Publication Type: Session Presentation
Abstract: Task-based approach, according to Nunan (2005), aims at providing opportunities for learners to explore a foreign language through learning activities which encourage the authentic, practical and functional use of language for meaningful purposes. This instructional approach has been recognized and sporadically adopted by instructors in the field of teaching Chinese as a foreign (CFL). However, task-based instruction (TBI) has rarely been systematically studied in terms of task nature, task types, conditions, and procedures with regard to CFL teaching, nor has it been thoroughly reported about its pedagogical effects in CFL. Our panel proposes to discuss the critical factors in TBI which affect the learner performance and consequently acquisition. Specifically, we will focus on four factors: 1. the nature of tasks such as narrative or argumentative, with or without linguistic device, and macro-structure; 2. task conditions such as one-way or two-way communication, with or without information gap; 3. task process with corrective measures such as recasting; and 4. task design and implementing procedures.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the cognitive motivation mechanism of university students. The university sample size was 136 (F=63.2% and M=36.8%). Motivation was explored via an expectancy value theory conceptualization utilizing the belief system, consisting of perceived competency and perceived probability of success. Next, examined was the need for achievement and goal setting mediated by the belief system variables on task intensity, a measure of level of involvement or motivation.
A two-stage analysis was conducted. First, a measurement model was created through factor analysis. A structural model was developed which described the process of motivation. Result indicate that females tends to be driven by need for achievement and goals; whereas, males tend to be driven by a perceived competence in the task. Notwithstanding this sub process, perceived competence predicts a need for achievement, which then influences goal formulation and, ultimately, task intensity.

Publication Type: Paper/Poster Proposal
Abstract: Card sorting tasks have been commonly used to measure issues of importance in market research. We sought to compare results that would be obtained when using a card sorting task with results using a more traditional rating scale in an online survey. Respondents were asked to indicate how often they consumed a series of 20 different foods or beverages. This served as criteria to determine the validity of the sorting task or rating scale. Respondents were then either asked to sort the 20 different foods into 1 of 5 categories which were labeled from 'Very much like' to 'Very much dislike' or were asked to indicate how much they liked each of the 20 different foods using a grid format.
We found some distributional differences due to task and, though the card sorting task took longer, we found little difference in the average correlation with the key criteria.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Over twenty-five years ago Johan Galtung informed us that, inthe pursuitof peace, there are "tasks for everybody." Since that time, throughbothpractice and research, the truth of his assertion is ever more apparent.Civil Society/Business is an option on the first page of the UN website.In"Multi-Track Diplomacy", Louise Diamond and John McDonald perceivegrowingpotential for Nine Track Diplomacy. Territorial governments that rangefromlocal to global are all confronted with international issues, asreflectedby the existence of the World Council of Mayors for Peace ThroughInter-city Solidarity, the International Council for Local EnvironmentalInitiatives (ICLEI), and other international organizations of localauthorities. As all people become ever more linked to worldwide social,economic and political processes in their daily life, they have need ofknowledge about opportunities, and responsibilities, that they have forshaping the role of their society in the world. This paper will make aneffort to contribute toward the development of this knowledge.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: The Master of Arts program (MAMT) in the Department of Mathematics at The University of Texas at Arlington (UT-Arlington) is designed for inservice teachers who are interested in strengthening their understanding of mathematics and enriching their mathematics teaching. The courses in the MAMT program simultaneously integrate rigorous mathematics, effective pedagogy, and mathematics education research on student learning. Tasks designed for the course “Mathematics-specific Technologies”—a core requirement for the MAMT program—will be presented. The course includes the study of many mathematics-teaching-related freeware programs, graphing calculators, Mathematica, and Sketchpad®. The author will focus upon the mathematical knowledge inservice teachers must use with fluency to complete these tasks and the power of using mathematics-specific technology as a vehicle for gaining insight into inservice teachers’ conceptual understanding of the mathematics they teach.