Aspects of writing knowledge and EFL students' writing quality

Writing knowledge pertaining to process, system, content, and genre plays an essential role to produce an intelligible composition. The purpose of the present study is twofold – to investigate the correlation between aspects of writing knowledge and quality of writing, and to investigate the contribution of the overall and individual aspects of writing knowledge to writing quality. The participants were 54 second-year ELT undergraduate students of a university in Indonesia. A writing test and multiple-choice test on writing knowledge were used as the instruments of data collection. The analysis employed Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regressions. The result revealed a significant positive correlation between writing knowledge and writing quality. As a unit, the knowledge of process, system, content, and genre, indicates a significant contribution to the writing quality. Individually, however, only process knowledge significantly contributes to the writing quality. It provides additional pieces of evidence that process knowledge be given special attention, thus writing instruction should allow students to learn writing knowledge explicitly and implicitly.

Assessment of Soybean Resistance Level to Pod Sucking Bug Riptortus linearis F. (Hemiptera: Coreidae) based on No-choice and Free-choice Tests

Background: The infestation of the pod sucking bug Riptortus linearis is one of the limiting factors of soybean productivity in Indonesia. The research aims were to identify the level of resistance to the pod sucking bug R. linearis on several soybean genotypes based on the no-choice test (NCT) and free-choice tests (FCT). Methods: The genetic materials used were 49 soybean genotypes. The study was conducted in the Indonesian Legumes and Tuber Crops Research Institute (ILETRI) from August to December 2020, using the randomized block design in triplicates. The evaluation for pod sucking bug resistance was based on NCT and FCT. Result: The FCT resulted in two genotypes with a consistent moderately resistance level (20-40% of damage intensity) to pod sucking bug based on the pod and seed damage intensity. The NCT method resulted in five genotypes as moderately resistant (20-40% of damage intensity) to pod sucking bug based on the seed damage. The NCT resulted in higher average intensity of pod and seed damage (80.25% and 71.23%, respectively) than the FCT (69.91% and 69.09%, respectively). Two soybean genotypes (Degra/Anjasmoro-1-559 and Anjasmoro/IAC100-2-618) with a consistent moderately resistance level could be used for cultivar improvement in the breeding program. The pod trichome density was suggested to be one of the effective morphological defenses against the pod sucking bug attack.

Unlocking adults’ implicit statistical learning by cognitive depletion

Human learning is supported by multiple neural mechanisms that maturate at different rates and interact in mostly cooperative but also sometimes competitive ways. We tested the hypothesis that mature cognitive mechanisms constrain implicit statistical learning mechanisms that contribute to early language acquisition. Specifically, we tested the prediction that depleting cognitive control mechanisms in adults enhances their implicit, auditory word-segmentation abilities. Young adults were exposed to continuous streams of syllables that repeated into hidden novel words while watching a silent film. Afterward, learning was measured in a forced-choice test that contrasted hidden words with nonwords. The participants also had to indicate whether they explicitly recalled the word or not in order to dissociate explicit versus implicit knowledge. We additionally measured electroencephalography during exposure to measure neural entrainment to the repeating words. Engagement of the cognitive mechanisms was manipulated by using two methods. In experiment 1 (n = 36), inhibitory theta-burst stimulation (TBS) was applied to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex or to a control region. In experiment 2 (n = 60), participants performed a dual working-memory task that induced high or low levels of cognitive fatigue. In both experiments, cognitive depletion enhanced word recognition, especially when participants reported low confidence in remembering the words (i.e., when their knowledge was implicit). TBS additionally modulated neural entrainment to the words and syllables. These findings suggest that cognitive depletion improves the acquisition of linguistic knowledge in adults by unlocking implicit statistical learning mechanisms and support the hypothesis that adult language learning is antagonized by higher cognitive mechanisms.

