Education Commons^™

Computer Adaptive Testing : A Feasibility Study, Siek Khoo, Geoff Masters, Ray Adams

Prof Ray Adams

The Australian National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (NOOSR) commissioned ACER to investigate the feasibility of implementing computer adaptive testing (CAT) in NOOSR’s screening examinations for overseas trained professionals. The National Office administers screening examinations in seven professions (Dentistry, Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, Podiatry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy and Veterinary Science) at venues throughout Australia and in up to fifty centres around the world. Surveys were conducted to gain an overview of the current methods and procedures used by NOOSR in the screening examinations. Issues related to the application of CAT to NOOSR’s screening examinations and the possible improvement of NOOSR’s assessment program …

Displaying Test Analyses With Titan And Bigscale, Siek Khoo, Ray Adams, J Linacre

Prof Ray Adams

No abstract provided.

Computer Adaptive Testing : A Feasibility Study, Siek Khoo, Geoff Masters, Ray Adams

Prof Geoff Masters AO

The Australian National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (NOOSR) commissioned ACER to investigate the feasibility of implementing computer adaptive testing (CAT) in NOOSR’s screening examinations for overseas trained professionals. The National Office administers screening examinations in seven professions (Dentistry, Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, Podiatry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy and Veterinary Science) at venues throughout Australia and in up to fifty centres around the world. Surveys were conducted to gain an overview of the current methods and procedures used by NOOSR in the screening examinations. Issues related to the application of CAT to NOOSR’s screening examinations and the possible improvement of NOOSR’s assessment program …

Combining Quantitative And Qualitative Data In A Study Of Progress Through High School, John Ainley, Michael Sheret

Dr John Ainley

No abstract provided.

The Economics Of Curriculum Provision For Years 11 And 12, Phil Mckenzie

Dr Phillip McKenzie

This paper analyses the allocational decisions that have been made concerning Years 11 and 12 programs in Australian government school systems.

It is drawn from a wider study of how system and school decision makers attempt to meet, within a tight financial context, the increased curriculum demands of a more diverse student body.

The study, which was based on samples of schools from four Australian government school systems in 1990, was concerned with the inter-relationship of decisions taken at the system and school levels.

It was conducted in conjunction with Ross Harrold and Marian Stone from the University of New …

Educational Research And Development In Australia, Barry Mcgaw, Phil Mckenzie

Dr Phillip McKenzie

No abstract provided.

School Size And Curriculum Provision In Years 11 And 12, Phil Mckenzie

Dr Phillip McKenzie

Do large secondary schools provide more comprehensive curricula in Years 11 and 12 than small schools? Is there an enrolment point beyond which the curriculum advantages of size are no longer evident? This paper examines these questions by drawing on preliminary results from a study of curriculum provision and resource use that is being conducted in conjunction with the University of New England. The study, which was funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC), uses data on the operations of four Australian government school systems in 1990. This particular paper focuses on Victorian schools. The paper has four main sections: …

Displaying Test Analyses With Titan And Bigscale, Siek Khoo, Ray Adams, J Linacre

Dr Siek Toon Khoo

No abstract provided.

A Review Of Some Fit Tests For Rasch Models, Siek Toon Khoo

Dr Siek Toon Khoo

No abstract provided.

Investigations In Metacognitive Learning Processes With Computers: Learner Based Inquiries, Diane Maschette, Evelyn Bransgrove, S Morris, Richard Johnson, Prue Anderson

Prue Anderson

Current research concerning learning highlights the importance of metacognitive skills in promoting successful learning for both adults and children (Baird, 1989; Flavell, 1981; Rowe, 1988). Several researchers have identified particular strategies for use in developing metacognitive skills in the classroom (Baird & Mitchell, 1986; Swan & White, 1990). Claims have been made for the computer as a useful tool in this process (for example, in developing problem solving skills) however there is relatively little research evidence to support such claims. This study addresses this shortfall, building on the considerable research in metacognition.

Progress Through High School: A Study Of Senior Secondary Schooling In New South Wales, John Ainley, Michael Sheret

Dr John Ainley

In the 20 years from 1971 to 1990 the percentage of each cohort of young people completing secondary education to Year 12 has more than doubled. Most of that growth in the retention of young people into the postcompulsory years of school has taken place since 1983. In a short space of time postcompulsory schooling has changed from minority to majority participation. Changes such as these have impelled a consideration of how best to respond to the interests and aptitudes of the increasingly diverse population of students and how to encourage further increases in levels of participation. These issues are …

Determinants Of Status And Earnings Within A Profession: A Case Study Of Australian Lawyers, Julie Mcmillan

Julie McMillan

No abstract provided.

