked in pairs and all interviews were videotaped. These records, pupils’ scripts, and notes taken by the researchers were used in data analysis. Four criteria (selection and use of the most appropriate strategy, changing strategies when it does not work for the solution of a problem, using multiple strategies for the solution of a problem and changing strategies between problems) were established to determine students’ flexibility levels. Each answer given by pairs was evaluated based on these criteria and scored as 0, 1 or 2. Results showed that students usually can select the most appropriate strategy, and use multiple strategies in one problem. Students were comfortable in using “look for a pattern” and “make a drawing” strategies. On the other hand, the most unfavorable strategy for them was “simplify the problem”. Additionally, there were enterprises to use “write an equation” strategy. Besides, it was observed that students did not need to make a significant change in their thinking ways when their first attempts were wrong and they rarely change their strategies between problems. A longitudinal study including more students at different achievement levels and different kind of non-routine problems will give in-depth information about this subject.

American Journal of Educational Research. 2015, 3(12), 1319-1323. DOI: 10.12691/education-3-12-6
Pub. Date: November 17, 2015

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Information Age to Interaction Age in Legal Education: How Far Have We Progressed?

by Suriyakumari Lane

Original Research

This paper analyses undergraduate legal education in the United Kingdom (with some reference to other countries) in the last 50 years in relation to teaching methods. In the 1960s the emphasis was on the lecturer imparting legal information by means of face-to-face lectures. This was an Information Age with legal education being teacher-centred. The lecturer was the expert whose role was to ensure that students were taught the necessary legal content. The beginnings of the Interaction Age came with the setting up of tutorials/seminars. However, they were mainly teacher-centred, where the tutor gave a mini lecture. The interaction was mainly between the tutor and students. A development of the Interaction Age came with the recognition that in tutorials/seminars the teacher should be a facilitator of learning between students, interacting with each other. The early forms of computer-assisted learning consisted of imparting information to students. Initially, the internet was used mainly to develop websites and place lecture notes and powerpoint slides. Some websites contained interactive self-assessment tutorials, the interaction being only between the learner and the content, placed by the lecturer. The Interaction Age using technology only began when interactive devices such as online discussion forums, chat rooms, video conferencing were utilised to enable interaction between students and between students and lecturers, as co-participants in the learn in process. The literature review indicates that there is little effective use of interactive technological devices to assist learning in higher education institutions providing face-to-face teaching. The Interaction Age has made little progress, with pockets of innovation in a few institutions. The chief obstacles to progress are lecturers still in the Information Age and passive students who wish to be taught rather than to actively learn. In most face-to-face institutions (including those adopting blended learning) lecturers impart information. Students only engage in interaction to co-construct knowledge where the interaction is part of the assessment. The research methodology is to conduct a literature review on teaching methods from the sixties to the present day to investigate the extent to which the teaching is teacher-centred with little interaction between lecturer and students in traditional lectures. The methodology is theoretical and exploratory. The research perspective is historical. The literature was selected to throw light on the teaching methods in the Information Age and the methods in the Interaction Age.

American Journal of Educational Research. 2015, 3(12), 1311-1318. DOI: 10.12691/education-3-12-5
Pub. Date: November 16, 2015

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Teacher's Perceptions of Principals’ Instructional Leadership in Omani Schools

by Yasser F. Alhendawi Al-Mahdy and Amal R. Al-kiyumi

Original Research

The main purpose of this study was to examine teachers’ perceptions of their school principals’ instructional leadership (IL), and the impact gender might has on those perceptions. The Instructional Management Rating Scale (PIMRS) Thai-form of Hallinger and Lee [15] was used to collect data from 368 teachers for measuring principals’ practices of instructional leadership in Omani schools. The main results suggested a moderate level of school principals’ engagement in the three dimensions of instructional leadership. The lowest rated dimension was managing the Instructional Program whereas the highest rated dimension was Creating School Mission. There were significant differences in the first dimension of IL (i.e. creating a school mission) based on gender in favor of female teachers. This study contributes to the body of research on instructional leadership from the Omani cultural context.

