Zur Bedeutung von Unterrichtsqualität für die naturwissenschaftliche Kompetenz von Grundschulkindern. Ein Fokus auf Kinder mit ungünstigen Lernvoraussetzungen

Research on classroom instruction has consistently identified characteristics that contribute to student learning. For instance, these include structural-organizational aspects (e.g., classroom management) and affective aspects (e.g., classroom social climate). The idea that the effects of instruction may differentially depend on students’ characteristics has been investigated within the scope of aptitude-treatment-interactions (ATI) research. This study of elementary school (1,041 students, 54 classes) builds on ATI and examines main effects and interaction effects of instructional quality (i.e., classroom management and classroom social climate) and individual risks of school failure (i.e., demographic risk: immigration background or functional risk: low cognitive ability scores) on students’ science competence. Based on hierarchical linear modeling and class-level aggregated student ratings of instructional quality, results show a positive link between classroom social climate and science competence but not for classroom management and science competence. As its most important finding, our study demonstrates the compensatory capacity of instructional quality to narrow the achievement gap between students at risk and their peers. Furthermore, classroom management also counteracted risk of school failure when controlling for students’ language proficiency. (DIPF/Orig.)Im Rahmen von Forschung zu gutem Unterricht wurden Unterrichtsqualitätsmerkmale identifiziert, die mit dem Lernerfolg von Schülerinnen und Schülern verbunden sind. Diese beinhalten bspw. strukturell-organisatorische Aspekte, wie Classroom Management, oder affektive Aspekte, wie das Klassenklima. Dass der Lernerfolg nicht nur von Unterrichtsmerkmalen, sondern auch von deren Wechselspiel mit den individuellen Lernervoraussetzungen abhängt, ist Thema der Forschung zu Aptitude-Treatment-Interactions (ATI). Gegenwärtig erfährt diese Forschung erneute Aufmerksamkeit und bestätigende empirische Befunde. Diese Studie an deutschen Grundschulen (1041 Kinder aus 54 Klassen) knüpft daran an und prüft Haupt- und Interaktionseffekte von Unterrichtsqualitätsmerkmalen (Classroom Management und Klassenklima) sowie individuellen Lernvoraussetzungen (Migrationshintergrund oder geringe kognitive Grundfähigkeiten) für die naturwissenschaftliche Kompetenz von Grundschulkindern. Ergebnisse aus Mehrebenenanalysen zeigen einen positiven Zusammenhang zwischen Klassenklima und naturwissenschaftlicher Kompetenz, nicht aber zwischen Classroom Management und naturwissenschaftlicher Kompetenz. Darüber hinaus zeigten sich Interaktionseffekte zwischen Unterrichtsqualitäts- und Schülermerkmalen dahingehend, dass Unterrichtsqualität einen ausgleichenden Effekt auf die Leistungen von Kindern mit ungünstigen Lernvoraussetzungen und diejenigen ihrer Mitschülerinnen und Mitschüler ausübte. Dieser kompensatorische Effekt zeigte sich für Classroom Management auch nach Kontrolle sprachlicher Kompetenzen. (DIPF/Orig.

Embedded formative assessment and classroom process quality. How do they interact in promoting students\u27 science understanding

In this study we examine the interplay between curriculum-embedded formative assessment-a well-known teaching practice-and general features of classroom process quality (i.e., cognitive activation, supportive climate, classroom management) and their combined effect on elementary school students\u27 understanding of the scientific concepts of floating and sinking. We used data from a cluster-randomized controlled trial and compared curriculum-embedded formative assessment (17 classes) with a control group (11 classes). Curriculum-embedded formative assessment and classroom process quality promoted students\u27 learning. Moreover, classroom process quality and embedded formative assessment interacted in promoting student learning. To ensure effective instruction and consequently satisfactory learning outcomes, teachers need to combine specific teaching practices with high classroom process quality. (DIPF/Orig.

The connection between teaching and learning. Linking teaching quality and metacognitive strategy use in primary school

Background: In order for teaching to be successful, students need to be actively involved in learning. However, research on teaching effectiveness often neglects students\u27 learning activities. Although it is assumed that effective teaching promotes the use of beneficial learning activities, empirical evidence for this connection is still limited. Aims: This study aimed to investigate the connection between effective teaching and reported learning activities. We hypothesize specific relations between a three-dimensional model of teaching quality (i.e., cognitive activation, supportive climate, and classroom management) and students\u27 reported use of metacognitive strategies. Students\u27 intrinsic motivation is considered as a mediator and a moderator of this connection. Sample: N = 1,052 students from 53 German primary school classes and their science teachers participated. Methods: Data were collected through classroom or video observation and questionnaires over a period of approximately 2 months. Multilevel analysis was utilized to test our hypotheses. Results: Each dimension of teaching quality positively predicted students\u27 reported use of metacognitive strategies. For supportive climate, this connection was mediated by students\u27 intrinsic motivation. Cognitive activation negatively predicted the slopes between students\u27 reported metacognitive strategy use and motivation. Conclusions: The results support the notion that effective teaching is connected to learning activities and stress the importance of students\u27 learning motivation. Results from the cross-level interaction could indicate that especially less motivated students\u27 reported metacognitive strategy use might be supported by cognitively activating teaching. (DIPF/Orig.

