Education Commons^™

Archives Alive!: Librarian-Faculty Collaboration And An Alternative To The Five-Page Paper, Tom Keegan, Kelly Mcelroy

Tom Keegan

Acer's 85 Years Of Research Spreads Worldwide, Geoff Masters

Prof Geoff Masters AO

The Australian Council for Educational Research approaches its centenary with a strong track record for independent research and a growing international reach.

The Experience Of Disability In Families: A Synthesis Of Research And Parent Narratives, Philip Ferguson, Alan Gartner, Dorothy Lipsky

Philip M. Ferguson

This chapter focuses on the difficulties parents of those with intellectual disabilities face.

Focused: Why A Teaching Team Is Greater Than The Sum Of Its Parts, Ray Peck

Ray Peck

Ray Peck reports on new research revealing that focused teaching teams assist the mathematics learning of students with Down syndrome.

Promoting Cross-Border Education – Provider Mobility, Sarah Richardson, Ali Radloff

Ali Radloff

In this four-part series, Sarah Richardson and Ali Radloff highlight the key considerations for strengthening collaboration around cross-border education. Here they address the establishment of international university campuses and joint-degree programs.

Promoting Cross-Border Education – Researcher Mobility, Sarah Richardson, Ali Radloff

Ali Radloff

In this four-part series, Sarah Richardson and Ali Radloff highlight the key considerations for strengthening collaboration around cross-border education. Here they address both the physical mobility of researchers and collaborative research work.

Promoting Cross-Border Education – Student Mobility, Sarah Richardson, Ali Radloff

Ali Radloff

In this four-part series, Sarah Richardson and Ali Radloff highlight the key considerations for strengthening collaboration around cross-border education. Here they address the movement of students from one country to another.

Ensuring Quality In Ahelo Item Development And Scoring Processes, Jacob Pearce

Dr Jacob Pearce

This chapter summarises the work undertaken in the Engineering Strand of the OECD's Assessment of Higher Education Learning Outcomes (AHELO) Feasibility Study. The iterative processes of design, review and revision that were followed to ensure that the assessment instrument and scoring processes were of high quality are outlined in detail. There are several lessons which can be drawn out of these experiences for future practice. The chapter offers an example of the amount of thinking and effort that is required in the development of an assessment instrument and the scoring processes related to it, if high quality data and directions …

The Sociobehavioural Cancer Research Network: Background Progress Report, Lori Lockyer, R Futcher, F Ashbury, Don Iverson

Professor Lori Lockyer

The Sociobehavioural Cancer Research Network (SCRN) was established in 1994 by the National Cancer Institute of Canada (NCIC) with funding from the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS). The network was created to facilitate the development of behavioural science studies that would contribute to a fuller understanding of the cancer experience, from prevention through detection, treatment and post treatment (including palliative care). This article describes the nature of network research, the development and organization of the Sociobehavioural Cancer Research Network and the challenges it faces.

Understanding The Brain, And Learning About Learning, Geoff Masters

Prof Geoff Masters AO

No abstract provided.

Large-Scale Group Score Assessments: Past, Present, And Future, Petra Lietz

Dr Petra Lietz

The influence of large-scale group score assessments on research, policy, and practice in education has increased dramatically over the past few decades. The goal of this chapter is to provide an overview of the value and scope of this program of research. The chapter begins by providing an overview of the history of large-scale assessment. Next, it focuses on current research and development surrounding the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP, a government-mandated assessment in the United States) and the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA, a large-scale survey and assessment commission by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, …

Evaluation Research In Education, Pauline Joyce

Pauline Joyce

This paper gives an overview of evaluation and evaluation research, particularly how it fits with education. Reference to some evaluation debates over the years is presented as well as some seminal works in the topic area. A brief synopsis of evaluation in the education setting is then presented before outlining various approaches to evaluation.

#Doesthatreallywork? Transforming The Traditional, Rethinking, Letting Go, Michelle Jacobs-Lustig, Sally Bryant

Sally Bryant

After a critical examination of the "traditional," Pepperdine University Libraries has made many dramatic, yet cost effective changes in Fall 2011. We have adopted an attitude of perpetual Beta for products and library services. We learned that sometimes it is not just out with the old, but out with the too new. At Pepperdine we completely redesigned our roles for our student workers to include learning outcomes and better customer service, we even had them work on LibGuides. We consolidated staff by merging our circulation and reference desk, creating the new iPoint (Get all of your library needs met in …

Ict Research Comes Of Age, Gerry White

Dr Gerald K. White

That is not to suggest that teachers and students do not use ICT. In fact, they are two of the highest ICT user categories reported by ACMA and ABS. However, the combination of ICT and education programs in classrooms and courses is a situation where issues about pedagogy and the benefits to learning with ICT continue to be debated.

