"Writing to Learn or Learning to Write". A Critical Review of "English as a Foreign Language" (EFL) Teaching Practices in Writing in Saudi Universities

Desenvolupar el domini de l?escriptura en anglès sempre ha sigut un desafiament per als estudiants de nivell 2 en general i per a l?alumnat en particular. Malgrat la presència generalitzada de departaments d?anglès en universitats saudites des de la dècada passada, els resultats i assoliments són descoratjadors. Aquest article investiga de prop aquesta situació, i tracta de trobar els aspectes que poden explicar aquesta feblesa. Per això es revisen els més importants estudis empírics i teòrics relacionats amb el context saudita. Aquest treball presenta una panoràmica general sobre com les habilitats d?escriptura en anglès han evolucionat a Aràbia Saudita en el passat recent, i detalla els desafiaments que afronten no sols l?alumnat saudita de nivell 2 sinó també els professionals involucrats en l?ensenyament de l?idioma anglès en aquest país. A més, s?ofereix una visió de les principals innovacions pedagògiques dutes a terme en aquest terreny i se suggereix un camí de desenvolupament futur

Atomic data and electron-impact broadening effect in DO white dwarf atmospheres: Si VI

Energy levels, electric dipole transition probabilities and oscillator strengths in five times ionized silicon have been calculated in intermediate coupling. The present calculations were carried out with the general purpose atomic-structure program SUPERSTRUCTURE. The relativistic corrections to the non-relativistic Hamiltonian are taken into account through the Breit-Pauli approximation. We have also introduced a semi-empirical correction (TEC) for the calculation of the energy-levels. These atomic data are used to provide semiclassical electron-, proton- and ionized helium- impact line widths and shifts for 15 Si VI muliplet. Calculated results have been used to consider the influence of Stark broadening for DO white dwarf atmospheric conditions.Comment: MNRAS, accepted, 14 page

Pengembangan Alat Eksperimen Teori Kinetik Gas sebagai Media Pembejaran Fisika di SMA

This study aimed to test the validity of the experimental devices kinetic theory of gases consisting of experimental tools and the escort book of experiment tools. The approach used in this study is the development of research (Research Development) by using the 4D model (Four D Models). The data obtained from the assessment given by the validator. Validator consists of 3 lecture of physics education departemen faculty teacher training and education of Riau university and 2 senior high school physics teacher. The data were analyzed by descriptive analysis. Based on data analysis of tools experimental kinetic theory of gas validation are at very high category with a score of 3.75 and the validation escort book of experiment tools are at very high category with a score of 3.54. The results of this study is indicate that the experimental kinetic theory device is a valid used as learning physics media at school

Aprendizaje basado en datos y enseñanza de preposiciones en ESL: un estudio de estudiantes árabes

This paper explores the effectiveness of data driven learning approach in teaching prepositions to Arab learners. English prepositions have been reported to be a typical feature to learn by the Arab ESL learners. Moreover, intermediate or advance level learners have also reported their difficulties in the usage of English prepositions; reasons might be perceptual and cultural differences bet the two language communities. Teacher trained materials prepared from online resources along with TPP corpus, the aim of the present study was to compare DDL and traditional prescriptive rule based method of grammar teaching. Two distinct classes; experimental (n = 41) and control (n = 19) groups were formed who were study English major. Standardized test was conducted as a pre-test to ensure participants equal level of proficiency in using prepositions. During the study duration for a semester, experimental group was exposed to teacher-prepared materials along with TPP to see prepositions in context. Moreover they were asked to explore further through the prepared materials to reinforce their learning from the data. A post-test was administered at the end of the course. The results showed that the experimental group outperformed the control group. It was found that learners' active role to direct their own learning process caused this encouraging outcome and better learning experience for the learners.Este documento explora la efectividad del enfoque de aprendizaje basado en datos en la enseñanza de preposiciones para estudiantes árabes. Se ha informado que las preposiciones en inglés son un rasgo característico que los estudiantes árabes de ESL deben aprender. Además, los estudiantes de nivel intermedio o avanzado también han informado sobre sus dificultades en el uso de preposiciones en inglés; Las razones pueden ser las diferencias perceptivas y culturales entre las dos comunidades lingüísticas. El objetivo del presente estudio fue comparar sustancias formadas por docentes preparadas a partir de recursos en línea junto con el corpus de TPP, para comparar el método de enseñanza de gramática basado en reglas prescriptivas tradicionales y DDL. Dos clases distintas; Se formaron grupos experimentales (n = 41) y de control (n = 19) que estudiaban inglés principal. La prueba estandarizada se realizó como una prueba previa para garantizar a los participantes el mismo nivel de competencia en el uso de preposiciones. Durante la duración del estudio durante un semestre, el grupo experimental fue expuesto a materiales preparados por el profesor junto con TPP para ver las preposiciones en contexto. Además, se les pidió que exploraran más a través de los materiales preparados para reforzar su aprendizaje a partir de los datos. Se administró una prueba posterior al final del curso. Los resultados mostraron que el grupo experimental superó al grupo de control. Se encontró que el rol activo de los estudiantes para dirigir su propio proceso de aprendizaje causó este resultado alentador y una mejor experiencia de aprendizaje para los estudiantes.Universidad Pablo de Olavid

