فصلنامه پژوهش در نظام های آموزشی
پیاپی 6 (بهار 1388)

The main purpose of this study was to introduce a new non-dichotomous scoring procedure for the multiple-choice test method, called Parledge. The research also aimed to determine Parledge characteristics through a psychometric study comparing it with the “Number Correct” and “Correction for Guessing” scoring methods. There were 35 students participating in the study who were given a vocabulary and a structure tests. The results revealed favorable characteristics for parledge although it involves penalty threat. Further, positive psychometric, educational and cognitive implications were provided.

This paper aims at examining the effect ofpeople development management (PDM) on knowledge management cycle. Although PDM and KM have been studied several times separately; however, this research for the first time is testing the effects of PDM on KM. The paper investigates how people development management (PDM) may affect the performance of knowledge management (KM) in an organization. Eight variables were identified on the basis of a well-known PDM model. These independent variables were tested against four dependent variables of KM, using the multiple regressionmethod. The findings are based on responses to a questionnaire. The results revealed that three of the independent variables have a linear relationship with the cycle of KM. In case of surveyed organization, through the dimension of people development, the most important factor for effective implementation of knowledge management cycle is learning needs analysis, followed by monitoring and then managing and allocating organization resources. However, other variables should not be ignored totally, as they are probably important for some other PDM departments.

In an organization, human resources are known as a valuable and lasting capital. In order to get the most out of these resources, employees' empowerment appeared in the management literature. Empowerment refers to the delegation of authority in order to lay appropriate ground for self-motivation and self-efficacy among employees.The main aim of this study was to explore the effective factors, especially training for employees'  empowerment. The statistical population of this study comprised 350 personnel of Center for Medical Documents (CMD), affiliated to the Social Security Organization.The sample consisted of 180 personnel who were randomly selected using sample size formula.The research tool was a self-report questionnaire.The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.The results revealed that among all factors, participative management,organic structure and supportive culture tended to show significant relations with employees' empowerment.The results also indicated that the organization needed to conduct proper short-term and long-term tailored training and to create appropriate ground for financial and spiritual motivation. Accordingly, the study suggests a program for employees' empowerment in CMD.

One of the areas in which information and communication technology (ICT) has had great and worldwide achievements is education. Different countries have set up, explicitly or implicitly, the plans, priorities, and agendas of their own. One of the concerns of the Iranian government in the last decade has been the application of ICT as a component to realization of the national development and as an instrument to promotion of the quality and the quantity of social services and, as a result, the promotion of social life. Such a national ICT agenda is called TAKFA. In this agenda, among the priorities has been the Education Sector. In this paper, the major projects in this regard such as "provision of educational content", "establishing an inter-school network ROSHD", "Production of multimedia content of text books" and "developing e-learning software for technical and vocational training" are reviewed. In the next step, their aims and targets are compared with the concrete achievements, i.e., with what is actually realized. Finally, a sociological account of what has happened and is happening are presented.

This study attempts to root out some of the causes of absence of conceptual understanding in elementary level particularly in math subject and the factors that cause this deficiency. As a body of researchers, we use a quasi-form of methodology qualitatively designed by which we give a pre-test and post-test to our participants (randomly selected teachers and students), through some open-ended questions. Through open-ended questions, pupils will be led through processes like understanding the problem, how to fit new information into already existing networks of knowledge and - when thinking critically at the process of learning - the leaner will conceptualize and reorganize the thoughts in order to create presumably new knowledge. The data were collected through interviews (giving answers to post-test open ended questions) and observation and analyzed simultaneously just in order not to miss any information during the study. The conclusion of this study showed that there were various methods of teaching and every instructor would have his or her own style for conceptual learning. There is no universal “one-size-fits-all” teaching practice. Instead, depending on the goal and circumstances, it might be appropriate to combine various methods. For example, one might decide to embed cooperative group discussions into traditional lectures, or one could alternate between hands-on experiments and traditional lectures. The many possibilities then become a rich set of opportunities from which a teacher can construct a more meaningful learning instructional program.

This paper seeks to identify the philosophical origins of the teaching of art and design and subsequently trace its incorporation into a teaching program in the UK. It briefly discusses the nature of its classical ‘drawing’ background and the conflicts in the debate as to what ‘design’ means. It then goes on to identify the cultural and political context which shaped the institutions, such as Art Schools, Regional Art and Design Schools, Municipal Institutes, and finally faculties within the University system. There are some indications of curriculum for the early stages of the Regional Schools and concludes with an indicative summary of the structure of a large University Faculty of Art and Design.

Nowadays, Universities have come across a main transformation. Lack of budget, an increase in the number of university students, a change in the student population, up-to-date and various educational needs of each society require fundamental changes that are coordinated with recent needs. This study aimed to evaluate the features of effective distance education in higher education. Findings of this research showed that an understanding of the technological capabilities and learning theories, especially constructive theory and independent learning theory and communicative and interaction theory in distance learning is an efficient factor in the planning of effective distance learning in higher education. For validating the specified features, the opinions of distance learning experts in Payamenoor, Shiraz, Science and Technology and Amir Kabir Universities have been used which verified a high percentage of the statistical sample of the above mentioned features.