Education Commons^™

Staff In Australia’S Schools 2013: Main Report On The Survey, Phillip Mckenzie, Paul R. Weldon, Glenn Rowley, Martin Murphy, Julie Mcmillan

Dr Glenn Rowley (retired)

This report provides an overview of the results obtained from the Staff in Australia’s Schools (SiAS) 2013 survey commissioned by the Australian Government Department of Education and conducted by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER). The work was supported by an Advisory Committee of government and non-government school authorities and other stakeholder groups. The survey was intended to provide a detailed picture of the Australian teacher workforce, and to gather information to assist in future planning of the workforce. It was also designed to provide comparative and updated data following on from the previous SiAS surveys conducted in 2006-07 …

Analysis Of Bibliometrics Information For Select The Best Field Of Study, Nader Ale Ebrahim

Nader Ale Ebrahim

Bibliometrics can be defined as the statistical analysis of publications. Bibliometrics has focused on the quantitative analysis of citations and citation counts which is complex. It is so complex and specialized that personal knowledge and experience are insufficient tools for understanding trends for making decisions. We need tools for analysis of Bibliometrics information for select the best field of study with promising enough attention. This presentation will provide tools to discover the new trends in our field of study in order to select an area for research and publication which promising the highest research impact.

Blogging And Microblogging For Enhancing The Research Accessibility, Nader Ale Ebrahim

Nader Ale Ebrahim

Scholarly blogs and Microblogs such as Twitter are increasingly attracting attention as new channels of science communication. Blogs and microblogging services like Twitter get your research seen by more non-academics than your peer reviewed papers will ever be. The importance of this is not to be dismissed. Blogs and microblogs are vital tools for academics to publicly communicate about research developments and findings. Academics can also gain feedback from other peers, as well as expand their networks and enhance research visibility. This presentation will provide guidelines on blogs and microblogs as tools for increasing the article visibility and citations. Increased …

Using A Bayesian Approach To Evaluate The Accuracy Of Economies Of Scope: Examples From Australian Public Universities, Liang-Cheng Zhang, Jia-Jia Syu, Andrew C. Worthington

Dr Liang-Cheng Zhang

Investing In Teachers

Adeola Capel

Year Four Of The Qep: So Close Yet So Far, Kelly Whealan George, Aaron D. Clevenger

Aaron D. Clevenger

Optimize Your Article For Search Engine, Nader Ale Ebrahim

Nader Ale Ebrahim

The number of citations a paper receives helps to determine the impact of your research. Even if your research is excellent, if no one finds your paper, it won’t be cited. Similar to a company for marketing a retail product, Academic Search Engine Optimization (ASEO) of your journal papers is important to market your research findings. ASEO is almost obligatory if you would like to increase readership of your papers, increase citations and acknowledgment and to create an overall stronger academic visibility, both offline and online. By optimizing your articles, you guarantee that your articles are indexed and gain a …

How To Select A Brand Name For Your Research Interest?, Nader Ale Ebrahim

Nader Ale Ebrahim

The first challenge of the researcher is to choose an interesting and unique research brand. The research brand name should appear in the title, abstract and keywords of the paper. The title is extremely important and must be chosen with great care as it will be read by thousands, whereas few will read the entire paper. On the other hand, indexing and abstracting of the paper depends on the accuracy of the title. An improperly titled paper will get lost and will never be read. The unique research name makes title meaningful and not general.

Create Wikiscientist Profile To Boost Research Visibility, Nader Ale Ebrahim

Nader Ale Ebrahim

A curriculum vitae (CV) allows you to showcase yourself and your academic and professional achievements in a concise and effective way. Creating an online CV, presenting who you are to your academic and professional peers. Creating and maintaining your online CV is an essential tool in enhancing your research and publications visibility. Enhancing the visibility empowers the researchers to gain recognition in their fields and beyond, communicate their research to a wider audience and grow their networks. In this presentation one of the newest online CV. platform named Wikiscientist will be introduced.

Supporting Teacher Development : Literature Review, Kate Reid, Elizabeth Kleinhenz

Dr Elizabeth Kleinhenz (retired)

This literature review identifies and evaluates evidence on the effectiveness of approaches to improving teacher quality in developing countries. It examines four categories of assistance for improving teacher quality: teacher development policies, pre-service education and training, in-service professional development, and school-based support. As far as possible, the review highlights practices that demonstrate effectiveness.

Supporting Teacher Development : Literature Review, Kate Reid, Elizabeth Kleinhenz

Dr Kate Reid

This literature review identifies and evaluates evidence on the effectiveness of approaches to improving teacher quality in developing countries. It examines four categories of assistance for improving teacher quality: teacher development policies, pre-service education and training, in-service professional development, and school-based support. As far as possible, the review highlights practices that demonstrate effectiveness.