Mapping Abilities And Skill Levels Using Rasch Techniques, Annie Brown, Catherine Elder, Tom Lumley, Tim Mcnamara, Joy Mcqueen

Dr Tom Lumley

The ongoing interest in investigating the use of Item Response Theory (IRT) methods, involving the Rasch model, in language testing research and the development of language tests has encouraged the authors to explore the nature of this approach and to introduce some research on its validation.

Reporting Research For Teachers: Strategic Review Of Research In Education: An Overview, Phil Mckenzie

Dr Phillip McKenzie

In this article the author who is the executive officer of the Strategic Review of Research in Education in Australia outlines the major findings of the review and its recommendations.

In Vivo Growth Of C6 Glioma Cells Transfected With Connexin43 Cdna, C. Naus, K. Elisevich, D. Zhu, Daniel Belliveau, R. Del Maestro

Daniel J. Belliveau

In order to examine the possible role of intercellular communication via gap junctions in the control of tumor growth, we have transfected C6 glioma cells with connexin43 cDNA. We obtained several clones with variable expression of connexin43. The growth rate of these clones in culture was inversely related to the degree of expression of the transfected cDNA. To examine the growth of these transfected cells in vivo, cells were grown in spinner culture flasks to form spheroids 250–300 µm in diameter. Spheroids of nontransfected C6 cells produced large gliomas. Immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization analyses revealed relatively high levels of …

Students' Views Of Primary School, John Ainley, S Bourke

Dr John Ainley

No abstract provided.

Displacement, Velocity, And Frames Of Reference: Phenomenographic Studies Of Students’ Understanding And Some Implications For Teaching And Assessment, John Bowden, Gloria Dall'alba, Elaine Martin, D Laurillard, Ference Marton, Geoff Masters, Paul Ramsden, Andrew Stephanou, E Walsh

Prof Geoff Masters AO

Student understanding of fundamental concepts in kinematics has been explored using the phenomenographic research method. University and high schoolphysics students were interviewed and their understandings of displacement, velocity, and frames of reference have been analyzed in particular problem contexts. Descriptions of the different ways students understand the concepts have been developed and relations between the different levels of understanding have been identified. The data highlight the contextual nature of learning and the need for teachers to focus on the nature of student understanding in specific contexts using questions that require qualitative explanation by students. In particular, it is demonstrated that …

Computer Adaptive Testing : A Feasibility Study, Siek Khoo, Geoff Masters, Ray Adams

Dr Siek Toon Khoo

The Australian National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (NOOSR) commissioned ACER to investigate the feasibility of implementing computer adaptive testing (CAT) in NOOSR’s screening examinations for overseas trained professionals. The National Office administers screening examinations in seven professions (Dentistry, Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, Podiatry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy and Veterinary Science) at venues throughout Australia and in up to fifty centres around the world. Surveys were conducted to gain an overview of the current methods and procedures used by NOOSR in the screening examinations. Issues related to the application of CAT to NOOSR’s screening examinations and the possible improvement of NOOSR’s assessment program …

Educational Research In Australia, David Boud, Millicent Poole, Richard Warry, Phil Mckenzie

Dr Phillip McKenzie

This review of educational research in Australia was stimulated by the Australian Research Council which convened a meeting of representatives of major stakeholders in educational research in December 1990. That meeting established terms of reference for the Review, appointed a review panel to take responsibility for the detailed work and continued itself as a reference group. More than 120 written submissions were received in response to circulation of the Terms of Reference. An interim report was drafted by the panel in consultation with the reference group and circulated widely for comment in early 1992. Seventy-six written responses were received and …

The Nllia Esl Development Project And Assessment In The Curriculum, Tom Lumley, Penny Mckay

Dr Tom Lumley

This article outlines the ESL Development or the ESL Profiles Project, abbreviated terms for the National Languages and Literacy Institute of Australia (NLLIA) ESL Development Project: Language and Literacy in Schools. A brief introduction to the project and two of its principal components: the ESL Bandscales and the Exemplar Assessment Activities with accompanying Observation Guides for each macro-skill, are included in this article.

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, John W. Hill

John W. Hill

No abstract provided.

Rx For Literacy, Donna M. Farrell

Dr. Donna M Farrell

Specific kinds of educational experiences provided for children by both parents and teachers from preschool through high school were examined to document the effects, if any, on reading achievement during the course of development. Findings indicated that early childhood experiences were particularly important to literacy development and early reading instruction, in particular, are key factors in the reading competency of high school seniors.