EFL vocabulary learning strategies used by Saudi Arabia university students

Language skills depend on the meaning of words and the knowledge of the subject/context. The meanings of words that shape the true understanding of contexts are needed to experience language as a real-life activity. College students in Saudi Arabia struggle to develop desired proficiency in the English language that is required to further advance in their academic endeavours. It has been observed that even the minimum vocabulary level is far to be realised as reality, which consequently has posed a challenge for the various stakeholders to find the most effective strategies for Saudi learners. The present study tries to unfold the basic components which are needed to be in order first before considering the other related factors. In this study, a total of 85 male and female students were asked first appear for the vocabulary test, required to assess if they have achieved their desired levels. Their academic achievement in the specialised vocabulary course and their achievement in the standardised test have been compared with their strategies for language learning. The differences in the responses of the high achievers and the low achievers observed and found that high achievers give importance to all the strategies equally well, whereas the low achievers just focus on meta-cognitive and memory strategies. The results open up new dimensions for the teachers as well as the learners to choose and implement the best practices suited as per their academic and non-academic needs. Besides this, the other stakeholders like material developers, curriculum designers, educators and trainers will also have a macro picture of inside and outside of classrooms so that they could narrow down on the associated elements (motivation, learners’ autonomy, socio-cultural contexts etc.)

Pengaruh Model Pembelajaran Inquiry Training pada Materi Gerak Harmonik Sederhana terhadap Keterampilan Proses Sains Kelas X SMA Negeri 1 Tualang

This study aims to determine the effect of learning inquiry trainingmodel on simple harmonic motion lessons to the students' science process skills ingrade X SMA Negeri 1 Tualang. The type of this study was quasi experiment with IntactGroup Comparison design and involved 1 control class and 1 experimental classconsisting of 68 students. The instrument used in this research is a science skill testconsisting of 18 validated description questions. The result of the analysis shows thatthe six aspects of science process skill consist of observation skills, collecting andprocessing the data, planning the experiment / research, formulating and testing thehypothesis, formulating the explanation and drawing conclusions in the experimentalclass with the treatment using inquiry training model higher than the control classUsing conventional models. Based on the data analysis and discussion it can beconcluded that the inquiry training model positively influences the science process skillson simple harmonic motion lessons

Perancangan Media Pembelajaran Fisika Animasi Tiga Dimensi Pada Materi Inti Atom Menggunakan Aplikasi Blender Untuk Sekolah Menengah Atas

Microscopic physics education subject like core atom is invisible physics subject that needed multimedia to help the students understanding the subject. All this time student understanding about this subject was still low and it make some of student afraid about this subject. Start from how important to understand this subject so we need to make the solution. Learning multimedia which base on three-dimensional animation that can create something abstract to be more real is the solution that given on this research. It was create by Blender application and designed by ADDIE design model that be based on pedagogic, program and learning subject. Result of this research is Blender application with 500 MB size that can be open by computer with processor dual core or equal and RAM 2GB as the minimum capacity. The validation data is 4,515 in very high category. It was found that is good to continue this research so that this learning multimedia can help students to understand about core atom subject

Experiential Learning in a Management Information Systems Course: Simulating IT Consulting and CRM System Procurement

Educating management students in technology-based disciplines can be enhanced through experiential team projects simulating the activities employees perform in actual technology jobs. This paper describes an experiential team project the authors use in the Management Information Systems course at Boston College. The project was developed jointly by Boston College faculty and consultants from the Boston office of a major consulting firm. The project involves student teams playing the roles of IT consultants who must compete against one another to win a consulting engagement at an imaginary company. The company\u27s business situation is communicated to students through a case study written in the format of a Request For Proposal (RFP) informing information technology (IT) vendors that the company is interested in procuring a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. Each student team develops a consulting proposal responding to the RFP and presents the proposal to company managers. The activities involved in identifying the company\u27s business needs, developing a proposal, and determining which team wins the contract are simulated through phone calls and live meetings with company managers, who are role-played by consulting firm employees. These real-life business interactions expose students to the ever changing nature of IT, motivate them to improve their technical understanding, and challenge them to improve their communication skills through written deliverables and live business presentations. Student buy-in and response to the project is strong and immediate since they find themselves challenged by complex, relevant business issues