A New Research Impact Measuring System, Nader Ale Ebrahim

Nader Ale Ebrahim

For years, scientists have been trying to measure the quality of scholarly work by the number of times an article is cited in other articles or the impact factor of the journal which published an article. However, citation is a lagging indicator and journal impact factor may be misleading since a Journal's citation count is usually caused by a small number of articles in that journal. With the rise of the web as the archiving and emerging interaction platform, there is a need for new ways to measure articles and books impact. Altmetrics attempts to use the online activity to …

Do Degree Maps Facilitate Student Success?, James W. Marion Jr, Jason M. Ruckert, Tracey M. Richardson

Tracey M Richardson

The purpose of this mixed method study was to explore the potential impact of degree maps on facilitating student success. The concept grew out of quantitative evidence suggesting students using degree maps are more likely to enroll in our programs, continue in our programs, register for more classes per term, and have better graduation rates than those students who do not use a degree map. Our methodology included qualitative coding of focus group responses (n = 28) then using those emerging themes to inform a survey instrument to collect student perceptions about the degree map’s impact (n = 211). This …

Aligning With Aviation Industry Expectations And Requirements: Improving The Presentation Skills Of Erau Graduate Business Students, Janet K. Tinoco, Jason Alvarez

Janet K. Tinoco

MBA students have diverse set of presentation skill levels. Students come from many parts of the world, different undergraduate degree programs, and with widely varying employment histories, if any at all. They need to build their understanding of what to present to whom and how.

Maximizing Articles Citation Frequency, Nader Ale Ebrahim

Nader Ale Ebrahim

The number of citations contributes to over 30% in the university rankings. Therefore, most of the scientists are looking for an effective method to increase their citation record. On the other hand, increase research visibility in the academic world in order to receive comments and citations from fellow researchers across the globe, is essential. Publishing a high quality paper in scientific journals is only halfway towards receiving citation in the future. The rest of the journey is dependent on disseminating the publications via proper utilization of the “Research Tools”. Proper tools allow the researchers to increase the research impact and …

Citations And Its Impact To University Ranking, Nader Ale Ebrahim

Nader Ale Ebrahim

Do you know “Over 43% of ISI papers has never received any citations?” (nature.com/top100, 2014). Publishing a high quality paper in scientific journals is only halfway towards receiving citation in the future. The rest of the journey is dependent on disseminating the publications via proper utilization of the “Research Tools”. Proper tools allow the researchers to increase the research impact and citations for their publications. These workshop series will provide various techniques on how one can increase the visibility and enhance the impact of one’s research work.

Assessing Ict Literacy Via Computer, Ray Philpot

Ray Philpot

Australian Postgraduate Research Student International Mobility: Research Report 2015, Sarah Richardson

Dr Sarah Richardson

This report presents findings of a study of the international mobility of postgraduate research students enrolled at Australian universities. It is based on focus groups with sixty postgraduate research students at seven Australian universities and one focus group with staff from three universities who are involved in supporting research students. Overall, the research indicated that the value of international mobility to research students, their supervisors, their institutions and to Australia more broadly was immense: Students gained access to invaluable resources, contacts with global experts and unique insights that significantly enhanced both the quality of their research and their employment prospects; …

Feasibility Study For The East Asia Summit - Regional Facility For Education Quality Assessment Project (Rfeqa), John Cresswell, Karyn Docking

Dr John Cresswell (retired)

This report presents a feasibility study into an East Asia Summit (EAS) Regional Facility for Education Quality Assessment (RFEQA).The project was developed partly in response tomajor findings of the 2008 study Harnessing Educational Cooperation in the EAS for Regional Competitiveness and Community Building (‘the Harnessing Report’) which noted that 'One potential issue for a number of EAS countries is that a number of the international student achievement studies are focused on secondary education. For developing countries in particular, the higher priority is likely to be student achievement in primary education as secondary participation rates are relatively low...'

This report …

Growth In Literacy And Numeracy In The First Three Years Of School., Marion Meiers, Siek Toon Khoo, Ken Rowe, Andrew Stephanou, Prue Anderson, Kathy Nolan

Prue Anderson

This report describes the findings from the first three years of the ACER longitudinal Literacy and Numeracy Study (LLANS). The longitudinal study was established in 1999 in a context in which there was significant national interest in improving achievement in literacy and numeracy for all Australian children, and a particular interest in the development of foundational skills in the early years of school. A nation wide sample of 100 schools was selected in proportion to the population of each state and territory and ten students were randomly selected from each of these schools. This provided a cohort for LLANS of …

Currere, Unexpected Journeys, And Unplanned Destinations In Academia, Susan R. Adams

Susan Adams

A sudden change of teaching placements forced my return to graduate school at the age of 40. Transformative graduate school learning resulted in the completion of a Ph.D. and earning a tenure track position in teacher education. This essay uses Pinar’s four steps of currere provide a lens to examine the past, look toward the future, take opportunity to look backward to the past while examining the present, and then re-enter the present. Mezirow’s transformative adult learning theory lends guidance for understanding why older adults may be uniquely poised to navigate successfully the complex maze of academia.