The Sociobehavioural Cancer Research Network: Background Progress Report, Lori Lockyer, R Futcher, F Ashbury, Don Iverson

Don C. Iverson

The Sociobehavioural Cancer Research Network (SCRN) was established in 1994 by the National Cancer Institute of Canada (NCIC) with funding from the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS). The network was created to facilitate the development of behavioural science studies that would contribute to a fuller understanding of the cancer experience, from prevention through detection, treatment and post treatment (including palliative care). This article describes the nature of network research, the development and organization of the Sociobehavioural Cancer Research Network and the challenges it faces.

Challenging Mobile Learning Discourse Through Research: Student Perceptions Of Blackboard Mobile Learn And Ipads, Shelley Kinash, Jeffrey Brand, Trishita Mathew

Trishita Mathew

Many university academics disagree with the rationale that we should pursue mobile learning because 21st century students are apparently demanding it. We argue that the only defensible rationale for making mobile learning part of pedagogy is because it enhances student learning. This presentation shares results from research with 135 students engaged in mobile learning over two semesters. It addresses the question of whether Blackboard Mobile Learn made a perceived difference to their learning. Results revealed that in-class, students used their mobile devices for Blackboard Mobile Learn to the same extent as they used them for searching the web for study, …

Challenging Mobile Learning Discourse Through Research: Student Perceptions Of Blackboard Mobile Learn And Ipads, Shelley Kinash, Jeffrey Brand, Trishita Mathew

Jeffrey Brand

Many university academics disagree with the rationale that we should pursue mobile learning because 21st century students are apparently demanding it. We argue that the only defensible rationale for making mobile learning part of pedagogy is because it enhances student learning. This presentation shares results from research with 135 students engaged in mobile learning over two semesters. It addresses the question of whether Blackboard Mobile Learn made a perceived difference to their learning. Results revealed that in-class, students used their mobile devices for Blackboard Mobile Learn to the same extent as they used them for searching the web for study, …

Mind The Gap: Unexpected Pitfalls In Doing Classroom Research, Amanda Baker, Joseph Lee

Joseph J. Lee

unanticipated, challenges experienced by researchers. This article moves beyond the main issues highlighted in the literature and identifies some of the problems the authors encountered when conducting two common methodological procedures, classroom observations and stimulated recall interviews (SRIs), as part of our dissertation research investigations. The paper first surveys what the literature describes as the main areas of concern with these two procedures. It then pulls away from these resources to explore actual difficulties we experienced that we believe are inadequately addressed in the literature. Using illustrations from our dissertation projects, we examined several recurring challenges we faced, including participant …

Is There A Relationship Between Chemistry Performance And Question Type, Question Content And Gender?, Ross Hudson

Dr Ross Hudson

This research inquires into the effectiveness of the two predominant forms of questions - multiple-choice questions and short-answer questions - used in the State University Entrance Examination for Chemistry including the relationship between performance and gender. It examines not only the style of question but also the content type examined (recall and application questions). The research involves class trial testing of students with structured questions that examine the same material content with each type of question (multiple-choice or short-answer) and also examines the different type of content (recall or application) and finally the influence of student gender. Rasch analysis of …

Comparative Studies Research, Kara Brown

Kara D. Brown

No abstract provided.

Using Zing To Conduct Research About And With Emerging Technologies, Kathryn Moyle

Professor Kathryn Moyle

No abstract provided.

What Do Students Say About Learning With Technologies?, Kathryn Moyle

Professor Kathryn Moyle

This paper outlines some of the findings from Australian research which listened to and analysed the views and expectations of students within Australian education and training institutions about learning with technologies. Students in primary and secondary schools, vocational education and training (VET) institutions, international students studying education in universities, pre-service teacher education students and teachers in their first five years of teaching contributed to a national 'student voice' research project based upon their current experiences and views. Data was collected through online surveys and focus groups. The research shows that students and early career educators have access to and use …

Certificating Ielts Writing And Speaking Examiners, Sacha Develle

Dr Sacha DeVelle

IELTS examiners are subject to rigorous procedures for the certification of new examiners and the re-certification of experienced examiners. The IELTS Professional Support Network (PSN) integrates these procedures via a global system of recruitment, induction, training, standardisation, certification and monitoring. Research funded by the IELTS Joint-funded Research Program (Brown 2000, Furneaux and Rignall 2007), and outcomes from The IELTS Speaking Test Revision Project (1998-2001) and Writing Test Revision Project (2001-2005) have provided valuable insights into examiner training and the regular updating of examiner certification and training materials. Studies in Language Testing 19 (Taylor and Falvey 2007) documents Speaking and Writing …

