PRESERVICE TEACHER APPLICATION OF DIFFERENTIATED INSTRUCTION

Successfully implementing the practice of inclusion by differentiating instruction depends on both the skills and attitudes of general education teachers. New general education teachers who are entering the field are particularly vulnerable to the demands and stress of the profession, and teacher education programs must prepare preservice teachers to meet the needs of all students by teaching the skills needed to make appropriate lesson adaptations, accommodations, and modifications. This study investigates the manifestation of differentiation for special education students in work sample lesson plans written by preservice teachers working toward an elementary school credential. The research examined the nature, characteristics, and types of instructional adaptations included in the work samples prepared by a sample of preservice teachers resulting in six distinct themes and recommendations for teacher education programs.     

Early Literacy Measures for Improving Student Reading Achievement: Translating Research Into Practice

The importance of early literacy instruction and its role in later reading proficiency is well established; however, measures and procedures to screen and monitor proficiency in the area of early literacy are less well researched. The purpose of this study was to (a) examine the technical adequacy and validity of early curriculum-based literacy measures, Letter–Sound Correspondence, Onset Phoneme Identification, and Phoneme Segmentation, developed for use within the problem-solving model in the Minneapolis Public Schools and (b) describe the district-wide implementation of these measures. In general, these measures were found to have adequate reliability and validity, have moderate to moderately high correlations with criterion measures (oral reading, report cards), and be sensitive to growth across the school year. A case study of how these measures are used for screening and progress monitoring to improve reading achievement within 1 school is included. Limitations and future directions are also presented.     

Quality control in distance education: The role of regional accreditation

Abstract

Presidents wanting their institutions to maintain traditional educational primacy despite necessary changes occasioned by offerings made possible through technological innovations can rely upon the quality assurance mechanisms of their regional accrediting association. This article discusses how, by augmenting traditional standards as well as the process for their application, the associations address such areas as: the admission, promotion, and graduation of students; the availability of out‐of‐class services, including information resources; the integration of distance education programming into the institution as a whole; and public communication of the expectations, process, and results of distance education programming at an accredited institution.     

Urban information integration for advanced e-Planning in Europe

Urban planning is a complex task requiring multidimensional urban information (spatial, social, economic, etc.). The need for assistance in performing urban planning tasks has led to the rapid development of urban information systems, especially “e-Planning” systems, with the support of government policy and emerging information and communication technologies (ICT). In order to enhance the capability of e-Planning and to facilitate 3D visualization and rich analysis of complex city problems, it is very important to allow information from the various sources to be shared and integrated. This paper focuses on technical approaches for multidimensional information integration, especially spatial information integration. In particular it describes the Building Data Integration System (BDIS), developed as part of the IntelCities project, which demonstrates the type of multidimensional systems that are likely to be used in future urban information systems. Functionally, the BDIS demonstrates the feasibility of systems to support the multinational collaboration of construction professionals in the procurement and renovation of buildings. For such systems to be accepted in the United Kingdom (UK) and Europe, they need to be developed with regard to current planning information structures and standards in the UK and Europe which are reviewed in this paper. The achievements and further development of multidimensional information integration through the use of innovative urban data modelling techniques are discussed.     

The South Dakota Med-Fax network

Health sciences librarians established a statewide medical information network in South Dakota to provide rural physicians with database access and rapid document delivery. A private grant funded equipment for interactive simultaneous remote searching (ISRS) and telefacsimile transmission, as well as for a coordinator for training and follow-up support. In less than one year, telefacsimile technology has become an integral part of library information transfer among sixteen network sites, and ISRS is gaining acceptance among physicians who lack local access to online databases.     

Considerations for protein intake in managing weight loss in athletes

Abstract

A large body of evidence now shows that higher protein intakes (2–3 times the protein Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of 0.8 g/kg/d) during periods of energy restriction can enhance fat-free mass (FFM) preservation, particularly when combined with exercise. The mechanisms underpinning the FFM-sparing effect of higher protein diets remain to be fully elucidated but may relate to the maintenance of the anabolic sensitivity of skeletal muscle to protein ingestion. From a practical point of view, athletes aiming to reduce fat mass and preserve FFM should be advised to consume protein intakes in the range of ～1.8–2.7 g kg^?1 d^?1 (or ～2.3–3.1 g kg^?1 FFM) in combination with a moderate energy deficit (?500 kcal) and the performance of some form of resistance exercise. The target level of protein intake within this recommended range requires consideration of a number of case-specific factors including the athlete's body composition, habitual protein intake and broader nutrition goals. Athletes should focus on consuming high-quality protein sources, aiming to consume protein feedings evenly spaced throughout the day. Post-exercise consumption of 0.25–0.3 g protein meal^?1 from protein sources with high leucine content and rapid digestion kinetics (i.e. whey protein) is recommended to optimise exercise-induced muscle protein synthesis. When protein is consumed as part of a mixed macronutrient meal and/or before bed slightly higher protein doses may be optimal.