The effects of teaching a mathematics problem solving strategy on the problem solving ability of grade nine students

Forty grade 9 students were selected from a small rural board in southern Ontario. The students were in two classes and were treated as two groups. The treatment group received instruction in the Logical Numerical Problem Solving Strategy every day for 37 minutes over a 6 week period. The control group received instruction in problem solving without this strategy over the same time period. Then the control group received the treat~ent and the treatment group received the instruction without the strategy. Quite a large variance was found in the problem solving ability of students in grade 9. It was also found that the growth of the problem solving ability achievement of students could be measured using growth strands based upon the results of the pilot study. The analysis of the results of the study using t-tests and a MANOVA demonstrated that the teaching of the strategy did not significaritly (at p s 0.05) increase the problem solving achievement of the students. However, there was an encouraging trend seen in the data.

Motivational differences in science course enrolment shown by males and females in grades 9 through OAC

A sample of 1,345 students enrolled in advanced-level science courses from Grades 9 through OAe was surveyed in order to gain perspective into the existence of motivational differences attributing to science course enrolment by gender. Records of enrolment were examined in order to detect patterns and trends. A questionnaire was devised and piloted. It measured five motivational variables - demographics, science and science-related experiences, science ability and attitudes, impressions about women in science, and importance of science and science-related skills. The students also provided some impressions about the image of scientists. Results of the questionnaire were analyzed for frequency of responses and for significant gender differences using the chi-square. Differences were found to exist in the areas of science anxiety as it relates to testing and oral participation; in motivation generated by the performance of extra-curricular science and science-related activities, and by the classroom environment; in impressions of women in science; in the importance of science skills, and in the area of teacher influence. The study also showed a differential enrolment of females, with an emphasis on biology and chemistry. The males were enrolled in courses of physics and chemistry. The findings lead to numerous suggested strategies and programs for encouraging the participation of females in science education and careers.

Bullying in physical education : its prevalence & impact on the intention to continue secondary school physical education

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of bullying in physical education and its influence on students' intention to participate in the class in the future. Additionally, the study researched the relationship between bullying and body image as well as bullying and physical competency in physical education. A survey was utilized that collected both quantitative and qualitative data about students' experiences in physical education. Two-hundred and thirty-four grade 10 students (144 female and 90 male) from 8 different secondary schools participated in the study. Data analyses were completed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.0. Results showed thaLapproximately 18.3% of respondents had .experienced physical bullying in physical education; 23.7% had experienced verbal bullying; and 20.4% experienced social bullying. Furthermore, those who experienced frequent bullying in physical education did not intend on taking the class in the future. The relationship between body image and bullying was not found to be significant. However, physical competence was found to significantly predict bullying in physical education. These results show how prevalent bullying is in physical education classes and how it negatively impacts future participation in the class.

Participation factors in optional high school health and physical education

Student enrolment rates in optional health and physical education (HPE) classes have been steadily declining, to the point where most Ontario students stop taking HPE after completion of their one required credit, typically taken in grade nine. This study looked at factors that could contribute to HPE enrolment, sampling 227 grade ten students from five schools. These factors included selfefficacy (SE), perceived autonomy support (PAS), task value (TV), motivational regulation (autonomous, AR; controlled, CR), HPE grade average and body size discrepancy (BSD). Qualitative information was also gathered from students regarding likes and dislikes ofHPE, as well as reasons for their HPE enrolment choice. Cronbach Alpha values of each scale fell within acceptable values. ANOVA analysis revealed differences between enrolment groups in SE, TV, AR, HPE grade average, and BSD (p < .05). Reasons students reported for not taking HPE included a dislike of health classes, scheduling challenges, not needing HPE for future endeavors, concerns about social self-presentation, and a dislike of sports and/or competition. This research shows important differences between students and their HPE class choices and calls for a re-evaluation of how HPE classes are structured, advertised and scheduled by high school practitioners. Future works should look toward what other factors could be at play in students' decisions for or against optional HPE and how those factors interact with the constructs that were found to be of significance in this study. Keywords: Health and physical education, high school students, participation.