Active blended learning management in music subject based on the hybrid learning framework for primary 4 students at Ban Nong Du School, Thawat Buri District, Roi Et Province

The objectives of this research were 1) to develop an active blended learning management plan in Music subject based on the hybrid learning framework to be effective according to 80/80 criteria, 2) to compare the students' academic achievement between pretest and posttest periods, and 3) to study the satisfaction of students towards the active blended learning management in music subject based on the hybrid learning framework. The target group of this research was the 14 primary 4 students of Ban Nong Du School. Thawat Buri District, Roi Et Province in semester 1, academic year 2021, which was selected from purposive sampling. The research instruments were: 1) the index of conformity (IOC) of the music learning management plan according to the hybrid learning framework was 0.87. This showed that experts are of the opinion that an effective learning management plan can be implemented. 2) The achievement test was a 30-item, four-choice test. The test had a difficulty and power value classified between 0.41-0.60, which was appropriate and could be tested. 3) A questionnaire on the satisfaction of students towards active blended learning management in music subject based on the hybrid learning framework consisted of 15 items.

Perbandingan Metode Pembelajaran Number Heads Together (NHT) Dan Metode Pembelajaran Student Team Achievement Division (STAD) Terhadap Hasil Belajar Siswa Kelas VII Di MTs Madinatussalam

This study aims to determine the differences between NHT) and STAD learning outcomes of clas VII Biology MTs Madinatussalam. The sample of this research is class VII-1 with 32 student as NHT class and 32 student in VII-2 as STAD class. The instrument used in this study was a multiple choice test concisting of 20 questions. The results of analysis showed that the average post-test score for the experimental class I NHT was 82 very high category. Meanwhile, the experimental class II STAD the average post-test score was 67,2 high category. The hypothesis test of the difference in learning outcomes of students in expremental class I NHT and expremental class II STAD, obtained tcount = 6,036>ttable = 1.999, then Ho is rejected and Ha is acepted. This shows that there is a difference in the biology lerning out comes of student who are thought using NHT learning method and those taught using the STAD learning method.

Pengaruh Strategi Pembelajaran STAD Dengan Bantuan Media Roda Putar Terhadap Hasil Belajar Sistem Ekskresi Manusia

This study aims to see the effect of STAD learning strategy on Student Learning Outcomes in the Human Expression System Material in Class VIII MTs TPI Bandar Betsy. This type of research is a Quasi-Experimental Research. The population in this study were all students of class VIII MTs TPI Bandar Betsy consisting of class VIII which was placed 20 students as the experimental class and class VIII B which was designed by 20 students as the control class. The instrument used to collect data was a multiple-choice test consisting of 20 questions. In the research, the data analysis used paired simple t test with the help of SPSS version 22 software. It shows that sig <0.05 with a sig value of 0.00 <0.05 with a t-count value of 51.822 and a t-table of 2.09 in the experimental class. H0 is rejected and Ha is accepted. Then it can be revealed that there is an effect of STAD learning strategy with the help of rotating media on student learning outcomes in the human excretion system in class VIII MTs TPI Bandar Betsy.

Pengaruh Model Pembelajaran Probing Promting Terhadap Kemampuan Berpikir Kritis Dan Hasil Belajar Biologi Siswa Kelas XI Mas Cipta

This study aims to determine the effect of the probing learning model on critical thinking skills and biology learning outcomes for class XI students. This type of research is quasi-experimental research. The sample of this research is class XI IPA 2 opens 30 people as experimental class and XI IPA 3 opens 30 people as control class. The instrument used to collect data is a multiple-choice test consisting of 20 critical thinking skills questions and 20 learning outcomes test questions. Data analysis in this study was a paired simple t test with the help of the SPSS 20.00 program. The results of the analysis of critical thinking skills obtained tcount = 24,418 and ttable = 2,045, which means Ho is rejected, Ha is accepted. This shows that there is an effect of the probing learning model on the critical thinking skills of class XI MAS Cipta Simpang Dolok T.P 2019/2020 students. Meanwhile, from the results of the analysis of the results obtained tcount = 22,381 and ttable = 2.405, which means that Ho is rejected, Ha is accepted. This shows that there is an effect of the probing prompting learning model on the learning outcomes of class XI Mas Cipta.

