The Reconquest as Crusade in the Anonymous De expugnatione Lyxbonensi

De expugnatione Lyxbonensi, an intriguing account of the Christian capture of Lisbon in 1147 by a mixed force of visiting Crusaders and local Portuguese troops, offers the modern reader a unique insight into the reality of twelfth-century religious militancy. Because the anonymous author was himself one of the Crusaders, his impressions of the Portuguese are particularly illuminating. The rapid escalation of sectarian hostility throughout the Iberian peninsula during this period has generally been interpreted as a manifestation of external cultural influences. Events in Lisbon, however, present a different picture. Although the Portuguese attempted to accommodate their northern allies' religious fervour, they themselves sought to justify their aggression by claiming the far older right of reconquest. Yet beneath such protestations of religious sanction or legal legitimacy lay the more pragmatic aim of territorial expansion.     

Examining the impact of capital on academic achievement

While a growing body of literature on education production looks at the impact school inputs have on academic achievement, virtually no research is examining the impact capital is having on academic achievement. In this study, we take an initial step towards that end. By using school districts' level of bond indebtedness as a proxy for capital, we find evidence that capital stock does affect academic achievement. In light of these findings along with the general lack of research on capital inputs, we conclude that capital expenditures should be given greater attention in future research.     

Students' views of the roles of a University

The Filter, Human-Capital and Maturation hypotheses are taken as the starting point for an analysis of the roles of a University. Three separate Filter mechanisms are postulated, and the Filter as a whole shades into Human-Capital formation. Three Human-Capital roles are proposed: this area in turn merges into that of Maturation which can be viewed in two distinct ways. A student viewpoint, from a psychological perspective, is derived from the analysis of questionnaire responses of the whole of a first-year University entry (approximately 2,300 students). The roles referred to above appear out of the analysis. Students see the roles as having different importance: active Maturation/general HumanCapital and vocational Human-Capital are seen as the most important. However, there are differences which depend upon the degree that students are enrolled for. Broadly, the results indicate that Arts students see Maturation as being more important, while Commerce, Medical and Engineering students are more influenced by the vocational view; but the picture is not a simple one. A discussion of the trends for seven different degree groups is given.     

Validity Issues in Computer-Based Testing

Advances in technology are stimulating the development of complex, computerized assessments. The prevailing rationales for developing computer-based assessments are improved measurement and increased efficiency. In the midst of this measurement revolution, test developers and evaluators must revisit the notion of validity. In this article, we discuss the potential positive and negative effects computer-based testing could have on validity, review the literature regarding validation perspectives in computer-based testing, and provide suggestions regarding how to evaluate the contributions of computer-based testing to more valid measurement practices. We conclude that computer-based testing shows great promise for enhancing validity, but at this juncture, it remains equivocal whether technological innovations in assessment have led to more valid measurement.