American Journal of Educational Research. 2015, 3(12), 1304-1310. DOI: 10.12691/education-3-12-4
Pub. Date: November 13, 2015

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Civil Discourse of Religious Knowledge (For Modern Model of Religious Education)

by Rumyana Ilcheva Neminska

Original Research

The peaceful coexistence of different ethnic groups in Bulgaria is historically justified and is a natural course in public relations. In democratic years Bulgarian education delegate educational rights of every child, regardless of faith and confession. Subjects civic education and religion have their formative role in the development of civic education and religious tolerance. The article examines legal and methodological prerequisites for the development of subjects - civic education and religion as indicators of democracy in Bulgarian schools. Bulgarian democratic changes in school are associated with certain historical events - after the liberation from Ottoman rule in 1878; after the collapse of the communist regime in 1998. In this sense, considered trends in purpose, content and methodology subjects in citizenship and religion. Leading fact in the analysis is that the two school subjects are parallel, concurrent and complementary educational content. They develop or be eliminated in certain democratic or egalitarian departments of the state. Make a comment about the educational and nurturing role of religion and civic education for young people. Provide curriculum for primary education for the development of inter-religious tolerance. It is scientifically proven doctoral thesis "Education for interfaith tolerance (1 - 4 class)."

American Journal of Educational Research. 2015, 3(12), 1296-1303. DOI: 10.12691/education-3-12-3
Pub. Date: November 12, 2015

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Some Aspects of Professional Empowerment to Improve Job Satisfaction of Primary School Teachers

by Fotini Kefalidou, Nikolaos Vassilakis and Konstantinos Pitsalidis

Original Research

Teachers’ job satisfaction and their professional empowerment are two main factors which contribute to education improvement. Purpose of the present study is to investigate and record teachers’ perceptions of their professional empowerment and their beliefs about their job satisfaction. Also the impact of teachers’ demographic and professional characteristics on their perceptions of job satisfaction and the possible correlations between job satisfaction and professional empowerment are examined. The research method is the descriptive and correlative survey, with the use of a self-report questionnaire. Teachers’ perceptions of their professional empowerment are measured by the School Participant Empowerment Scale (SPES), while their job satisfaction by the Job Satisfaction Survey (JSS). The results indicate that teachers who do not have a permanent position in a school and they are obliged to change school environment every year, or they have to work in more than one school each year, they feel less empowered and satisfied. Findings of this study also show that while there is no differentiation as far as it concerns the sex, the marital status, the age, the studies or the previous experience, there are differentiations according to labor relations and the number of schools a teacher works in a year. Regarding job satisfaction, the majority of respondents are of the view that there is an average overall job satisfaction. In addition the research shows that there is a positive correlation between job satisfaction and empowerment. This paper provides useful data about the issue of teachers’ job satisfaction as well as their empowerment and the factors that influence their feelings about their overall job satisfaction and empowerment. The improvement of labor relations and the decrease in the number of schools teachers work in a year, would essentially contribute to their job satisfaction and empowerment.

American Journal of Educational Research. 2015, 3(12), 1289-1295. DOI: 10.12691/education-3-12-2
Pub. Date: November 12, 2015

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Mathematical Problem Solving and Use of Intuition and Visualization by Engineering Students

by Chih-Hsien Huang

Original Research

Deciding on the truth value of mathematical statements is an essential aspect of mathematical practice in which students are rarely engaged. This study explored first year engineering students’ approaches to mathematical statements with unknown truth values, taking a perspective that the construction examples is an activity of problem solving. Task-based interviews utilizing the think-aloud method revealed students problem solving processes in depth. The primary data sources were the protocols of 15 students to the questionnaire, three false statements involved basic concepts about derivative and definite integral. Through analysis of the data. The findings suggest that the factors the participants failed to solves problems include: mathematical intuition and prototype example hindered the constructing of counterexamples, there are two dangers in visualizing -figures can induce false conclusions and figures can mislead our reasoning.

American Journal of Educational Research. 2015, 3(12), 1284-1288. DOI: 10.12691/education-3-12-1
Pub. Date: November 12, 2015

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