Situating Computer Simulation Professional Development: Does It Promote Inquiry-Based Simulation Use?

ABSTRACT

This mixed-methods study sought to identify professional development implementation variables that may influence participant (a) adoption of simulations, and (b) use for inquiry-based science instruction. Two groups (Cohort 1, N = 52; Cohort 2, N = 104) received different professional development. Cohort 1 was focused on Web site use mechanics. Cohort 2 was situated in nature and provided three additional elements: (a) modeling simulation use within inquiry-based instruction; (b) collaboration; and (c) provision of content-relevant lesson planning time. There was no difference in the extent of simulation use between cohorts, χ²(1) = 0.878, p = .349, φ = ?0.075. Results were inconclusive for a difference in observed inquiry instruction as Fisher's Exact Test was insignificant but had a medium effect size, p = .228, φ = 0.283. Computer-based standardized tests emerged as a novel technology integration barrier. These findings have implications for school policy, professional development, and future research.     

Web search engine multimedia functionality

Web search engines are beginning to offer access to multimedia searching, including audio, video and image searching. In this paper we report findings from a study examining the state of multimedia search functionality on major general and specialized Web search engines. We investigated 102 Web search engines to examine: (1) how many Web search engines offer multimedia searching, (2) the type of multimedia search functionality and methods offered, such as “query by example”, and (3) the supports for personalization or customization which are accessible as advanced search. Findings include: (1) few major Web search engines offer multimedia searching and (2) multimedia Web search functionality is generally limited. Our findings show that despite the increasing level of interest in multimedia Web search, those few Web search engines offering multimedia Web search, provide limited multimedia search functionality. Keywords are still the only means of multimedia retrieval, while other methods such as “query by example” are offered by less than 1% of Web search engines examined.     

提高西藏黄奶牛生产性能研究

该项目是中澳国际联合的其中一个,根据发展奶业,促进农区畜牧业发展,提高农村生活水平的需要在西藏河谷流域农牧交错带开展调研.三年来在四个不同的区域进行随机抽样设点,了解项目区奶牛发展现状,系统收集分析当前农户饲养奶牛的饲料结构,营养水平、繁殖成活能力以及管理模式.同时引进澳方饲养奶牛的先进技术、管理措施和发展理念,有效利用西藏现有的作物秸秆,研发优良饲草、饲喂技术,进一步研究牛在一个生长周期中的饲料平衡、生长模式及量化营养等生产性能的对应关系,加大引创结合、重点突破,提高项目区奶牛生产性能,增加农户现金收入.     

Anatomical Sciences in Chiropractic Education: A Survey of Chiropractic Programs in Australia

Human anatomy knowledge is a core requirement for all health care clinicians. There is a paucity of information relating to anatomy content and delivery in Australian chiropractic programs. The aim of this study was to describe anatomy teaching in Australian chiropractic programs, utilizing a survey which was distributed to all four programs, requesting information on: anatomy program structure, delivery methods, assessment, teaching resources, and academic staff profile at their institution. The survey was undertaken in 2016 and documented practices in that academic year. All four institutions responded. There was a reported difference in the teaching hours, content, delivery and assessment of anatomy utilized in Australian chiropractic programs. Anatomy was compulsory at all four institutions with the mean total of 214 (SD ± 100.2) teaching hours. Teaching was undertaken by permanent ongoing (30%) and sessional academic staff, and student to teacher ratio varied from 15:1 to 12:1. A variety of teaching resources were utilized, including human tissue access, either as prosected cadavers or plastinated body parts. The results of this survey confirm that anatomy has an established place in chiropractic education programs in Australia and while curricular variations exist, all programs had similar course design, delivery, and assessment methods. This study confirmed the provision of a strong foundation in topographical anatomy and neuroanatomy, while other anatomical sciences, such as histology and embryology were not consistently delivered. Formalization of a core anatomy curriculum together with competency standards is needed to assist program evaluation and development, and for accreditation purposes.     

Utilisation of an online forum to engage adolescents with autism in direct participation in qualitative research

Difficulties with social communication may present challenges in gathering data from individuals with autism in research. To encourage individuals with autism to participate directly in research, methods that allow for autistic symptomology should be considered. An online forum was developed to enable adolescents with autism to share their social experiences. Ten female adolescents with autism, aged 12 to 19, engaged with the forum over 12 weeks. Questions were posted weekly and data were collected on the frequency of participant responses, quality of responses, and participants' engagement with each other. Data indicated that the frequency and quality of participants' responses were high, and participants' engagement with each other facilitated the introduction of new topics. The online forum was an effective tool for adolescents with autism to have direct participation in research. It offers promise in future studies as a practical research tool that accommodates the social communication challenges of individuals with autism.     

The good,the bad,and the unexpected: Violating audience expectations in Clint Eastwood’s speech at the 2012 Republican National Convention

Courses: Communication Theory, Nonverbal Communication, Public Speaking

Objective: At the end of this activity, students should be able to define key components of expectancy violations theory and apply the theory to analyze violations that occurred in Clint Eastwood’s speech at the 2012 Republican National Convention.