Ten years after : a qualitative study of students' experiences in a high school theatre company

This qualitative study explored 4 former students' perceptions of the learning associated with their involvement in a high school theatre program and the contextual factors they linked to their perceived development. The study involved 4 adult participants, 2 male and 2 female, who had participated extensively in a high school theatre company from 1996 to 2001 when they were students in a large Ontario school board. Data were collected from January to August, 2007, when the 4 former students took part in two in-depth, open-ended interviews. The focus of investigation was participant perspectives. Data analysis revealed that the 4 participants' involvement in high school theatre produced both wide-ranging and enduring developmental benefits across personal, social, and cognitive domains. Participants achieved these benefits through interactions among 3 related contexts: (a) rehearsal and performance practices, (b) the world of the play, and (c) characteristics of the high school theatre company.

Problemes de física per a batxillerat i cicles formatius [versió comprimida]

Aquest manual recull un conjunt de problemes que engloben els principals camps de la física clàsica. El seu enfocament està dirigit a estudis preuniversitaris (batxillerat, cicles formatius de grau superior) i pretén ser un complement tant dels manuals ja existents, com una ajuda per aquells estudiants ja universitaris que vulguin repassar els seus coneixements previs

Problemes de física per a batxillerat i cicles formatius [versió html]

Aquest manual recull un conjunt de problemes que engloben els principals camps de la física clàsica. El seu enfocament està dirigit a estudis preuniversitaris (batxillerat, cicles formatius de grau superior) i pretén ser un complement tant dels manuals ja existents, com una ajuda per aquells estudiants ja universitaris que vulguin repassar els seus coneixements previs

Una Investigació sobre la formació del pensament històric a través de les representacions històriques de l'alumnat

El treball que presentem recull els resultats d’una recerca sobre l’ensenyament i l’aprenentatge de la història a l’educació secundària. El professorat participant forma part del grup GREDICS (Grup de Recerca en Didàctica de les Ciències Socials), de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, així com també professorat d’educació secundària de centres educatius de Catalunya. La recerca ha estat finançada dins el projecte ARIE de la Generalitat de Catalunya. Va començar el curs 2005-06 i ha continuat fins l’actualitat amb diversos projectes. L’objectiu fonamental d’aquesta recerca qualitativa ha estat indagar en els coneixements històrics dels/les adolescents al finalitzar l’educació obligatòria, saber com ho han aprés i com l’utilitzen per situar-se al seu món i en els seus projectes de futur. Ens hem centrat fonamentalment en les representacions històriques de l’alumnat, en especial les escrites, encara que a l’actualitat estem treballant amb altres tipus de representacions històriques, per exemple les audiovisuals que es poden produir per mitjà d’eines informàtiques

The Construction of grammar concepts at secondary school

In this study we make a general research question [1] and two specific ones [2] i [3]: [1] How can we establish a new model for teaching and learning grammar? [2] How metalinguistic knowledge is built within this model? [3] How can we elaborate an analysis model for exploring grammar knowledge?

South Carolina’s Arts In Basic Curriculum Project : A History 1987-2007

The Arts in Basic Curriculum (ABC) Project is a multifaceted initiative that has positively impacted arts education in South Carolina and the nation. Founded in 1987 the ABC Project has become a national model and influenced the advancement of education in and through the arts with a multitude of programs, models, and schemes. This is an overview of the full history. Parts I and II will chronicle events that were foundational to the project from inception in 1987 to the celebration of its 20th anniversary in 2007. Part III gives detailed descriptions of ten of the most important facets of the project.

The Kartini Project

This project is an account of one teacher's journey with her students, across cultural boundaries in search of creating authentic Asian/Australian Drama experiences. The project explores the notion of establishing a shared cultural context. The early chapters focus on the background influences that determine where and how the project is set. Subsequent chapters provide an account of the innovative use of dramatic forms used in preparation for the fieldwork, then account of the fieldwork and post classwork. The study ends with a series of recommendations for any teacher intending to undertake a similar project.