Die Bedeutung individueller Merkmale und konstruktiver Unterstützung der Lehrkraft für die soziale Integration von Schülerinnen und Schülern im Mathematikunterricht der Sekundarstufe

Der vorliegende Beitrag untersucht die Bedeutung von individuellen Merkmalen (Fähigkeitsselbstkonzept und Leistungsängstlichkeit) sowie von konstruktiver Unterstützung durch Lehrkräfte für die soziale Integration von Schülerinnen und Schülern in der Sekundarstufe. Bezüglich des Unterrichtsqualitätsmerkmals der konstruktiven Unterstützung wird zwischen zwei Facetten unterschieden, nämlich einer sozio-emotionalen Unterstützung sowie einer fachlich-inhaltlichen Unterstützung durch die Lehrkraft. Dabei wird erstmals die Bedeutung dieser Facetten für die von Schülerinnen und Schülern erlebte soziale Integration untersucht und ebenso geprüft, welche differenziellen Zusammenhänge sich für Lernende mit individuellen Risikofaktoren schulischer Entwicklung zeigen. Es wurden Befragungsdaten aus zwei Erhebungszeitpunkten (mittlerer Abstand: 8 Wochen) von 1.116 Schülerinnen und Schülern in 49 Mathematikklassen der Sekundarstufe mehrebenen-analytisch ausgewertet. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass beide Facetten konstruktiver Unterstützung mit dem Erleben sozialer Integration zusammenhingen. Schülerinnen und Schüler mit niedrigem Mathematik-Fähigkeitsselbstkonzept bzw. hoher Leistungsängstlichkeit fühlten sich weniger gut in die Klassengemeinschaft integriert. Die Facetten konstruktiver Unterstützung spielten für diese Zusammenhänge eine besondere Rolle: Der Zusammenhang zwischen Fähigkeitsselbstkonzept und sozialer Integration wurde durch eine fachlich-inhaltliche Unterstützung moderiert, sodass sich Lernende mit niedrigem Fähigkeitsselbstkonzept in Klassen mit hoher fachlich-inhaltlicher Unterstützung vergleichbar gut sozial integriert fühlten wie die anderen Lernenden. Der Zusammenhang von Leistungsängstlichkeit und sozialer Integration wurde durch beide Facetten konstruktiver Unterstützung moderiert, sodass in Klassen mit hoher konstruktiver Unterstützung Lernende mit hoher Leistungsängstlichkeit sich genauso sozial integriert erlebten wie ihre weniger leistungsängstlichen Mitschülerinnen und Mitschüler. Der Beitrag untermauert somit die hohe Bedeutung von Beziehungsqualität im schulischen Kontext und bringt neue Erkenntnisse zu differenziellen Zusammenhängen von Unterricht und schulischen Outcomes in Abhängigkeit von den Lernvoraussetzungen der Schülerinnen und Schüler. (DIPF/Orig.)This paper examines the role of self-concept and test anxiety as well as "constructive support" by teachers for the social acceptance of students in secondary school. With regard to constructive support, a distinction is made between two central facets, namely socio-emotional support and instructional support. Here, for the first time, the role of these facets for the social acceptance experienced by students is investigated and it is examined which differential effects are shown for learners with individual risk factors of school failure. Survey data from two time points (mean interval 8 weeks) of 1,116 students in 49 secondary school mathematics classes in Germany were analysed using multi-level analyses. The results show that both facets of constructive support were related to students\u27 perceived social acceptance. Students with low mathematics self-concept or high anxiety felt less well integrated into class. The facets of constructive support played a special role for these correlations: The connection between self-concept and social acceptance was moderated by instructional support, so that in classes with high instructional support, learners with low self-concept felt comparably well socially integrated as the other learners. The relationship between anxiety and social acceptance was moderated by both facets of constructive support, so that in classes with high constructive support, learners with high performance anxiety perceived themselves as socially accepted as their less anxious peers. This contribution thus supports the high importance of relationship quality in school and provides new insights into differential connections between teaching and school outcomes depending on the learning prerequisites of the students. (DIPF/Orig.

