Technology with Cognitive and Mathematical Fidelity: What it Means for the Math Classroom

Technology according to the National Council of Mathematics plays a special role in teaching and learning mathematics. Technology when used effectively can deepen mathematical understanding and lead to greater abstraction. But, not all uses of technology lead to this desired result. Defining cognitive and mathematical fidelity and using it to determine which Web-based formats lead to greater generalizing and abstraction will help in understanding why interactive math objects empower teachers to build a better, deeper understanding of math concepts.     

Who reads nonfiction?

A survey of readers of nonfiction estimates the size of the market, compares the demographics of the survey group to those of readers of “literature,” and describes the respondents' reading habits: how much they read, what other kinds of books they read, what magazines they read, and where they read. It then examines how these readers select books and what influences their choices. Their reasons for reading serious nonfiction are also explored. Finally, these readers are compared with two other groups that have been studied in depth: readers of romance novels and female readers of self-help books. Beth Luey is director of the Scholarly Publishing Program at Arizona State University and author of Handbook for Academic Authors (3rd ed., Cambridge University Press, 1995)     

Philosophy and the museum: An introduction to the special issue

This paper introduces the special issue by explaining the context of the conference at which the papers were originally presented, suggesting some ways of thinking about the intersection of philosophy and museums, and briefly introducing each paper in the collection. In the main body of the paper I look at a recent trend in museum interpretation and argue that it can be understood in terms of a definition of the museum as a space of representation and space of difference. I go on to suggest that this definition allows us to think of the museum as liberating us from certain ways of thinking. The paper as a whole suggests that philosophy can help us to think about museums, and that museums can contribute to philosophical thinking.     

A Meta‐Analysis of Empirical Research on Teaching Students with Mathematics Learning Difficulties

This article quantitatively summarizes experimental and quasi‐experimental studies on teaching students with mathematics difficulties (MD) published between 2000 and 2014, research that was available following earlier syntheses. It reports the analysis of effect sizes of 25 intervention studies on participant characteristics, intervention parameters, domains of mathematics interventions, and instructional approaches and components. Results indicate that several participant characteristics (e.g., grade level and level of mathematics difficulties) and intervention parameters (e.g., methodological soundness, intervention agent, and grouping) mediated the treatment effects. In addition, different types of instructional approaches and several instructional components contributed to the improvements in mathematics performance in students with MD.     

The Uses and Gratifications of Media Migration: Investigating the Activities,Motivations, and Predictors of Migration Behaviors Originating in Entertainment Television

Increasingly, media consumers follow entertainment across media; migrating from one medium to the next seeking to fulfill different needs. Using survey methods (N = 444), this exploratory research examines the underlying elements of media migration by studying the uses and gratifications of migration behavior. Specifically, findings of this survey identify migration activities, motivations, and predictors of migration. Results suggest that several of the top migration activities are strongly tied to Internet use. Findings indicate that media migration is motivated by different needs, including entertainment, escape, enlightenment, and more content-congruent exposure. Finally, amidst various predictors, the need for content-congruent exposure emerged as a strong predictor of migration.     

International Representations of Inclusive Education: How is Inclusive Practice Reflected in the Professional Teaching Standards of China and Australia?

Inclusive education focuses on addressing marginalisation, segregation and exclusion within policy and practice. The purpose of this article is to use critical discourse analysis to examine how inclusion is represented in the education policy and professional documents of two countries, Australia and China. In particular, teacher professional standards from each country are examined to determine how an expectation of inclusive educational practice is promoted to teachers. The strengthening of international partnerships to further support the implementation of inclusive practices within both countries is also justified.     

Leading the Library (When You're Not in Charge)

Fundamentals of leadership, management, and psychology take center stage in the business world but are often neglected in library training. By applying basic business principles to enhance our leadership skills, we can become more purposeful, organized, innovative, impactful, and successful as librarians, even if we’re not in charge. Drawing on the work of thought leaders in business and librarianship, this article explores the importance, practical implementation, and benefit of casting vision, planning strategically, managing projects, rejecting passivity, building teams, and implementing accountability.     

Entertainment We Watch and Entertainment We Appreciate: Patterns of Motion Picture Consumption and Acclaim Over Three Decades

An analysis of 582 film titles spanning the years from 1980 to 2010 was conducted to examine the attributes and characteristics that predicted both viewership (e.g., box-office revenues) and critical acclaim (e.g., awards, audience ratings). Overall, viewership was highest for action/adventure films and lowest for dramas. In contrast, acclaim was highest for more dramatic fare, and for films that featured dark, contemplative, and emotional themes. The results are discussed in terms of the entertainment gratifications reflecting both enjoyment and appreciation.