Jim Clark writes on >the striking contrast is the emphasis on clarity in >Beijing (50) and sensitivity in Chicago (42). Only >one of many differences, of course, between Asian >and American schooling.
And, I would add, between Asian and British schooling as well. Some idea of the differences, and an indication that China is likely to experience a surge in scientific achievements in the coming years, can be seen from this article: http://www.spectator.co.uk/essays/6526228/the-gaokao-challenge.thtml Allen Esterson Former lecturer, Science Department Southwark College, London allenester...@compuserve.com http://www.esterson.org --------------------------------------------------------- From: Jim Clark <j.cl...@uwinnipeg.ca> Subject: Re: Teacher evaluations and learning Date: Sun, 12 Dec 2010 18:01:02 -0600 Hi There is a great book by Charters and Waples (1929) which asked students (among others) about the qualities of good teachers. It is actually on-line if one wants to wade through its 700 pages. http://www.archive.org/details/commonwealthteac027990mbp Here's a brief idea about how Allan Paivio and I interpreted some of the findings in a paper on Dual Coding Theory and Education: "The instructional benefits of imagery and concreteness also appear in works on teaching skills and effectiveness. An early and extensive effort to document teaching activities was the Commonwealth Teacher-Training Study (Charters and Waples, 1929). In this study, teachers, school administrators, and other participants generated a large number of teaching traits and activities. The resulting items were subsequently categorized and rated on such dimensions as importance. One large category of activities was called "Teaching Subject Matter," which included many activities suggesting a direct role for concreteness and imagery in teaching. Pedagogical practices related to imagery included using effective pictures, diagrams, models, and other illustrations for lessons, and showing relationships between school subjects and events in real life. These recommendations parallel imagery-related suggestions discussed earlier in the context of effective study strategies." It gives some idea about how concrete and practical were at least some of the qualities that emerged. On a somewhat related note, one study compared qualities of good teachers according to PARENTS, and found: What Makes a Good Teacher? Beijing Chicago Clarity 50 8 Sensitivity 8 42 Enthusiasm 35 25 Standards 9 11 Patience 2 13 If this lines up properly, the striking contrast is the emphasis on clarity in Beijing (50) and sensitivity in Chicago (42). Only one of many differences, of course, between Asian and American schooling. Take care Jim James M. Clark Professor of Psychology 204-786-9757 204-774-4134 Fax j.cl...@uwinnipeg.ca --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: arch...@jab.org. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=7157 or send a blank email to leave-7157-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