Pyrimidoquinazolinophenanthroline Opens Next Chapter in Design of Bridging Ligands for Artificial Photosynthesis **

The synthesis and detailed characterization of a new Ru polypyridine complex containing a heteroditopic bridging ligand with previously unexplored metal‐metal distances is presented. Due to the twisted geometry of the novel ligand, the resultant division of the ligand in two distinct subunits leads to steady state as well as excited state properties of the corresponding mononuclear Ru(II) polypyridine complex resembling those of prototype [Ru(bpy) 3 ] 2+ (bpy=2,2'‐bipyridine). The localization of the initially optically excited and the nature of the long‐lived excited states on the Ru‐facing ligand spheres is evaluated by resonance Raman and fs‐TA spectroscopy, respectively, and supported by DFT and TDDFT calculations. Coordination of a second metal (Zn or Rh) to the available bis‐pyrimidyl‐like coordination sphere strongly influences the frontier orbitals, apparent by, for example, luminescence quenching. Thus, the new bridging ligand motif offers electronic properties, which can be adjusted by the nature of the second metal center. Using the heterodinuclear Ru−Rh complex, visible light‐driven reduction of NAD + to NADH was achieved, highlighting the potential of this system for photocatalytic applications

Was tun? Perspektiven für eine Unterrichtsqualitätsforschung der Zukunft

Die Unterrichtsqualitätsforschung hat in den vergangenen Jahrzehnten viel zum Verständnis der Merkmale beitragen, die einen qualitätsvollen Unterricht auszeichnen. Sie hat einflussreiche Modelle hervorgebracht, die eine gemeinsame Grundlage für die Erforschung des Unterrichts bereitstellen. Gleichzeitig bringen gesellschaftliche Veränderungsprozesse eine Neuorientierung des schulischen Unterrichts mit sich, und es lässt sich fragen, ob die Unterrichtsqualitätsforschung mit ihren bisherigen Ansätzen in der Lage ist, in Zukunft zum Gelingen von Unterricht beizutragen. Im Rahmen einer Zukunftswerkstatt hat das Leibniz-Netzwerk Unterrichtsforschung daher einen längerfristig angelegten Prozess gestartet, um sich mit dem Unterricht der Zukunft zu beschäftigen und zu versuchen, drängende Fragen und Handlungsfelder für die Unterrichtsqualitätsforschung zu identifizieren. Der vorliegende Beitrag stellt die Ergebnisse dieses initialen Austauschs dar. Zudem wird ein Einblick in die gegenwärtige Arbeit im Netzwerk gegeben, die aufbauend auf den Ergebnissen der Zukunftswerkstatt eine Weiterentwicklung der Unterrichtsqualitätsforschung anstrebt

Oxytocin Receptor Genotype Modulates Ventral Striatal Activity to Social Cues and Response to Stressful Life Events

Background Common variants in the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) have been shown to influence social and affective behavior and to moderate the effect of adverse experiences on risk for social-affective problems. However, the intermediate neurobiological mechanisms are not fully understood. Although human functional neuroimaging studies have reported that oxytocin effects on social behavior and emotional states are mediated by amygdala function, animal models indicate that oxytocin receptors in the ventral striatum (VS) modulate sensitivity to social reinforcers. This study aimed to comprehensively investigate OXTR-dependent brain mechanisms associated with social-affective problems. Methods In a sample of 1445 adolescents we tested the effect of 23-tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms across the OXTR region and stressful life events (SLEs) on functional magnetic resonance imaging blood oxygen level-dependent activity in the VS and amygdala to animated angry faces. Single nucleotide polymorphisms for which gene-wide significant effects on brain function were found were then carried forward to examine associations with social-affective problems. Results A gene-wide significant effect of rs237915 showed that adolescents with minor CC-genotype had significantly lower VS activity than CT/TT-carriers. Significant or nominally significant gene × environment effects on emotional problems (in girls) and peer problems (in boys) revealed a strong increase in clinical symptoms as a function of SLEs in CT/TT-carriers but not CC-homozygotes. However, in low-SLE environments, CC-homozygotes had more emotional problems (girls) and peer problems (boys). Moreover, among CC-homozygotes, reduced VS activity was related to more peer problems. Conclusions These findings suggest that a common OXTR-variant affects brain responsiveness to negative social cues and that in "risk- carriers" reduced sensitivity is simultaneously associated with more social-affective problems in "favorable environments" and greater resilience against stressful experiences. © 2014 Society of Biological Psychiatry

Measurement of the cosmic ray spectrum above 4×10184{\times}10^{18} eV using inclined events detected with the Pierre Auger Observatory

A measurement of the cosmic-ray spectrum for energies exceeding $4{\times}10^{18}$ eV is presented, which is based on the analysis of showers with zenith angles greater than $60^{\circ}$ detected with the Pierre Auger Observatory between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2013. The measured spectrum confirms a flux suppression at the highest energies. Above $5.3{\times}10^{18}$ eV, the "ankle", the flux can be described by a power law $E^{-\gamma}$ with index $\gamma=2.70 \pm 0.02 \,\text{(stat)} \pm 0.1\,\text{(sys)}$ followed by a smooth suppression region. For the energy ($E_\text{s}$) at which the spectral flux has fallen to one-half of its extrapolated value in the absence of suppression, we find $E_\text{s}=(5.12\pm0.25\,\text{(stat)}^{+1.0}_{-1.2}\,\text{(sys)}){\times}10^{19}$ eV.Comment: Replaced with published version. Added journal reference and DO