Listening To Students' And Educators' Voices : The Views Of Students And Early Career Educators About Learning With Technologies In Australian Education And Training : Research Findings, Kathryn Moyle, Susanne Owen

Professor Kathryn Moyle

This report outlines findings collected from listening to and analysing the views and expectations of students within Australian education and training institutions about learning with technologies. The overarching question for this research was: 'what are the views of students and early career educators, about learning with technologies in Australian education and training?' In 2008, students in primary and secondary schools, vocational education and training (VET) institutions, international students studying education in universities and pre-service teacher education students contributed to the research based upon their current experiences and views. Early career teachers were asked to reflect on their experiences as pre-service …

Signposts: Research Points To How Victorian Government Schools Have Improved Performance, Elizabeth Hartnell-Young

Dr Elizabeth Hartnell-Young

The Blueprint for Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD, 2008) underlines the importance of providing opportunities for every child to succeed, in every circumstance. The Blueprint points out that, while previous reforms are paying dividends, improvement is not yet consistent across all schools. So, to support a reform agenda for all schools to improve, this research by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) was specifically designed to investigate the nature of the practices in those schools where Victorian strategies are showing positive results. We wanted to have greater knowledge of the practices of Victorian schools that lead …

The 2007 Revised Ielts Pronunciation Scale, Sacha Develle

Dr Sacha DeVelle

A series of articles in Research Notes (February 2001, July 2001, November 2001, November 2006) reported the development, validation and implementation of the IELTS Speaking Test Revision Project (1998–2001). More recent research (Brown 2006, Brown and Taylor 2006) highlighted the need for clearer specification on the Pronunciation scale. Further revision arose as a consequence of this research and the continuing evolutionary process reflecting the test’s context of use. The present article describes a two-phase study using a mixed method (quantitative and qualitative) approach to examine raters’ marking behaviour and perceptions of the newly revised IELTS Pronunciation scale.

How Mobile Phones Help Learning In Secondary Schools, Elizabeth Hartnell-Young, Nadja Heym

Dr Elizabeth Hartnell-Young

This research took place in 2007-8, at a time when mobile phones had become small, personal computers, providing clock, calendar, games, music player, Bluetooth connection, Internet access, and high-quality camera functions in addition to voice calls and short messaging. The Mobile Life Youth Report (2006) found that by the time they reach secondary school, 91% of 12 year olds in the UK have a mobile phone. Even though recent phone models, sometimes called ‘smart phones’, allow users to read pdf formats, spreadsheets and word-processed files, they have been more usually seen as disruptive, rather than useful, in school education.

Perceptions Of Parental Involvement In Schooling, Student Milieu And Student Achievement In Mathematics, Nicole Wernert

Nicole Wernert

This study builds on recent research that has found that teacher perceptions of parental involvement in schooling are an important influence on student outcomes, in addition to the effects of parent reports of their involvement. Using data from TIMSS 2003, this study explores the relationship between principal perceptions of parental involvement and student milieu and the impact of both on student achievement in mathematics. Moderated multiple regression analyses were used to explore these relationships. A significant relationship was found for mean school mathematics achievement regressed on principals’ perceptions of parental support and involvement at both Grades 4 and 8. However, …

Alls Survey Update : Initial Messages Regarding Numeracy, Dave Tout

David (Dave) Tout

In the initial analysis and results coming out from the first wave of the 2003 Adult Literacy and Lifeskills Survey (ALLS) countries, the data seem to be indicating that numeracy plays a more important role in economic returns for individuals than do prose or document literacy, and seem to confirm that men outperform women in the area of numeracy and mathematics. Some of the outcomes stemming from the results that will be of interest when the Australian results are released late in 2007 include: the overlap between respondents' abilities in literacy and numeracy was lower than expected; early school leavers …

Modelling Mathematics Problem Solving Item Responses Using A Multidimensional Irt Model, Margaret Wu, Ray Adams

Prof Ray Adams

This research examined students' responses to mathematics problem- solving tasks and applied a general multidimensional IRT model at the response category level. In doing so, cognitive processes were identified and modelled through item response modelling to extract more information than would be provided using conventional practices in scoring items. More specifically, the study consisted of two parts. The first part involved the development of a mathematics problem-solving framework that was theoretically grounded, drawing upon research in mathematics education and cognitive psychology. The framework was then used as the basis for item development. The second part of the research involved the …