Creating visual aids with graphic organisers on an infinite canvas : the impact on the presenter

Instead of the traditional set of slides, the visual aids of a presentation can now be graphic organisers (concept maps, knowledge maps, mind maps) on an infinite canvas. Constructing graphic organisers has a beneficial impact on learning, but this topic has not been studied in the context of giving a presentation. The present study examined this issue by having 199 students prepare a presentation. The control sample created visual aids that are similar to a deck of slides with text and pictures. In the first experimental condition, graphic organisers were inserted in this deck of slides, and in the second experimental condition, visuals aids with interconnected graphic organisers were produced. There were no significant differences in self-reported self-efficacy related to giving a presentation and in motivational variables. To detect if the presentations met the principles set by the conditions, the participants’ products were coded qualitatively, but this analysis also yielded no differences in variables. Further research should therefore explore the interaction between software and presenter

The impact of teachers' beliefs on grammar instruction and students' grammar competences

AbstractWith regards to grammar instruction in mother tongue education, two approaches influence teacher beliefs: the traditional approach supporting explicit instruction and the communicative approach focusing on functional linguistic usage in communicative situations. However, the impact of these ‘teacher beliefs’ is still uncertain. We asked teachers (N=8) in the final year of secondary education to complete a survey on their beliefs concerning grammar instruction. The first data was collected using an adapted questionnaire by Burgess and Etherington (2002), the second part contained open ended questions. In addition, the pupils of the teachers were tested on their grammatical knowledge (N=291)