Extension and implementation of classSheet models

In this paper we explore the use of models in the context of spreadsheet engineering. We review a successful spreadsheet modeling language, whose semantics we further extend. With this extension we bring spreadsheet models closer to the business models of spreadsheets themselves. An addon for a widely used spreadsheet system, providing bidirectional model-driven spreadsheet development, was also improved to include the proposed model extension.(undefined

The effects of increased learning time on student academic and nonacademic outcomes : Findings from a meta‑analytic review

This report summarizes a review of rigorous research studies on increased learning time. Findings across studies have been combined using meta-analysis techniques. The key finding are: increased learning time programs improved literacy and math achievement when instruction was led by certified teachers, though the effects were small; the effects varied by type of instruction. Programs that used a traditional instruction style improved literacy and math achievement. Programs that used an experiential learning instruction style improved student social-emotional skills. In both cases the effects were small; increased learning time improved the literacy achievement of students performing below standards and the social-emotional skills of students with attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder

Extended Learning Time

https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/govpubs-tn-comptroller-office-research-education-accountability/1100/thumbnail.jp

Laptops for teachers: An evaluation of the TELA scheme in schools (Years 4 to 6)

The purpose of this evaluation was to investigate the impacts of the Laptops for Teachers Scheme (referred to from here as the TELA scheme) on Years 4 to 6 teachers’ work over a period of three years (2004-2006) and to record emerging changes in laptop use. The investigation focused on the Ministry of Education expectation (Ministry of Education, 2004) that teacher access to a laptop for their individual professional use would lead to gains in confidence and expertise in the use of ICTs, to efficiencies in administration, would contribute to teacher collaboration and support the preparation of high quality lesson resources. It was also anticipated that teacher would use their laptop in the classroom for teaching and learning

The Use of Webquest for Teaching English Vocabulary in an EFL Young Learners Context

In Globalization era, English teaching has been incorporated to the use of internet and virtual reality to buildup language learning which is attracting academic interest. How to create a good English learningenvironment for the Indonesian primary students-whose native language obviously not English- to learnEnglish has become a challenging issue. Web Quest is an inquiry-oriented online learning activity in whichall of the information used by learners nowadays is drawn from the Internet. Online learning languagethrough Web Quest is no longer limited to online communication such as mails, chat, forums, or other onlineactivities for learners to visit occasionally. Some studies also addressed the use of Web Quest as anapplication in online leaning which were integrated in learners' study experience and able to promote Englishlearning interest. This study is one of the examples of such issue in which it focuses on the effect of WebQuest-based learning on vocabulary mastery of primary learners. The study took place in Bandung, WestJava. In addition, this was conducted in one of famous English course which is facilitated with the internetand computer as media for learning English language. The researcher took one class as participants of thestudy. They were primary students ranging from 9 to 10 years old that had mostly the same English languagelevel. In addition, this study used pre-experimental design with one group pre-test-post-test design. The resultof the study indicated that using Web Quest was effective in teaching English vocabularies to the primarystudents. This means that there was significant difference of students' achievement in vocabulary masterybefore and after Web Quest treatment

The social construction of educational technology through the use of proprietary software

Major strands of science and technology studies (STS) in recent decades have been the 'social shaping of technology' (SST) and 'social construction of technology' (SCOT) movements, whose adherents maintain that technological systems are determined just as much by social forces as by technological ones. Taking this 'co-construction' notion as a starting point, and putting a focus on the user, I look at some examples of the use of proprietary software in which the learner, instead of being constrained by a rather deterministic pedagogy of educational technology, can exploit the functionality of the software in ways far removed from the original design. For example, spreadsheets can be used to incorporate modelling assumptions directly to simulate digital signal transmission, or the workings of the binomial function. Audio editing software can be used to teach about the technology of music by allowing the student to explore waveform characteristics. The manipulation of images, if combined with a teaching of the principles behind data compression, can engender a deep understanding of the processes involved. And translation software can be used for language learning in a way very different from what was envisaged by the designers. Educational technology has tended to suffer from an emphasis on, and excessive claims for, technological innovation and novelty. Film, radio, television, programmed learning, interactive video discs, CD-ROMs, a 'computer in every classroom', 'one laptop per child', the web, computer-mediated communication, smartboards; and now mashups, Second Life, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter – all have all been seen as radical new technologies that would revolutionize learning. Here I make the case for the social construction of educational technology by users and teachers, based on exploiting to far better effect the possibilities of mature, often proprietary, software not originally designed for pedagogical purposes. The approach outlined here not only helps students gain experience with the sort of software they are likely to encounter in their professional life, but also fosters and sustains a healthy spirit of enquiry that too often is lacking in much educational software. Although the examples presented have been situated in the context of the individual learner, similar principles can be applied to a whole range of networked educational technologies

Trends in Teacher Compensation, Focus on Alternative Compensation, Focus on Alternative Salary Schedules

https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/govpubs-tn-comptroller-office-research-education-accountability/1112/thumbnail.jp

The development of a structured methodology for the construction and integrity control of spreadsheet models

Numerous studies and reported cases have established the seriousness of the frequency and impact of user-generated spreadsheet errors. This thesis presents a structured methodology for spreadsheet model development, which enables improved integrity control of the models. The proposed methodology has the potential to ensure consistency in the development process and produce more comprehensible, reliable and maintainable models, which can reduce the occurrence of user-generated errors. An insight into the nature and properties of spreadsheet errors is essential for the development of a methodology for controlling the integrity of spreadsheet models. An important by-product of the research is the development of a comprehensive classification or taxonomy of the different types of user-generated spreadsheet errors based on a rational taxonomic scheme. Research on the phenomenon of spreadsheet errors has revealed the need to adopt a software engineering based methodology as a framework for spreadsheet development in practical situations. The proposed methodology represents a new approach to the provision of a structured, software engineering based discipline for the development of spreadsheet models. It is established in this thesis that software engineering principles can in fact be applied to the process of spreadsheet model building to help improve the quality of the models. The methodology uses Jackson structures to produce the logical design of the spreadsheet model. This is followed by a technique to derive the physical model, which is then implemented as a spreadsheet. The methodology’s potential for improving the quality of spreadsheet models is demonstrated. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed framework, the various features of the proposed structured methodology are tested on a range of spreadsheet models through a series of experiments. The results of the tests provide adequate evidence of the methodology’s potential to reduce the occurrence of user-generated errors and enhance the comprehensibility of the models