ICT, EFL teacher development and the reform of college English in China: an implementation study
The purpose of this study was to investigate ICT-related EFL teacher development in the context of Chinese national College English reform. Four aims were established. First, to examine the current situation in a specific institution from the perspectives of: 1) teachers' attitudes towards ICT use in the context of College English reform; 2) the integration of ICT in English classes; 3) provision of ICT support within current continuing professional development (CPD) programmes for EFL teachers. Second, to assess the suitability of the CPD policies and practices for EFL teachers as a way of supporting the national College English reform. Third, to identify key issues affecting the effective provision of CPO in relation to ICT for EFL teachers. Fourth, to suggest possible solutions to problems identified and directions for future research. The study employed a case study involving quantitative and qualitative methods in order to give an in-depth account of the process of implementation of the reform at particular point in time. The findings indicated that initially the majority of teachers had held positive attitudes towards ICT use in English teaching and the national reform, but their enthusiasm was waning in the light of inadequate support and training. The national reform had, however, stimulated the improvement of ICT competence of both teachers and students. At the same time, it had challenged EFL teachers to adapt to new teaching materials, student-centred classroom teaching and how to guide students in their autonomous learning. In terms of ICT-related CPD policies and practices, there existed a gap between the current policies in the provision of CPD and demand for this. Recommendations are made for future research and for improvements in policy and practice of ICT-related CPD for EFL teachers in China.
E-Learning initiatives in China: Pedagogy, policy and culture
Book Review: Helen, Spencer-Oatey (Ed.). E-Learning initiatives in China: Pedagogy, policy and culture. Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press, 2007.
Collagen dynamics in articular cartilage under osmotic pressure
Cartilage is a complex biological tissue consisting of collagen, proteoglycans and water. The structure and molecular mobility of the collagen component of cartilage were studied by 13C solid‐state NMR spectroscopy as a function of hydration. The hydration level of cartilage was adjusted between fully hydrated (∼80 wt% H2O) and highly dehydrated (∼30 wt% H2O) using the osmotic stress technique. Thus, the conditions of mechanical load could be simulated and the response of the tissue macromolecules to mechanical stress is reported. From the NMR measurements, the following results were obtained. (i) Measurements of motionally averaged dipolar 1H–13C couplings were carried out to study the segmental mobility in cartilage collagen at full hydration. Backbone segments undergo fast motions with amplitudes of ∼35° whereas the collagen side‐chains are somewhat more mobile with amplitudes between 40 and 50°. In spite of the high water content of cartilage, collagen remains essentially rigid. (ii) No chemical shift changes were observed in 13C cross‐polarization magic angle spinning spectra of cartilage tissue at varying hydration indicating that the collagen structure was not altered by application of high osmotic stress. (iii) The 1H–13C dipolar coupling values detected for collagen signals respond to dehydration. The dipolar coupling values gradually increase upon cartilage dehydration, reaching rigid limit values at ∼30 wt% H2O. This indicates that collagen is essentially dehydrated in cartilage tissue under very high mechanical load, which provides insights into the elastic properties of cartilage collagen, although the mechanical pressures applied here exceed the physiological limit. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.