Investing In Workforce Literacy Pays: Building Employer Commitment To Workplace Language, Literacy And Numeracy Programs, Justin Brown, Michael Taylor, Phillip Mckenzie, Kate Perkins

Dr Justin Brown

In September 2012 the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) contracted the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) to conduct this study into the financial return to employers from investing in workplace literacy training programs. The Australian Government, through its Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education (DIISRTE), contracted the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) to manage the project. Over 2013-14, this study developed and trialled a set of data collection instruments in pilot mode with seven training programs funded under the Workplace English Language and Literacy (WELL) program. This report presents the results from the study in the …

Work Integrated Learning In Stem In Australian Universities: Final Report: Submitted To The Office Of The Chief Scientist, Daniel Edwards, Kate Perkins, Jacob Pearce, Jennifer Hong

Dr Daniel Edwards

The Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) undertook this study for the Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS). It explores the practice and application of Work Integrated Learning (WIL) in STEM, with a particular focus on natural and physical sciences, information technology, and agriculture departments in Australian universities. The project involved a detailed ‘stocktake’ of WIL in practice in these disciplines, with collection of information by interview, survey instruments, consultation with stakeholders and literature reviews. Every university in Australia was visited as part of this project, with interviews and consultation sessions gathering insight from more than 120 academics and support …

Work Integrated Learning In Stem In Australian Universities: Final Report: Submitted To The Office Of The Chief Scientist, Daniel Edwards, Kate Perkins, Jacob Pearce, Jennifer Hong

Dr Jacob Pearce

The Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) undertook this study for the Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS). It explores the practice and application of Work Integrated Learning (WIL) in STEM, with a particular focus on natural and physical sciences, information technology, and agriculture departments in Australian universities. The project involved a detailed ‘stocktake’ of WIL in practice in these disciplines, with collection of information by interview, survey instruments, consultation with stakeholders and literature reviews. Every university in Australia was visited as part of this project, with interviews and consultation sessions gathering insight from more than 120 academics and support …

Historicizing Scale Development: Shifting Epistemic Practices In Rasch Measurement, Jacob Pearce

Dr Jacob Pearce

No abstract provided.

Investigating Stability Of Item Parameters In One And Two-Parameter Partial Credit Models On Pisa Science Cognitive Data, Luc T. Le

Dr Luc Tu Le

This study focuses on investigating the stability of item parameter estimates from partial credit model (PCM) and generalised partial credit model (GPCM) respectively, by the test form booklets across the country and language groups used in the PISA study (Programme for International Student Achievement). From that, it could suggest whether the item discrimination parameter should be needed in the item calibration model for large and heterogeneous samples of an international test like PISA, particularly for PISA Science 2015.

Paper 2 - Aligning Reading Assessment With National Goals, Danielle Anzai, Maurice Walker

Danielle Anzai

Enhancing Cross-Border Higher Education Institution Mobility In The Apec Region, Sarah Richardson

Dr Sarah Richardson

This report presents findings of a study of the policy context around higher education institution (HEI) mobility in eight APEC economies – China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, the Philippines, Singapore and Viet Nam. The report provides insights into different policy contexts gathered from desktop research and from interviews with 68 participants. These all had direct involvement in HEI mobility in the eight economies in the study, including through senior positions in ministries of education, in bodies aligned to ministries, in accreditation and quality assurance agencies, and in foreign and local HEIs. The report identifies regulations, practices, policies, legislative contexts and …

Learn More Indiana 2013student Survey Results, Brandie M. Oliver, Sue Reynolds

Brandie M. Oliver

No abstract provided.

Session J: Assessment In Interactive Learning Environments, Michael Timms, Jason Lodge

Dr Michael J Timms

There is an increasing interest in using digital technologies to create interactive learning environments (ILEs) that both teach and assess student skills that are hard or impossible to assess using ‘static’ items such as traditional, multiple-choice questions. These interactive learning environments try to do two things simultaneously: firstly, to monitor the learning of the student in real time, providing feedback to help the student progress through the learning task; and secondly, to use the information gathered during the learning to make judgements about where the student is in learning of the topic. Essentially, ILEs draw upon the same source of …