Journal of Research in Educational Systems
Year:2010 | Volume:2 | Issue:7|Papers Count:7

This research has been undertaken to study the influence of teacher’s expectation on first year high school students' educational achievement. To do this, four classes, including 101 students (55 girls and 46 boys) were selected as the sample population. Given the experimental methodology of the research 46 students (21 boys and 25 girls) were placed in the control group and 55 students (25 boys and 30 girls) were placed in the subject group.  The students were instructed four hours per week during a period of four months by 4 teachers (2 women and 2 men) who were trained in the field of teacher expectations. Two hypotheses were tested in this study: (a) Teacher’s positive expectation can enhance students' educational achievement, (b) there are differences between the educational achievement of boys and girls subject to expectation. The study was conducted experimentally, and the experiment lasted for 4 months. The results after the post-test indicate that teacher’s expectation can enhance students' educational achievement. With regard to gender, there was no difference between boys and girls in terms of educational achievement. However, it seems that girls were more influenced by teacher’s expectation.

Motivation is an internal condition or state which activates behavior, it is a tendency or need which guides purposeful behavior. Self-regulation refers to methods through which a learner regulates and manages his/her learning. The present research investigates the relationship between motivation and self-regulation among students of basic sciences. 365 students (281 girls and 84 boys) from Tehran, Shahid Beheshti, and Azad universities completed the MSLQ questionnaire. Structural Equation Model (SEM) (covariance analysis and factor analysis) and AMOS statistical program were used to analyze the data. The results showed that the two-factor model was a proper model, the factors are reliable and show a high level of correlation. Moreover, results of the structural equation showed that improvement in students' goals lead to improvement in self-efficacy, value of studying, expectance of successful results and sense of comfort, repetition, ability to link issues, sound thinking, control, time and environment management, effort, learning with other students and requesting help from others.

This research was intended to investigate viewpoints of higher education admission examination applicants in 2008 as well as first year students (2007 applicants) in order to find out those factors affecting course selection and provide recommendations about the way to improve it. The research used a survey method and its target population consisted of applicants eligible for course selection as well as first year students of governmental universities. A researcher made questionnaire with a reliability of 0.838 was used to gather the required data. The results showed that the following factors are influencing course selection respectively: career prospect, social status, course type, interest, family, nearness or farness of the university to one's living place, friends and peers, advertisement of the media as well as personal limitations. The results also showed that those information materials published by the State Educational Evaluation Organization have priority over other resources based on the viewpoints of both students and applicants. Both groups faced difficulties in realizing the regulations regarding course selection and had limited information about the allocation of course capacities.

With regard to the major role and place of emotional intelligence in individual growth and gaining social qualifications and abilities, this research has tried to study the condition of emotional intelligence and its fifteen parameters among university students. In order to do that, 370 students were chosen from the four faculties of Kashan University (Humanities, Basic Sciences, Engineering, Architecture and Art), using cluster sampling. The measuring tool for this study is Bar-on questionnaire. Inferential and descriptive statistic indexes (One-way ANOVA and independent T test) were used in order to analyze the data. The results showed that among the parameters of emotional intelligence, responsibility had the highest level, and self expression had the lowest level among students. In the meantime, significant difference was observed among the students of the four faculties, in the parameters of self-realization, sympathy, interpersonal relationship and realism. Also, though the total score for emotional intelligence showed no significant difference for boys and girls, significant difference was observed in the parameters of sympathy, social responsibility, interpersonal relationship and realism, in favor of girls. On the other hand, this research is proposed based on prior conducted studies and drastic deficiencies in the abilities and proficiencies of emotional intelligence, which students, as educated adults face with, and also in the direction of recognition and restitution of the role of emotional intelligence. This area should change from an inoperative educational curriculum, and be recognized in the form of formal educational curriculum.

Educational integration has become one of the dominant educational methods for various groups of exceptional children, since it seems that using this method leads to more enjoyment of their human rights by exceptional students. The present research has been undertaken to study the educational integration method in Iran and various factors affecting parents' attitudes towards this method. The sample included 204 parents of exceptional students in Arak city. Parents' attitudes were studied using a researcher made questionnaire. Various statistical techniques were used including test of significance for two independent ratios, Pearson correlation coefficient, and one-way ANOVA. Results showed that the attitude of parents were positive towards educational integration and had significant positive relations with parents' age, the number of their children's friends as well as parents' educational qualifications. School facilities and classroom density were among those issues which the parents were not satisfied with. Non-use of individual education by border students as well as lack of extracurricular classes were among limitations faced by schools engaged in the plan.

This paper addresses various aspects and characteristics of entrepreneurship among graduates of universities and higher education institutes, especially in the field of Humanities. Given the fact that entrepreneurship does not have a long history in the country and has not received serious attention at the national level, the required grounds for entrepreneurship should be prepared for the young generation seeking employment, while formal and informal education and training of entrepreneurs should be promoted through university and non-university courses. Therefore, studying the capabilities and capacities of university students and fostering an entrepreneur generation is vital.The present paper has been prepared based on the research findings of the author and its target population includes various stakeholders of the press community. The paper is informed by ideas of Humanities, that is, it has been noted that the development of Humanities from an entrepreneurship perspective is directly related to educational course, individual skill, individual motive, and risk taking.

This research was undertaken with a view to study influential factors on the development of virtual universities in the country and explore future situation of these universities. To this end, a valid method in strategic management (namely SWOT) was used. Efforts have been made to assess the situation of the new and vital phenomenon of virtual universities in the country through identifying internal and external factors affecting the expansion and development of these universities. The sample of this research consisted of 38 experts in the field of electronic learning and virtual university across the country. The research used a descriptive-survey method and administered a questionnaire to gather the data. Findings of the research revealed various strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats with regard to the expansion of virtual universities in the country as well as their future situation.