Effect of host plants on the oviposition preference of pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders, 1843)) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is an important pest of cotton. We aimed to study the effect of different host plants on the oviposition preference of pink bollworm under laboratory conditions. Cotton (Bt and non-Bt), okra and hibiscus plants were used, which vary in morphological characteristics. Significant differences were observed in the density of trichomes and it is positively correlated with oviposition behaviour of pink bollworm. In a no-choice test, we recorded a higher number of eggs on Bt and non-Bt cotton plants. In two-, three- and four-choice experiments, pink bollworm preferred to deposit the maximum number of eggs on non-Bt cotton among other host plants. A substantially higher number of eggs were laid on Bt cotton in combinations with okra and hibiscus and a considerably lower number on non-Bt cotton. We recorded fewer numbers of eggs on hibiscus in all combinations. Overall, pink bollworm moths showed greater affinity towards non-Bt cotton plants and deposited the maximum number of eggs there. From the practical point of view, the development of cotton genotypes which are devoid or have a lesser density of trichomes may be a possible solution to reduce the pink bollworm egg load on cotton.

Analysis of Item Writing Flaws in a Communications Skills Test in a Ghanaian University

Adhering to the rules governing the writing of multiple-choice test items will ensure quality and validity. However, realizing this ideal could be challenging for non-native English language teachers and students. This is especially so for non-native English language teachers because developing test items in a language that neither they nor their students use as their mother tongue raises a multitude of issues related to quality and validity. A descriptive study on this problem was conducted at a Technical University in Ghana which focused on item writing flaws in a communication skills test. The use of multiple-choice test in Ghanaian universities has increased over the last decade due to increasing student intake. A 20-item multiple-choice test in communication skills was administered to 110 students. The test items were analyzed using a framework informed by standard item writing principles based on the revised taxonomy of multiple-choice item-writing guides by Haladyna, Downing and Rodriguez (2002). The facility and discrimination index (DI) was calculated for all the items. In total, 60% of the items were flawed based on standard items writing principles. The most violated guideline was wording stems negatively. Pearson correlation analysis indicated a weak relationship between the difficulty and discrimination indices. Using the discrimination indices of the flawed items showed that 84.6 % of them had discrimination indices below the optimal level of 0.40 and above. The lowest DI was recorded by an item with which was worded negatively. The mean facility of the test was 45%. It was observed that the flawed items were more difficult than the non-flawed items. The study suggested that test items must be properly reviewed before they are used to assess students’ knowledge.

Mice behavioural models with pooled data analysis of Gelsemium studies and new findings about Ignatia and Aconitum

Objective: We investigated the effects of three different homeopathic medicines in several dilutions/dynamizations on mice, using validated models which explore anxiety-like and emotional symptoms. Two complete series of investigations were performed in order to assess the activity of Gelsemium sempervirens; furthermore, we investigated Ignatia amara and Aconitum napellus in the same model systems. Methods: Mice of CD1 strain were randomized in different cages (minimum 8 mice per treated group in each experiment) and treatment solutions were coded in such a way that all protocols were carried out fully in blind. The indicated compounds at various centesimal dilutions/dynamizations, a control solution (the solvent vehicle of drugs, which was succussed before administration) or the reference drugs diazepam (1 mg/kg body weight) or buspirone (5 mg/kg body weight) diluted in the same succussed solvent were delivered intraperitoneally (0.3 ml/mice) for 9 days. A series of changes of animal behavior were assessed by the Light-Dark (LD) choice test and the Open-Field (OF) exploration test. Two series of studies with little technical differences, exploiting a total of 14 separate experiments, were carried out with Gelsemium, five complete experiments with Ignatia and four complete experiments with Aconitum. Results: In both series of experiments Gelsemium showed anxiolytic-like effects using both OF test (permanence and movement in centre area of field) and LD test (time spent in lit area and number of light-dark transitions). However, due to high variability of animal responses and possibly to some minor differences in protocols, those effects reached the threshold of statistical significance only in OF in the first series and only in LD in the second series. Cumulative analysis of the two series demonstrated a highly significant (p